SLINKY owner Clive Collins and famed DJ residents, Gaz White and Tim Lyall, talk to lifelong Slinky fan Ben Ricci, about the brand’s revival and what Slinky fans can expect from its much anticipated 21st birthday celebration...

Slinky is the most successful Bournemouth-born global trance brand of all time and owner Clive Collins hopes that with the support of its loyal fans, it will soon be back on top.

“We had so much global success with the brand touring the world and really putting the UK trance scene on the map. We broke a lot of territories before any other trance brands and lead the way for them.

“A lot of that was due to the success of the Slinky CDs and also having a core ethos of making the parties the best we could, whether it was the production or the DJs we were booking.

“We are more than aware that Slinky is all about the fans and without them and their loyal support the future of Slinky heavily relies on this, we will continue to put gigs on as long as there is a following to support it. Our aim is to reinstate Slinky as the number one trance and dance brand globally.”

As many die hard fans will remember, Slinky said what is now regarded as a premature goodbye to a sell-out crowd at its former home, the Opera House (now 02 Academy) in October 2013. It was an emotional night. I was there.

As a Slinky fanatic for many years, it was great to see that the night was packed with powerful goodbyes from many of the world’s most famous trance DJ’s. They even stopped the music to bid their favourite trance superclub farewell via video link on a big screen. The music was explosive, the visuals outstanding with many old-timers in the crowd discreetly shedding a tear. Myself included.

And now, Slinky is returning home to Bournemouth. But with a change in venue. For this special 21st birthday party, the night will be hosted at Halo. Headlining are The Thrillseekers and Seb Fontaine who will be joining residents Tim Lyall and Gaz White with Conjet.

John Kelly had been due to appear but has since been forced to cancel due to an operation. 

Resident DJ Gaz White said: “Halo is really important to Slinky. Not just now, but between us we have had a relationship with their key players for many years. One of the directors, Ilker Ucan, whom, without meeting, I probably would never have got the breaks I got as a DJ. He has been part of the Slinky family from back in the day. He was instrumental in putting together our first Slinky global gigs.”

From a brand point of view though, the Slinky name has had a rough time. For many years, there were complex legal battles fought out in court. And as Slinky owner, Clive Collins tells us, these long-standing disputes over licensing suffocated any chance of Slinky making an official comeback.

“We are now thankfully in a position to relaunch Slinky.We now have a different business model which we were in the process of implementing this when my company was defrauded.”

I was a Friday night regular for many years; Slinky holds loads of precious memories for me growing up in Bournemouth. But the Bournemouth club scene has changed beyond recognition since those iconic days of trance hedonism in the late nineties and early 2000’s.

Resident DJ Gaz White recalls an unforgettable Slinky all-nighter that was held at the BIC in November 1997. A night that BBC Radio One aficionado DJ Pete Tong hailed as the event of the year, “The party was amazing, the room I played in was huge. I had a coach load of mate’s from up north down for the weekend, so it was a bit wild! I played the first two hour’s which eventually turned into nearly four hour’s because one of the guest DJ’s overslept!”

Clive adds: “Slinky has and will always have a following and DJs love it too. I believe the UK Trance scene has never been stronger and we are all very excited about Slinky coming to Halo.We hope Slinky’s revival will attract the younger generation as well, as most of us are not in our twenties anymore.”

The resident DJs are especially looking forward to Slinky’s big 21st birthday celebration. As DJ Gaz White explains, playing back at Slinky is about a special camaraderie:

“For me, it’s a pleasure to be working with Clive, but most importantly, Mr Lyall again. Tim and I go back a long time. He’s a gifted DJ who makes it easy when we do our back to back sets.”

DJ Tim Lyall echoes his enthusiasm, describing his set at Slinky’s 21st as new, old and classic. “I’m so happy that Slinky is back and to be involved with this brand. There are lots of exciting plans for Slinky in the next year and I can’t wait to be involved in them. All I can say is watch this space. Slinky is definitely back!”

n Tickets for the 21st party on Friday, May 4 are available now via the Slinky UK Facebook page