Events

Orde Meikle and Stuart McMillan together as Slam are a story that spans three decades and now woven into the fabric of Glasgow’s clubbing society. Together with promoter Dave Clarke they shared a passion for music starting with soul weekenders, punk and reggae through to the Clash and early acid house at Glasgow’s Sub Club. By the late 80’s Slam had already picked up the baton, holding residency at the Legendary Slam @ Tin Pan Alley using basic flyers with “enjoy Slam”, nicking the Coke ad font and “Never Mind the Bollocks here’s Slam”, borrowing from Jamie Reid and the Sex Pistols. Full of acid house enthusiasm, Slam produced Glasgow’s first all-night rave. With coaches coming up from the Hacienda, 808 State playing live and the police having to shut the streets off after thousands couldn’t get in.

DJ bookings across the U.K. And Europe followed, including the Hacienda in 1989 and Ibiza 90 with Weatherall & Farley, as did a residency at the Sub Club and a series of all night raves , starting with Slam all-nighter at the SECC in March 1990 joined by Adamski Live, Jon Da Silva and Beats International aka Norman Cook (fat boy slim). It was however a night in September 1990 in a huge tent in a country park 8 miles from Glasgow city centre where for many it really all came together!!! The first thing that hit you was the size of the tent then the bass booming and when walking in you were confronted by the best laser show anyone had witnessed before. Derrick May, Jon Da Silva, Together live, Alex Patterson aka the Orb and of course headliners 808 State joined Slam for the most pivotal event Scotland had ever experienced, “Slam in the Park”.
Following that Slam launched their Soma record label, and their legendary residency the Arches began. Soma celebrates its 20th anniversary this year and Pressure and the Slam tent at T in the Park are still going strong with Slam continuing to hold residencies at the Sub club, Arches and Fabric in London, while recording and releasing cutting edge techno and house music.