Two Monkeys

An independent documentary focusing on the Blue Monkey and New Monkey nightclubs in Sunderland.
The dawn of the rave scene in the late 80s and early 90s changed the face of music forever leaving a legacy that still continues to this day. Hear the stories of those who lived through it and were involved in the North East scene at the beginning. From raid to ruins, we shed light on the rise and fall of the Blue Monkey and New Monkey nightclubs, investigating the music and the controversy that came with the all night rave clubs.
Huge thank you to everyone who supported this documentary through our Crowdfunding campaign and our sponsors:
Pharma Site Services Limited!
www.pharmasiteservices.com
and
CBDLife UK
www.cbdlifeuk.com
Also thank you to Bass Bounce you can listen to the New Monkey music on this Spotify link:
open.spotify.c...
Made by:
FB.com/DoddsFilm
&
FB.com/TyneAndWeird

[@DJBassBoomBottom]

I'm an American who ran across a New Monkey recording on KZbin in 2008-09 and still listen to Makina this day. Nice to also learn about what made the New Monkey new. Sick fukin choons, wish I could've been there.

[@steadyuk3198]

first american ive saw that likes makina. respect mate

[@HoLyShItThAtSbOuNcY]

​@@steadyuk3198 nah theres a few americans i know of that likes and plays makina in dj sets 1 of them is dj flapjack

[@Mr_Makina]

@@HoLyShItThAtSbOuNcY he's mainly happy hardcore and NL hardcore though mate, not spanish

[@jdst7080]

Hard styles and movements are so small in North America. It's a shame. Europe is so ahead in electronic music.

[@tonystorey8801]

I went to the Original Blue Monkey in this recording,it was incredible

[@garyrobson3600]

The police raided the place too early, half of us weren't in. I've told people for years they used a removal van but for some reason nobody believed me. That's us to the left of the removal van, sitting on the petrol station wall, we were going to go in later. After the raid we never went back, It was a part of my life I'll never forget.

[@lordlucanslovechild1595]

Gary Robson all that police raid did was to spread ravers far and wide.

[@ptbfm11]

Do you work for a sofa company?

[@jameswilliamson1622]

@@ptbfm11 wtf mate

[@stevencowie]

Great documentary.. the hairs on the back and my neck and arms stood up watching about the Blue Monkey, I went every week from start to finish, and memories of afterwards at Hendon Beach, Websters and the After Dark.. I live in the USA now, they have drink brand called Blue Monkey at Whole Foods, I sometimes buy the Blue coloured one, I don’t even like it (some kind of Coconut flavour), it just reminds me of those great times and memories.. Stay safe everyone..

[@danielflounders9310]

Absolutely brilliant watch. Brings back some great memories. I think Kev summed it up perfectly. It was a movement in similar ways to the skinheads if the 70/80s. It was the last and will never be seen again. It was a pleasure to have been a part of it.

[@_-Tripster2011-_]

The new monkey, afterdark , hanger 13 were all amazing clubs so glad a got to experience them 😃

[@stuartwilliamson8459]

Went to the new monkey from 2001-2005. Some of the best times of my life, love to have one more night in there 🙌

[@mcjep]

cant believe its been 13 years since it closed, I'm now 35 years old and i still go on about it to the younger lads at work telling them the stories of the monkey, how mad it was and how great it was, there is nothing like it now and never will be again which makes me sad.......... still get the old tunes out once in a while and give it a blast though ha

[@bigdog4865]

15 years today

[@ragedapeevo7560]

I just wish there was a place I could collect all the Jet, massive, Kc tapes from 2001, and afterdark tapes.

[@jamieshearer9714]

@@ragedapeevo7560 try ebay they might do the tapes and cds

[@Mr_Makina]

@@ragedapeevo7560 ebay is yer best bet. Am 21, playing catch up, so a use ebay far more than discogs. Yae can find the New monkey EP vinyls fae time to time, like a did (got 2 of them, vol 3 and the 500 limited) and won't have tae deal with "discogs tax" aka shite prices. Its Mostly bids but ave never had an offer refused. Some other dedicated seller is on there tho, they huv CDs and that for £10 a standard.

