Spiders

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The Spider’s Web in the Haymarket area of Edinburgh’s busy West End has been Rockin’ for two decades. Back in the early Eighties it was the venue for Alex Gloag’s “Chicken Shack” club and then since 1995 it has been the home for Edinburgh’s hottest rockabilly night. Over the years we tried various names, Capitol Club, Greased-up but everybody just called it ‘the Web’, so ‘the Web’ it is. It all started as a sort of ‘Chicken Shack-reunion-come-birthday bash, which turned out to be such a scorching night that the decision was taken to run it on a monthly basis. Alex ran it first and then handed over to Doncaster Paul Clark and Inge and Jim Anderson. When Jim and Inge moved away, Scotland’s premier Deejay Tojo stepped in to help out. When, a couple of years ago Paul answered the call of his Northern Soul roots and moved on, the Club was at risk of closing because neither Tojo nor I had the time to run it. Luckily for us Lynn Turner one of the driving forces behind local legend Hi-Voltage - had just wound up her ‘Radio’ Club and allowed herself to be press-ganged into organizing bands. Lynn and also Marty help out with publicity and thanks are also due to Archie and Michelle who fired up the photocopier when our need was greatest. Archie is also our other in house DJ , playing records alongside Tojo, With Rick moving back down South we now often have Neil or Gus doing DJ spots for the club as well and everyones hard work behind the decks is very much appreciated. The Web is like that, it’s not promoters and punters; everybody sees it as their club and helps out where possible. Nobody takes any money out of the Club, so what you pay on the door comes back to you sooner or later. This non-profit making policy is what gives us the cash to put on bands that would have been too expensive for Scottish Clubs in the past. Putting bands on this far North is a struggle, with transport and often accommodation to be added to the usual price. We aim to put on four or five bands a year with record hops between. Our hops are well supported – they need to be, they pay for the bands – because they are kickin’ hardcore nights. The dancing traditionally starts late in Scotland but once it kicks off the dance floor is packed till chuck out time. There are also two fancy dress party nights a year, Halloween and Christmas, and if they are not legendary by now they bloody well should be. The Web is a cellar bar. Big enough but not too big, with 100 people it looks packed, but even on a quiet night there is a great atmosphere. So if you fancy a weekend away in one of the UK’s most beautiful cities, check out our dates