The DJ and Producer who was one of the originators. S Express and his number one tune that changed things for ever, a prolific DJ that sets dancefloors alight wherever he goes and Elton John’s favourite DJ. Welcome Mark Moore…
“So obvious question first, ‘Theme From S’Express’- one of the the first and seminal dance records in dance music of all time… did you ever think, ‘wow, I’m starting something that’s going to explode here? And where did that tune come from’?
“Theme From S’Express’ was just a crazy little thing I made to play at my club nights like ‘Pyramid’ and The Mud Club. I had no expectations of it blowing up big time. I thought it deserved to, but it sounded far too strange at that point in time. It had influences from House to Disco but at the time, Disco was still a dirty word. I actually thought I may be chased ‘outta town for bringing back disco when it was still taboo. The only other people singing the praises of disco were the Pet Shop Boys although that was on a more Euro/High Energy tip. I was mortified when S’Express knocked them off the Number One spot!. The main sample was Rose Royce’s ‘Is It Love That You’re After’. I’ve always been a huge fan of Norman Whitfield productions. Obviously there were tons of other samples too. Other bits were original like the bassline etc.”
Tell us about your friendship / working relationship with William Orbit…
“I always loved William from his ‘Torch Song’ stuff. I couldn’t understand why he wasn’t huge at that time as he was (and still is) a genius. Not a word I use lightly! I tracked him down and phoned him. He said he was wondering how on earth to get into the dance world before I rang! I got him to remix ‘Hey Music Lover’. We then edited his mix over the phone! After that we worked on the S’Express track ‘Mantra For A State Of Mind’ and I asked him to do a bunch of remixes including Prince and Malcolm McClaren. He didn’t really need someone doing the mixes with him – he could have done them perfectly well by himself. Rightfully so, he blew up big time shortly after. He was always fun to work with, with a wonderful space-cadet edge to him. Haven’t seen him for a while and I miss our sessions and hanging out…”
Do you still you use a red telephone to DJ with as a headphone…and if so, why?
“I still have the phone. When I started DJing I had a big Eraserhead style quiff so headphones were out of the question. Hence the phone…”
You always admired composer Philip Glass, please explain…
“I was brought up on his work with his movie soundtracks like ‘Koyaanisqatsi’ and ‘Mishima’ and also getting stoned to ‘Music In Twelve Parts’! A journalist friend hooked as up and we met back stage at one of his concerts at The Royal Festival Hall. I took him out clubbing and to a rave which he loved. He fitted right in and didn’t seem out of place at all. A very cool guy and still very youthful of spirit.”
You’ve DJ’d for Grace Jones, The Scissor Sisters and Elton John – who have been the most bonkers?
“None of them are particularly bonkers but Grace is certainly a party girl. I was booked to DJ at her gig at the Brixton Academy in the mid 90s. I figured we’d meet and become friends. Other than on stage, I didn’t see her the whole night much to my dismay! Years later, my friend Dan Donovan brought her round to my house to watch The Oscars. He said “do you mind if I bring Grace” – I thought he meant my good friend Grace from round the corner, so I told him, “yeah she can come but tell her she can’t stay late as I have to get up early in the morning.” When she arrived she apologised profusely for intruding and sat on the floor next to me serving drinks and snacks which she had brought. She was the perfect guest and a wonderfully warm and witty person. We became friends after that and I suggested she sing ‘Trust In Me’ from The Jungle Book at Jarvis Cocker’s Meldown Festival. It brought the house down. I love going to her gigs and seeing her at work backstage. It has all the glamour of a Busby Berkeley musical but what amazes me is how her inner beauty is as huge as her outer beauty. I can’t sing her praises enough as both an artist and a person.”
I remember losing the plot and shaking my arse when you used to play such a wide collection of music from Soft Cell to Yello around London in the 80s, those were the days…what are your memories from that time…?
“Thank you Dan. Those were amazing times! We had no money and lived hand to mouth, but you knew those were the most exciting times of our life when anything could happen. You could be at ‘Pyramid’ in Heaven one week and be discovered by Japanese talent scouts, the next week you’d be in Tokyo modeling. It felt like every week someone you knew from the club’s was getting famous and appearing on Top Of The Pops. Steve Strange with Visage, Boy George and Culture Club, Spandau Ballet, George Michael – it made you feel like anything was possible – you wouldn’t be starving and homeless for long!”
The club night ‘Sign of The Times’ were you played at, crazy huh?
“Fantastic stuff – brought a bit of that dressing up vibe back to the clubs after the dress-to-sweat look of Acid House.”
What is the weirdest place you’ve ever woken up after a big one?
“A crack house on the outskirts of London! I was on Ketamine. I’ve no idea what I was doing there. Ridiculous!”
Which artists rocked your world as a kid?
“Siouxsie & The Banshees, David Bowie, Joy Division (used to go see them in the Moonlight pub in West Hampstead)”
Favourite pop icon of all time…
“Siouxsie, Grace, Bowie and Peaches”
Who is the most famous person on your mobile phone?
“Some of the people mentioned above are in there.”
Can you believe this dance music world has lasted over 20 years?
“I know! Over 30 years if you include disco…”
Which celebrity you have ever met have you and thought, what an absolute…
“Katie Price was a bit bitchy when I met her but I think it’s because she was expecting me to be bitchy, so I didn’t take it personally.”
Favourite tune of alllllllllll time?
“Odyssey ‘Native New Yorker’.”
What fashion designers do you rate at the moment?
“Kim Jones, Gareth Pugh and Vivienne Westwood – always!”
What’s coming up for Mr Mark Moore?
“My remixes of Chanty Poe ‘Weekend Cruise’ and Soft Cell ‘Chips On My Shoulder’ should be out about now. I’m also working on new tracks and a new
S’Express single for Kitsuné.”
Sign of The Times returns on Saturday November 29th at Sin, Andre Borde Street/Tottenham Court Road, W1, London 9-6am. With DJs Mark Moore, Justin Roberton, Rocky & Diesel, Terry Farley, Finbarr, The Loose Cannons, Don Letts, Steve Proctor and Jon Jo.