[@ragedapeevo7560]

@@jamieshearer9714 Thanks guys, gonna give it a whirl.

[@djroppa]

What a time to be alive so glad i witnessed it!!! These days are absolutely horrendous and will never ever get this back but them.days were special and you just never ever forget no matter what

[@eliapace2614]

I only went twice to the original Blue Monkey in Sunderland and it happened to be the last two nights ever in June 1993! I was 16, and my 17 year old mate drive us all up there from Scarborough. I remember absolutely nothing other than the unbelievable vision before me when I walked in the club looking down from the balcony to the carnage happening below with Adrian Street DJing! Awesome.

[@Jamez1093]

Lucky bloke, I drove up from Scarborough to see what the New Monkey is now. Think it’s office blocks now? Would’ve loved to go but was 7 when it shut down.

[@Shipzzzzzzzzz]

​@@Jamez1093its a church mate

[@JACKNIFED]

Colosseum documentary on Robb’s taken over rave venues in the mid 90s would be good watch

[@drwho3252]

These clubs were special . The north east had a special following bk in the 90s ..atmospheres were unreal , THE NORTH EAST IS THE MUSIC CAPITAL OF THE UK ..No-one did it like us .Best days of my life and even djed in most of em ...yal never be able to bring those times bk.

[@Markmywordschannel]

I remember getting the cassettes on Monday in schools that were recorded over the weekend in the Monkey, it got me into dance music

[@QuantumOptix]

This is the first documentary I've seen about the north-east rave scene, it really had it's own unique underground culture surrounding it especially during the makina era. Even for those who were too young to attend the clubs, the MC's and DJ's had a massive influence on the working class youth of northumbria.

[@antonydaly9468]

have a neb at this kzbin.info/www/bejne/g5KvhI2vbaaZidk 3 parts

[@lisamcgowan8075]

And Cumbria

[@lisamcgowan8075]

Wow, memories of the first time I ever walked into the new monkey, can still hear merlin and energiser - in my mind playing, hairs all stood up on my body, then it drops "ACTIVATE" booooom......... give anything to feel that feeling again The monkey maniac Tony P

[@lisamcgowan8075]

Ace and tazo And there goes your signal And there goes your signal And this is original Class man

[@jonnyn54]

Turbo d great job and the rest of the mcs and djs there will never be anything like this again thank you to yous all best time of my life no regrets lads

[@djnemesisuk]

4:56 The 1, The Original, A very young....Dave The Rave ;) This is the day he went out on a session and never came home haha

[@eliteafterdark]

was he late for church

[@steadyuk3198]

haha

[@LJGraham]

How the fuck did you spot him man hahaha

[@andygibson5258]

Bet he’s on an isolation Sony Walkman head banging sesh right now

[@xXIDanIZz]

Legend

[@DoofUK]

Great video, loved it. Thankfully managed to go to a couple of the monkey nights....best nights of my life ha

[@scottyb290]

Once sentence to describe the closing of the new monkey after dark etc is “END OF AN ARA” all the best clubs were in buildings solely used for that event and nothing else. They just wouldn’t be the same if they weren’t old run down buildings that’s what made the atmosphere a building for the sole purpose of raving. the scene is good now and still massive, but it’ll never be the same again RIP after dark, colloseum, blue monkey, hanger 13, the venue and the new monkey. The Memories will last forever 😎

[@sirdanthegamer]

The toilets in TNM .... memory that sticks most in my mind

[@KevW81]

lol think I only ever uses the lasses cos the taps worked in there, vile.... ahahah

[@djroppa]

@@KevW81 same 🤣🤣🤣

[@kylehall1432]

Techno-t the sound of joyriding

[@seanhodgson8335]

Been looking forward to watching this for a while lads. You've done an absolute stellar job!!

