For any Brisbane clubber circa mid-to-late '90s, into the early naughties, The Empire's Moonbar was THE place to be: seen, dance, hook up, revel, youthful, educated, and so, so much more.
A crew of dedicated, passionate and resourceful music souls came together to turn the Moon Bar into that place on the other side of the moon; where anything was possible.
And on 1 August, the memories, sounds, bass, friendships and loves will be remembered and celebrated as Back To The Moon lands for a day/ night of bass wickedness.
A long time ago in a galaxy far far away… it was Brisbane in the late '90s and jocks hadn’t yet discovered the Valley. At the top of The Empire Hotel, there was a small bar: the Moonbar. But it was soon discovered that it was no moon. It was a bass station. A crew of DJs infiltrated the Moonbar, taking it over, night by night, until before long, the entire weekend was theirs.
They launched Fresh and Funky, introducing Brisbanites to the sounds of breakbeat. From there, they went on to launch a hip hop and drum & bass night called Strictly Business. The final battle for the weekend was won when they introduced Fat Albeats, a journey into the darkside of breakbeat and drum & bass, and Drop Zone, a beats and hip hop night. Friendships were formed, new sounds were discovered, and their styles evolved.
Now, these crews reunite, to celebrate the past, present and future of bass music in Brisbane.
They launched Fresh and Funky, introducing Brisbanites to the sounds of breakbeat. From there, they went on to launch a hip hop and drum & bass night called Strictly Business. The final battle for the weekend was won when they introduced Fat Albeats, a journey into the darkside of breakbeat and drum & bass, and Drop Zone, a beats and hip hop night. Friendships were formed, new sounds were discovered, and their styles evolved.
Now, these crews reunite, to celebrate the past, present and future of bass music in Brisbane.
Rounding up the DJs who'll tuneage the day, we asked the following two questions:
1. What are you most looking forward to at Back To The Moon?
2. What is your most prized or favourite memory/ story about the old Moonbar days?
DJ Athol
1. Playing tunes that I don't get to play and conversing with fellow friends/ punters and DJs about said tracks and times spent at the Moonbar.2. Simply the vibe and atmosphere of the place not to mention the sound system was second to none. It felt like home, it was home and everyone that was with you were part of the family. Never a brawl did I see and the dancefloor was always filled with people that just wanted more. Bar staff and DJs that were your mates and DJs who never disappointed. It was an institution.
DJ Scott Walker
1. Catching up with old mates, dropping some classic breaks and getting 'Moonbar' drunk.2. Fav. memory definitely, is walking into the Moonbar most Saturday nights early '00s when Shredlock reigned supreme and it was absolutely rammed with funky dancers and the friendliest crowd in Brisbane.
Rainman
1. Apart from all the tunes and the peoples and beers and the foods, I'd probably say I'm looking forward to testing the ol' memory bank and trying to put names to faces.2. Too many memories from the Drop Zone/ Moonbar days! So many came through to party, to get on the open mic, to perform, to hang out on the couches – and lots that have gone on to put out great music and/ or become great friends. The night in 2001 that the pre-'Nosebleed Section' Hilltop Hoods played to a couple hundred punters and absolutely killed it would be a big highlight to pluck out though. Good times!
DJ Chris Bailey
1. To see a bunch of people who can barely remember their names try and remember how to play some quality records.2. When the dancefloor was heaving you could feel the floor flexing. I always thought one day it would collapse with the headline the next day: 'People getting down so hard dancefloor collapses'.
DJ Erther
1. Dancing naked.2. Dancing naked.
DJ Katch
1. Seeing the old crew and hopefully some of the regulars that did come along to the Moonbar on the regular.2. Personally for me it would have to be the Questlove show we did at the Moonbar after The Roots played Livid... it was so packed I got to play before Questlove, which was a cool highlight, but also seeing Blackthought just rap his ass off the whole time like it was nothing. I remember the whole Empire was basically sold out by 9:30 that night and people still wanted to come in... I personally haven't seen the Moonbar or the Empire that packed, but I was away quite a bit touring with Resin Dogs.
Mr. Gaunt
1. Hearing breaks on the Triffid's sound system. In a word it will be 'dope'. Oh and seeing Erther dance naked.2. Sittting with Shredlock in our favourited spot at the end of the bar. Where you could see all the action in the venue. Having 'Liquid Cocaine' shots and shooting the shit about breaks, life and how hot Jackie is. She was the venue manager. Good times.
Back To The Moon takes over The Triffid 1 August from 2pm.
