Studio 21 : the discreet nature of the sign conjures visions of some pornographic den, beneath flights of stairs. But the music emerging from the speaker positioned above the entrance is The Human Leaugue´s ´The Path Of Least Resistance´.
Every pleasure has its price. For this you part company with 2.45 pounds, sign your name, wich automatically registers you as a member, collect your meal ticket ( this entitles you to a plate of about a dozen chips, a beefburger and a dollop of relish) and descend the stairs to the basement 4 Be 2´ ´One Of The Lads´.
This is the Saturday night residence of God´ nocturnal pretty-ugly things. Gathered in groups under red lighting, observing and waiting to be observed. Doesn´ t matter if you´re male or female, here you can be what you want and nobody gives a toss. the wilder the better : these barnets are contructed with the same architectural precision as nearby Centrepoint.
Joy Division´s ´She´s Lost Control´. A drink in the bar area - larger 80p a pint, spirits 70p a tot - not as extortionate as you might expect - then into the disco chamber. Barely sweating bodies twitch the night away to anything that sounds credibly posey . Telex to T. Rex, Roxy Music to Manicured Noise. The D.J. spot rotates beteween Dave Archer who tries hard to be noticed and fails, and Jock McDonald, who tries hard and succeds.
The air is strong with the stench or stale hair spray and desodorant. The dancers hld hands and slide to and fro careful not to dishevel a hair on their heads. The atmosphere is friendly, even if there is a certain rivalry beteween the ´odd couples´
For every Clark Gable there´s two David Bowies. Magazine´s ´Back To Nature´.
At 2.30 the music slows down. Cabs queue outside for the homeward bound. The clientele of Studio 21 appreciate more tham most the dangers of walking home
words - VAUGHN TOULOUSE
photos - VIRGINIA TURBETTI
september 1980 - THE FACE
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