[@lianmassey7913]

Exactly never any trouble in the new monkey, everyone just had a good time. Loved it 🎵😀

[@lianmassey7913]

Hahaa I never saw none of that. Too busy on the dance floor 😀😀🎵💜

[@ragedapeevo7560]

@THE NEW MONKEY Any idea if there is a way to get old new monkey tapes from around 2001 with Jet, kc, massive? there is only a few youtube, looking for particular classics mainly but would buy them all.

[@ragedapeevo7560]

@THE NEW MONKEY Thanks for the reply buddy.,

[@jameswilliamson1622]

@THE NEW MONKEY TAPES & TUNEZ defo not every week or you can see that in the monkey session was in full flow,but someone got stabbed in there one week.

[@jameswilliamson1622]

what about the kid who got stabbed in there and was in the same room as you just saw before the stairs but wannabe gangsters ragis are and were everywhere.

[@tyberiousisatwt]

I guess no-one got a video camera into the eclipse in Stockton... The 3 allnighters in 92 were the epitome of the rave scene in the north east. Still got the tickets and membership cards.

[@CaptainCoalie]

Good to see a unique independent scene get documented. Well done

[@chrisgraham2837]

Made the hairs on my neck stand up, will always be a part of my life 😎

[@fingaonthatrigga]

as a lad from Ireland i was young when i started to hear about new monkey and makina and i fell in love with the style of music and the new monkey sorry i never went over to experience it before it closed. rave scene here in Ireland back then was shite major stuff was hardcore and trance, this year i'm hoping to travel over to Barcelona for an event and maybe to the north east for a session.

[@Bigfatslim]

Class, How did you hear about it over there ?

[@fingaonthatrigga]

@@Bigfatslim found sets on lime wire back in 03 04 and started to collect them, then moved on collecting the tunes.

[@jgs4549]

@@fingaonthatrigga makina is back on the rise, all us north east producers are going strong and theres a million others coming up.. the new monkey brand has just come back.. it will never be the same as all the spanish stuff, and the nostalgia wont be there.. but its good for the new generation'

[@fingaonthatrigga]

@@jgs4549keep it alive it deserves all the recognition it can get.

[@Jimbo-90]

@@fingaonthatrigga sorry for begging conversation but lime wire was the shit back then. I used to use my mates computer to download it all and left him with the viruses lol good old days!

[@insolentnik495]

Fucking hell. Look how old techno T is now. Him and Stompin will always be the very elite of MCs in my opinion

[@insolentnik495]

Saying that look how old I am now. 🤣 where has the time gone man

[@carlgibson5269]

Went to all of them with KES,Craig pinkney ,duffo, Graham ishmar ,Les shrieder ,good times 👏👏big respect to the makers of this video & big shout out to the DJS & MCS 🇬🇧

[@mmc472]

I remember someone falling off the balcony onto a table next to me! I was so nieve, I was oblivious to the drugs going on! Did get offered them the first night I went in but declined. Rarely made Friday morning lectures!

[@JohnKobaRuddy]

32:10 really want to hear these competition sets with scotty jay and his gan at hangar 13

[@jamieshearer9714]

My brother got me into the new monkey music i still listen to the monkey music

[@robertmurray9948]

Great film enjoyed coming down from Berwick to the blue monkey first train home Sunday morning

[@eliteafterdark]

class. loved it. well done for making a northeast rave documenty. stripy jumpers and rockports ha ha. go on kev

[@insolentnik495]

Love me Rockports. Lol. Still wear them when i go to me mams and its snowing

[@jameswilliamson1622]

the jumpers were the best of the designer clothes.i still wear la coste.

[@andrewatkinson8027]

Absolutely class! Proper nostalgic watching this! If you never went you will never know. Does anyone have a link by any chance to the newspaper headline 'Last Dance at The New Monkey'?

[@W2LTA]

A blast from the past; thanks for the memory's (8)

[@Paul-li4xw]

North east nostalgia pure class man yna!!!!

