Manchester Scenewipe

MCR Scenewipe Meets….Underachievers, Please Try Harder

Friday, January 14th, 2011, 9:00 am

When Underachievers first started up at The Rampant Lion Basement back in 2008, we were in the middle of the dance floor attempting to break dance in a Dave Benson Phillips Mask. 3 years on, our favourite clubnight has become an indie institution. We caught up with founder, Dave Bassinder, to get the low down on the mighty Underachievers!!!

For those who don’t know Underachievers Please Try Harder, who are you, and what do you do?

Underachievers are myself – Dave Bassinder, my good lady – Kirsty Maguire, and a friend of ours, Emma Tillyer. Others have come and gone (amicably), so it could also be called Dave and whoever is kind enough to tolerate his obsessions, but this has been the settled line-up for over a year, so i’m no Mark E Smith yet (I hope). We host a twice-monthly alternative clubnight, and put on a separate gig floor as part of this. We are also part of the Postcards From Manchester collective of promoters.

What made you start the now influential clubnight?

I started Underachievers because I left Manchester after Uni, went away for awhile and when I came back I didn’t relate to anything going on at all. It was 2008 and electro-clash was in and it seemed all the indie DJs were trading their guitars for synths. I wanted something that people could feel a part of and feel involved in. Something that was interesting and different musically, yet wasn’t taken itself too seriously either. I wanted people to hear that one song a night they wouldn’t elsewhere, because in these days of internet sharing, I really don’t think alot of what people class as obscure music, actually is.

Founder, Dave Bassinder, taking a break from the wheels of steel with a little dance.

How has underachievers grown or changed over the years?

Underachievers has changed alot in the last 3 years, but we still get many of the same folk coming from the early days, so I like to think it hasn’t lost it’s core values. It’s more professional definitely, and isn’t just 30 mates having a house party any more. It’s grown way beyond what I ever intended, but in the best way possible, which is as a cult. It’s not had to compromise on anything, and just evolved naturally.

We added the bands because all I heard from bands at the time was tales of woe from Manchester gigs. The bands are now a massive part of the night’s credibility, and we get them contacting from all over. I don’t think we would have survived without them. As fun as doing a good alternative disco is, it’s not as rewarding as seeing bands grow through the night. That’s the magic and what really excites me about promoting. I want people to look back in 5-10 years and say ‘shit, I remember that night at that place that used to be in town…gone now, they had Mazes and Brown Brogues play one time. It was 3 quid in.’

You are renowned for your house party atmospheres and incredible free masks! Any special memories that have stuck with you since your humble beginnings at the Rampant Lion?

Haha, yeah, quite a few. The first masks were the best. It was all the evil brainchild of our former flyer designer, Binks. He thought we should copy the Vic and Bob George Michael skit with Princess Di. Di evolved to Elton too, and even a couple of Burrell’s. We created a monster, but people loved them. I had to kill it when we moved to Saki, as I could just see it becoming way too much of a gimmick. I just remember seeing someone run through the Rampant beer garden one night with Di stuck to his crotch, Elton on the back and shouting ‘wooh.’ This is when line’s get crossed!

A Scenewipe family snap taken at an early days Underachievers night. Standard DBP mask.

What music are you most excited about today in Manchester?

I am excited about a lot of new bands, much more than those making the sound polls. Manchester-wise I am looking forward to more releases by Young British Artists, Weird Era, Driver Drive Faster, The ABC Club, Milk Maid, Patterns, Ghost Outfit, Help Stamp Out Loneliness, Golden Glow, Deaf To Van Gogh’s Ear and The Louche FC. Elsewhere some of my favourites are Eagulls, Mammal Club, Runaround Kids, Just Handshakes (We’re British). Gig wise, I cannot wait for Sounds From The Other City again, and to team up with the Postcards From Manchester collective.

Weird Era ‘Summer Heights’

Louche F.C. ‘Motorcycle-Au-Pair-Boy’

What does the year ahead hold for underachievers?

As for us, erm, hopefully people talking about the gigs and the dancing again and not our venue issues! It’s all at Gullivers from now on, and seems to be working very well. As sad as the demise of Saki was, the dream’s over. The best venues are often those that come and go anyway. We have some really strong line-ups planned from now until April already. Bands like Mitchell Museum coming down from Glasgow who I absolutely love, and Tender Trap who released one of my favourite albums of last year.

We’re also launching an Underachievers ale at Gullys. The plan is for it to be light, golden, with a kick in the balls when you least expect it!

For details of Underachievers upcoming events and clubnights, visit http://www.underachieversclub.co.uk