The Miss Moneypenny’s and Chuff Chuff creator and resident DJ – Jim Shaft Ryan talks to us about his time at one of the most fashionable and memorable clubs the world has ever seen…
A big Chuff Chuff party coming up on November 16th for your Ride The Seven Seas splash. Your Chuffers are legendary for being the most opulent events in dance music for over a decade. Tell us your highlights from some of the parties. And please don’t mention me walking to the reception completely naked in Harrogate after losing my key at silly o’clock in the morning.!
“Seeing celebs from Soapland, Reality TV and Sport world mingling with clubbers and no one taking a blind bit of notice of them. Steve McFaddon staring aimlessly at the Chuff Chuff dancers. Charlie Chester and Tim Jeffrey getting Dermot so wasted after one of the parties he thought he was going to die and demanded the last rites. Nicky Holloway landing in a helicopter surrounded by a bunch of beautiful young ladies. Nicky Holloway having an argument with his wife and screaming over the bar “All I ever did was love you”. At one of our stately home events (because of the heat) all the oil paintings melting. Someone drawing a moustache on an expensive painting at another stately home party.”
So why the name Chuff Chuff?
“The name came about as a result of a flyer that was created for the first boat trip we did in ’87. The event had a stupid name ‘Rave On The Wave’. The guy who did the flyer for us, Rob Johnson, drew a little steam boat with the words Chuff Chuff coming out of the funnel, the name stuck as a result.”
Best DJs you’ve had on?
“Over the years almost every big name has graced the Chuff Chuff decks. Early days Sasha’s sets’ were always very special, Mark Moore always played interesting sets. Gordon Kaye was an exceptional talent, should have been massive, Tony De Vit’s first set was memorable, Oaky will always be remembered for his music for offering to drive punters in his car when we over-booked the coach, Norman Jay for being Mr Eclectic and ruling the second room for years, I could go on and on and on…”
You’re renowned for your themes and have your clubbers turn up in outfits they must have spent a fortune on. What do you think have been your best themed ideas.
“Any Chuff that allows Dermot to drag out his Elvis costume, mind you, that has been pretty much every one over the years.”
Ibiza has been marvellous for you yet again – best Ibiza moments?
“Doing a back to back with Kevin from Hoxton Whores. I caught up with him at Ibiza Rocks before the gig where Kev insisted we finish a bottle of Hierbas between us. The perfect remedy for pre set nerves!”
What DJs do you still enjoy jigging your bum to?
“Norman Jay and Carl Cox always does it for me. I enjoyed hearing Rampling play at Pacha last year. The funky room in Pacha with Matt Caselli and Graham Sahara. Obviously my own residents Jeff Jefferson and Ken Fan too.”
Why do you think nobody has ever taken on the legend that is Chuff Chuff event wise?
“The main reason is the fact that Chuff has been around since the start and as a result has the respect of the industry, all the jocks want to play it, everyone has a special place in their hearts for Chuff…”
What music got you grooving as a kid?
“I’m a child of the 70s – my early heroes were T-Rex, Bowie, Roxy Music which evolved into punk rock. I was fortunate enough to see The Clash, Boomtown Rats, Blondie etc. in a club called the Barbarellas.”
What are your big tunes of the moment?
The Zoned Out Remix of Hannah C’s ‘Stop Me’, Sandy Rivera’s remix of Silky Sunday’s ‘Friend’ and Hardsoul’s Remix of Michael Canitrot’s ‘Feel The Spirit, Marco Petralia ‘Once In A Lifetime’.
So, explain, the big Moneypenny’s split – what happened exactly?
“Mick was run out of England because of his bad dress sense, Derm is in the process of having a sex change and becoming the first female Elvis and Lee has smoked himself into oblivion. I’ve been left to pick up the pieces…”
Puerto Banus good this summer?
“We have had a presence in Marbella for ten years – this year has been a bit more hands on with Mick living over there and has added an extra element that has helped the event to have a little bit more of the personal touch.”
Have you ever gone to a Chuff Chuff in fancy dress?
“I always dress up for Chuff but try to be fairly subtle in my approach. Mind you, the last Chuff was Super Heroes and I pushed the boat out a little by going as John Lennon, one of my super heroes.”
What has been the craziest costume anyone has ever worn at a Chuff Chuff event?
“I remember one fella turning up as Jesus Christ in a loin cloth crown of thorns and tied to a cross. Six naked girls in harnesses pulling Caesar’s chariot at the ‘Roman Orgy sticks in my mind too.”
What are you most looking forward to the most at Chuff Chuff in November? I hope you have a late check out organised for Brandon Block and Giles Peterson?
“Brandon will be his usual over the top self and with John Kelly joining him, I am sure they will be trying to outdo each other ’till they drop. They should know better at their respective ages! I always enjoy playing the last set as it’s a memorable and touching experience as the crowd always responds with warmth and love. I have been producing a vocalist called Hannah C and I’m throwing her in the deep end as she will be doing her first Live PA at Chuff but she is very talented singer so I am looking forward to experiencing the crowd’s reaction.”
