The Money Shot

The Money Shot was an all day charity gig for World Aids Day, raising money for the Terrance Higgins trust. They managed to make over £1000 by the end of the day. Highlights included Captain Howdy’s Flying Circus, Bogus Gasman, Defcon Zero and MaxDmyz. Despite running out of time at the end it was a great day and there was a good turn out – the crowd were friendly and in high spirits. The day finished with King Lizard and Captain Howdy swinging above the stage. This turned out well and was an impressive scene to watch. It was a thoroughly enjoyable day and the bar kept flowing all day. If it hadn’t have been a Sunday the turn out may have been even greater.

Also present were a photographer, Marcus T, and the director Sergio Bejares with a second unit cameraman so Subversion will try and bring you some of the results. They are planning to return at the beginning of 2008 to raise money for another cause. Well worth checking out – it is for charity after all!

Subversion managed to get an exclusive interview with Dave Disaster (event organiser) in the bath.

You sound echoey are you in the bath?

After this weekend I really need a good long soak!

What made you decide to run The Money Shot?

A friend of mine, Geordie, proposed the idea and thanks to my experience asked me to help organise and co-promote the event. Our original plan was for a 3 day mini festival doing a different style of music each day but as it was already close to World Aids Day we were unable to get a venue, luckily Allen TG, who I've worked with before, agreed to provide the venue for free and so we compressed it into a one day event of punk, metal and burlesque, freak show and comedy - a sort of rock and roll variety show, if you will.

How difficult was it to organise?

Amazing simple, everyone I've spoken to has been incredibly generous and supportive - its easily the nicest experience of promoting I've ever had!

How do you think the day went?

Overall I’m really pleased. it was understandably quiet early in the afternoon, which was a real shame for the early bands like Kid Kamikaze who really deserve the exposure - they have been on board from day one and have been so supportive. With so much on we did run into trouble with scheduling, which meant we had to miss out on Jason Rouse, Chrys Columbine and Avoidance of Doubt. This was absolutely devastating for me, especially when we'd done so well earlier at keeping to our times. But they all took it in incredibly good grace and I wouldn’t hesitate to book them or recommend them to anyone. I just took it on the chin and got on with the gig...

Of course the real purpose of a benefit gig is to raise funds, and I’m very proud of the fact that the creative community in London and their supporters rallied round to raise over £1000 on soggy Sunday.

What were your personal highlights?

Musically it had to be seeing Bogus Gasman - I’ve known the signer since he was a 14 year old skater in Greenwich (sorry Liam!) and hadn’t seen them since they were a young punk band playing 10 second songs, to see them as a fully fledged Ska outfit with brass section getting the crowd skanking was a great moment. They could well give the King Blues a run for their money so Itch [The King Blues singer] you'd better watch your back!
Performance wise it has to be Captain Howdy's Flying Circus they always deliver the goods and get an incredible reaction from the crowd - the dance floor was definitely at its busiest during their performance and as for Captain Howdy himself swinging about from meat hooks in his back over the head of King Lizard as they played, well, what can I say? That was the money shot baby!

What are your plans for the future?

Immediately I’m heading for Berlin for a well-earned break and nosing round the scene there. Possibly do some DJing. Event wise I’ve got Madness and Magic on 28th December and Plus One club on 29th December coming up but I guess what your really after is the fact that I'm already planning "The Money Shot's Brass Balls" for next spring.

Any ideas of which charity you may support for next time?

I’m thinking about one or two charities that are quite close to me who I've both had involvement with. One is Links India, who work with orphans and disabled children in remote Northern India close to Nepal. The other is Anno's Africa who have provided Arts education to kids in one of the most deprived schools in the world, who have otherwise had no exposure in their lives to the hope and inspiration that creativity can bring. The effect this fledgling project has already had is truly a thing to behold.
Thank you for taking the time to talk to us.

Not a problem. If I may, I'd just like to thank everyone who was involved or supported us in any way.