Slinky feat. Scott Bond & Dave Lea @ Patinum 11-12-05

Sunday nite felt like I had returned "HOME". I've been doing the GC Club scene for - let's just say, in comparison to some of you - almost a lifetime.  The last time I had stepped foot in a Night Club on the Coast has been well over 2 years. The last time I stepped into the venue that is now Platinum, was ~ an entire decade ago - yep 10 years!!!

Up until now, there's not been an adequate anticipation or temptation to even venture down to Broadbeach (I'm a Coast gal), to check out what the fuss with Platinum was all about.  But many of my friends, that are fledglings in the Industry, and the grapevine of who's who, what they do, and the positives I've read (posted on the ITM forum) about the revived venue and the stakeholders involved, with the recent artists that have been attracted - curiosity got the better of me.

It was the launch of Sunday nights @ Platinum - with Sasha the first billing, which was to be my entree back (but unfortunately I couldn’t make it).  I was NOT missing out this time - NOT a chance in hell, nothing was going to stop me seeing Dave Lea again (which is now into the finger count of my second hand), to show support and appreciation of his hard work that is the Slinky empire - he's also a very down to Earth man - maybe something about the British lads!

So I've rocked up with some fellow groovers and close friends, bout 10:30ish - Broadbeach was fairly quiet and at this point the plasticity, the insects, vermin, and all other undesirables had cleared out - after all it was Sunday!!  Greeted at the red-carpet door entry by friendly security to show my ID was really who I am, walking down the mirror-lined staircase of the foyer - I felt very comfortable and had a nice feeling of déja-vu - a kind of welcome back Mel type feeling!!  Got to the reception, greeted by a female security staff member, who didn't need to, but pleasantly commented on my attire, I handed my $20 to the petite friendly cashier and certainly didn't expect to get $10 change.  I was gob smacked - $10 to enter a Slinky evening with TWO well-known, high-calibre Internationals.

I enquired about the membership that has been advertised on their website of late, and also the $$ for the Boxing Day gig of Radio 1's long-time resident (Jules), and heir to the Turnmills (Live @ The Gallery) Super Club (Paul).  The cashier without losing face in not knowing this information, kindly called for someone in the know to assist with my enquiry.  A pleasant male who knew a thing or two about public relations (whom I'd never met before) filled me in on the details.  Delighted with having my query adequately addressed, I went through the all too familiar 'vault-like' doors, and was very impressed by the minor changes, but very up-to-date modern decor that was the interior of the main room of Platinum!!

There were more staff than punters adorning the lounge areas at this stage, and impressed with where the DJ booth was positioned - I had flashbacks from my days at The Tunnel & Mansion clubs with Tran-C on the decks; I had a generation ally!!  As I enjoyed the tunes, we ordered our first drinks and took position next to the booth, to look down over the dance floor and have good view of the Club interior.

At this stage there were a handful of your 'disco/night clubbers' who felt safe experimenting with different dance moves on the floor, feeling free & uninhibited in their innocence, as though imitating their favourite video clip dance routines!!  Come 11pmish & Syke got into the drivers’ seat of where he took over nicely with a pitch adjust and down tempo to reset the feeling for what he desired to do to get the decks into 2nd gear.  The mood was nice, I was sitting back chatting, observing all that was going on, enjoying the whole comfortable feeling, as my body started to sway with the tunes.

Not long after Dave had arrived - I must admit I was waiting for Scott's arrival first - he was straight into the DJ booth, where I had the chance to greet him, and enquire of his last couple of days, and of the whereabouts of his lovely partner.  As he got comfy in the place, now with probably about 30 patrons, Syke dropped Deep Dish's - Say Hello, a very timely tune to play on Dave's arrival, and it was the track that got me to my feet.

In a rather unassuming manner Dave stepped up & loaded the CDJ's - it was discs all the way, and has been by my observations of him this Tour.  Dave had just done Cairns the night before, and in the morning was heading to China for his last gig before finally heading back home after 3 & half weeks Touring; bright and quirky, though looking forward to a break, Dave did what had to be done - it's unusual he does the warm-up for his Headliner - he's THE Slinky closing man!!  Always putting together a great set, out of respect I pretty much danced most of the time, after changing from my heels to my flat comfy’s