How did the ‘Shaft’ part of your name come about?
“In the words of Issac Hayes track ‘Shaft’…”Who’s the cat that won’t cop out. When there’s danger all about…Shaft. That’s me. I fancied myself in the lead role of the movie but Samuel L Jackson was offered the part instead. I always wanted a double barrelled name.”
What’s next for Jim Shaft Ryan…
Hopefully a Radio 1 Essential Mix, it’s about time they sorted me out after all these years. Also Miss Moneypenny’s album release in the US and Australia before Christmas, and developing the brand in those territories. Moving my ‘Zoned Out’ project on, over the last year we have produced and remixed some of the biggest names in popular music. Continuing to DJ all over spreading the musical message according to JSR. Developing my record label, we have recently got ourselves on all the download sites after dropping our aggregator.”
Chuff Chuff the world’s most opulent, flamboyant and longest running party is press ganging all you busty wenches and salty sea dog on Sunday November 16th in the year of Our Lord 2008 for its Ride The Seven Seas event to be held at Alton Towers
Join the good ship Chuff Chuff as she embarks on the ultimate voyage of hedonistic discovery as she escapes to a magical world of Swashbuckling Heroes, Swooning Mermaids, and Mutinous Land Lubbers. Discover a Treasure Chest of Long John Silvers, Black Beards, Jack Sparrows, Captain Bloods, Sinbads, Molly Maes, Charlotte De Berrys, Deck Hands, Scrubbers and Pirate Queens and claim your Pieces of Eight for the Party to storm all other Parties.
‘We sail the ocean blue, Knowin’ our hearts be true, In the storm we roam
Under the ocean foam, We breach the star, that haunts afar, Pirates of the sea. Aye, we be’
All hands on deck to raise the mighty Chuff Chuff rigging, with a first class line up with 3 Islands of music, including Treasure Island, Mutiny Bay and the Smugglers Cove stormed by the likes of DJ’s such as Radio 1’s Judge Jules and Gilles Peterson, plus the much in-demand Micky Slim and the Hoxton Whores. There’s the classic bad boys of the dex, Brandon Block and John Kelly including acts from contortionists, swordswallowers, clubfreaks, exotic dancers and many more, all overseen by the Chuff Chuff resident and Pirate King, Jim “Shaft” Ryan. The Pirate King also welcomes two fo his favourite Live entertainers, Peyton, singing his chart-topping smash ‘Till You Come Back To Me’ signed to Miss Moneypenny’s Music and Hannah C performing her first single, ‘Stop Me’, taken from her new album, produced by Jim ‘Shaft’ Ryan’s production collective Zoned Out.
Going Global – Treasure Island
The Pirate King – Jim ‘Shaft’ Ryan
Judge ‘Cuthroat’ Jules
Captain Micky Slim
Jeff ‘Sparrow’ Jefferson
Alex ‘Swashbuckling’ Schmitz
Stowaways – Lowie & Jack
Dave(y) ‘Jones Locker’ Thatcher
Steve ‘Peg Leg’ Umbers
Classique – Mutiny Bay
Brandon ‘Buccaneer’ Block
Long John Kelly
Hoxton ‘One Eyed’ Whores
Rue – ‘The Cabin Boy’
Anton ‘Sinbad’ Powers
Mike ‘Man Friday’ Manzella
Soul Vison – Smugglers Cove
Gilles ‘Pop Up Pirate’ Peterson (Radio 1)
Adam ‘Jolly Roger’ Regan (Leftfoot)
The Admiral – Dj Oz
Stowaways – All Good & Big Love
Steve ‘Scowling’ Young
Live PAs
Peyton
Hannah C
“Chuff Chuff Rides The Seven Seas” promises to be one of the UK’s nights to remember with its amazing Alton Towers location. Three rooms of sonic delights playing everything from current global rocking beats to classic house, and with a soulful, eclectic, “anything goes” third arena. The longest running most exclusive and hedonistic house music event in the world keeps the quality high, satisfying all your parties needs with some of the most experienced and exciting newcomer DJ’s in the business. Those seeking to join the good ship Chuff Chuff need to be quick off the mark as ticket & room packages start at £110*, which includes Entry to the Ride The Seven Seas event, hotel accommodation, based on 4 people sharing plus Entry to the After-party. And for those sea dogs and damsels that fancy some extras, Chuff Chuff have got lots on board including a Day spa and water park availability. There is also a Limited Amount of Themed Suites available. Remember to throw that Monday (sea) sickie well in advance as this is going to be one of those unforgettable events – all high jinks and jolly japers to some of the best music around. Ahoy me hearties…
Listings Info
Event: “Chuff Chuff Rides The Seven Seas”
Date: Sunday November 16th
Venue: Alton Towers Staffordshire
Times: 2.30pm – 7 am (16 and a half hours clubbing)
Info Line: 0121-693-6960
Web: www.miss-moneypennys.com
Ticket & Room Packages: £110* in advance from www.miss-moneypennys.com or by calling 0121-693-6960
