Pam's House
Divided by decades, the respective stories of Messrs Banthorpe and Rampling echo each other in the quest to share with the UK their Ibizan findings of house music to a crowd thirsty for an original night out.
The tale of Danny Banthorpe's rise to notoriety as the most successful promoter in the region and the Daddy of the legendary Pam's House brand starts just as the best stories do - from humble beginnings. With Pam's House hitting its teenage years this month, we look back at the birth of East Anglia's biggest party…
The birthplace of Pam's House wasn't a house at all, but rather a flat, which not only housed the original promoters, but acted as a shrine to that most buxom of beauties, Pamela Anderson. With such love for the Baywatch blonde, the flat was soon nicknamed Pamela's Penthouse and later shortened to Pam's House. The lads' voracious appetite for a party unearthed entrepreneurial skills they may have never known they had; after a coach trip to Club UK in Wandsworth was cut short following a raid by the police, the Pam's House boys managed to summon up 15 cabs to relocate the party and keep the night going. The same group of intrepid lads set their sights higher and planned a 'Boys on Tour' trip to Ibiza, importantly taking in the atmosphere and magic of Manumission, which inspired them to bring a taste of the Balearics back home with them.
Nine years previous, the other Danny - Rampling - had made his own fateful trip to Ibiza with DJ friends of his, Paul Oakenfold and Nicky Holloway. Rampling, who had spent most the 80s DJing Hip Hop, Funk and Soul would change his direction after a momentous trip to Amnesia - an open air club night in San Rafael. The trio were exposed that night to the sound of DJ Alfredo who gave them exposure to a brand of dance music that'd come from America - house music.
Much like the Pam's House boys, he was inspired by his trip to bring House music back to the UK and along with his then wife, Jenny; he attempted to recreate the Ibizan experience by promoting what is regarded as the UK's first Balearic rave club, Shoom. Shoom ran for 3 years, starting out at a gym in Southwark, London, launching the acid house culture virtually overnight. The club became so successful, that Rampling's name as a DJ and producer continued to grow, landing him a coveted position at Radio 1 in 1994, presenting the 'Lovegroove Dance Party', which allowed him to hone his style and diversify at the same time. The mid-90s saw him headline at harder trance nights and he coined his own style of dance, 'Euro'. It's here in the mid-90s that we pick up our Pam's story again…
In 1996, the first Pam's House night was thrown, but under the guise of a birthday party at members-only club, Attic. The original twosome, Danny Banthorpe and Keith Tilley called in close friend and bedroom DJ, Pete Walkden to host a small night, which was repeated a couple more times until, less than a year old, Pam's was offered a monthly Saturday at UK Ipswich, the biggest dance event in East Anglia at the time. With themed nights, costumes and performers, the night quickly garnered a following of fun-seeking extroverted party people, whose attitude and love has been the backbone of Pam's House for the last 13 years and who're known affectionately as 'The Family'.
As well as becoming the most talked about cult night in East Anglia, Pam's put East Anglia clubbing on the map by taking Pam's on the Road to Birmingham, Brighton and London to name a few. Moving with the times, they also stretched their attentions to the wider reach of house and to satisfy the funky, vocal, electro house that was becoming ever popular, they branched out into sister night, PHunky.
The night came full circle in 2003 when the Ibiza devotees were themselves offered a residency at Eden and Space over the summer of 2003. The following year saw them continue to put East Anglia on the map with their involvement in Summerfest, where over 7500 revelers descended on the Norfolk Showground in the pursuit of a party.
Over the years, Pam's has welcomed internationally renowned DJs such as Boy George, Eric Morillo, Judge Jules, Eddie Halliwell and many others into the House. It's been a marriage venue for devoted party people and always serves its nights fresh with a twist - like a town crier bellowing the arrival of Lisa Lashes.
Danny Banthorpe's story can be brought up to date with the hugely successful Brown Sugar / Spank nights and his finger lodged firmly in all the hottest pies in the region - and of course, the fact that his baby is turning 13. To catch up with Danny Rampling in 2009, he has come out of retirement to perform at what is going to be a birthday bash to remember, headlining the PHunky room with Mark E.G. being the main man of the Pam's room.
What was your proudest moment of the last 12 months?Releasing an E-book www.learnhowtobeadj.com after many months of writing along with a number 6 position in the i-tunes dance chart - Live and Direct 88-08 compilation CD… Tell us your favourite track of 2008? 808 Pacific (Freemasons Mix) Give your Insider hot-tip for 2009?Steve Mac will become the UK number 1 producer with Smack recordings.....Croatia will become the clubbers choice of holiday destination as the club scene is developing to rival Ibiza nightlife What are you most excited about regarding the next 6 months? The change in American politics ....Visiting Miami winter music conference where I will speak contribute on a number of seminar panels.... looking forward to coaching aspiring DJS at Ministry of sound DJ Academy and most importantly getting back on tour after a 2 year break! How do you like to unwind when you are not working?I seldom sit still as much to achieve in this life time.......I wind down drinking good wines and reading...plus operating multiple businesses. The only day I slow down is Sunday when I spend quality time with my son Claudio Describe your perfect Sunday morning…I do a 4 mile run, then read the papers. It’s the only day I do so, followed by preparing lunch .....I love to cook on Sunday, that’s when I truly wind down whilst cooking… Describe your most memorable performance over the last 12 months? There have been many…Pacha Def Mix, Aug Valti festival in Holland, Dragon in Hong Kong with Jamiroquai...and 20 years of House Boat party in London… Where’s your favourite place in the world to play and why?Ibiza Pacha, because that’s where it all began for me - the Island continues to inspire greatly. If you could be invisible for a day, where would you go and what would you do? Into MI6 building in London to see what they get up to behind closed doors Favourite TV show? Little Britain always a good laugh New Year’s Resolution? Gave that up years ago! I set goals all year that I wish to achieve rather than one night of the year ... many people make resolutions and fail to take action and therefore keep on doing the same old thing dreaming of a better future outcome. Massive consistent action gets massive results
What makes you mad? Public apathy towards the introduction of the UK ID card identity scheme - wake up people! Before its to late. We have much to hide from an incompetent government who have a poor track record for losing personal data. No government should be given the right to take fingerprints, DNA of the population including new born’s. It’s a fear based scheme threatening our civil liberties that we have to oppose if we therefore value true democracy and freedom of speech.
You’ve played Norwich before… have you any lasting memories of our fine city? I haven't played for a few years although from memory the Norwich ladies are gorgeous… www.dannyrampling.comwww.dannyrampling.successuniversity.com
Join in the birthday celebrations at Pam's House 13th Birthday at the UEA on the 31st January. Tickets are still available for £12.50, or £9.50 with a valid NUS card from www.ueaticketbookings.co.uk or by calling the box office on 01603 508050. For more information about the whole Pam's family, check out the official Pam's House Groups on Facebook.
