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Billed as the sexiest thing to happen in the North East since The Futureheads picked up guitars and the coolest thing to happen in Darlington EVER, it sounds like something worth getting excited about. Drowned in Sound caught up with promoters Becky Stefani and Nikki Vaughan to ask them a few questions about the night...
Club Strut - where is it, what will happen there, who's involved and how often will it take place?
Club Strut is at The Forum on Borough Road in Darlington - the place where rock 'n' roll grime meets café bar loveliness! Cool staff, cheap drinks and nice décor. It's going to be an indie night but in the best, most exciting possible sense - the best indie electro punk new wave rock 'n' roll party you've ever been to! It started because i've wanted to start an e-zine for ages so me and Nikki set up Shoot From The Lip and then decided to put on a club night to go with it - and Club Strut was born. It's a monthly event - the second Thursday of every month - but we're doing some special one off shows too for touring bands if they can't make that date.
Where did the name come from?
We just thought it summed up the idea of a foxy, indie punk night pretty well - it's the complete antithesis to 'scruffy boys watching other scruffy boys play' type indie nights.
Does the Darlington scene particularly need Club Strut?
There isn't much of a Darlington scene so I'd say yes. There's some cool bands here and some cool, passionate people but compared to somewhere like Stockton or Middlesbrough which are both absolutely buzzing at the moment, Darlington is a bit left behind. The problem has been that until the Forum opened last May there wasn't really a decent sized venue for people to play here, but that's all changed since The Forum opened.
What's the battle plan? Are you hoping to grow a scene/showcase bands/just make something - anything - happen?
Really we just want to organise cool events and bring exciting new bands to Darlington. Get a party happening here! In the past whenever something cool has happened in Teesside people have had to go to Middlesbrough or Stockton and get taxis back and stuff so we just thought, 'This is not on! We shall start something in Darlington and save on taxi fares!' The Long Blondes and Snow White are playing at our launch and then we've got Havana Guns, Forward Russia, Art Brut and Neils Children for the coming months so it's all good!
How can people get involved?
If they want to write for the e-zine, help us with promotion or play at one of the nights they can email us at shootfromthelip@hotmail.com or if you just want a nosy at what we're up to then check out shootfromthelip.co.uk
Launch Night
Thursday 9th June with The Long Blondes and Snow White
Doors: 8pm, Damage: £4