[@kess6698]

We can't have people coming together and be friends like the rave scene. The authorities want you in pubs, getting pissed and fighting each other.

[@vywondubois7889]

I love how the same thing was happening all over this island about the same time.

[@brendadavis5419]

Good documentary, got myself and a few friends on this 👍 we travelled round trip of 70 miles most Saturdays 91/92, good memories and funny enough my future then wife was with us 😂

[@JoeHTS19]

This is awesome nearly in tears at the end me like haha!

[@fearlessjoebanzai]

Nigel Green "journalist", talking about a spate of deaths, but only names Leah Betts (basically the only person that anyone can name, who tragically died in about 96 from drinking too much water whilst on ecstasy - something that might well have been avoided if it wasn't criminalised and people could be better educated about), then talks about asking the police about a raid he heard was going to happen - why didn't he tell the club, or at least the punters? What a horrible crank he comes across as. It's sorrowful really I guess, that folks like him and the establishment/feds were around and on the scene in those times, but didn't embrace the magic that was happening right in front of them.

[@bonjovi7399]

The handfull of ecstacy deaths each year when how many die over alchohol every weekend. Raves were used as a political tool, and the press to sell papers. Rave culture wiped out soccer hooliganism. Violent crime, criminal damage dropped drammataically on the weekend. The cops had nothing to do so they had to busy themselves with kids dancing. The gangsters dealing the drugs didnt help though. If they weren't greedy and didn't have gang wars maybe the police would have eased up on the situation. House music was full of drugs, but when House went commercial, and when large companies got involved all of a sudden the government and police turned a blind eye to all the drug taking and dealing. Its only a problem when corperations are not involved. When things become corperate the rules for the little man are ignored.

[@antonydaly9468]

aye, fond memories!. as I said in my couple of pieces, you could see and feel the shift of the music changing. summer 1990 you had things like London beat "I've been thinking about you", Madonna "vogue", captain Hollywood feat twenty4seven "I can't stand it" played alongside the happy Mondays "step on" "hallelujah", the shamen "progen" and by spring/summer 91, you had k klass "rhythm is a mystery" shades of rhythm "sound of eden" and final exposure "vortex". hahaha

[@stewartcuff754]

how ya keepin daly

[@antonydaly9468]

good mate! had a record shop in Newcastle, for 5 years. hope ya well! @@stewartcuff754

[@stewartcuff754]

@@antonydaly9468 yeah im ok you look fat hahaha

[@stewartcuff754]

r ya still in p.lee

[@JamieLee.]

Awesome documentary guys

[@platonixuk]

I'll never forget where it all began, and will always treasure the memories of The Blue Monkey in Sunderland, The venue in Spennymoor, The Afterdark, Ecli[se in Stockton and the Coliseum...also the Phenomena parties at Bridlington leisure world, and the Orbit in Morl;ey , the Gallery in Leeds and epic events like the Holocaust, Resurrection, and Galactica. IMO., This video doesn't do it justice .. The magic that we shared can not be captured... The atmosphere and dance floor vibes were beyond words... Pure magic!!!!!!!

[@platonixuk]

But hey.....Nothing lasts...But Nothing is Lost:" " Everything is changing into something else. . We all move on... and thankfully.... The beat goes on. OOooyeah!!!! And now it's more refined than ever. A multiverse of musical fusions and genres. The music scene has evolved into a fully immersive multi-sensory experience, with mindblowing visuals, 3d sound, lighting video mapping, interactive works of art , as well as performance art and more.... So many layers it's hard to describe. The magic is still alive and even more attuned. I've been raving for 30 years now and this year was the best so far..... 💗Thank you💗 Adrian Street, Dj Xl, Mc G Force, Dj Destroy, Steve Luigi and all the producers, organizers, drug dealers and dear friends who have contributed to this monumental time in history. Your all fucking legends 🙂🙃😋😛😍

[@chris_m986]

41:58 Chrissy Meadley and Benny Ford, used to take Benny in his wheelchair, loved this place

[@leelee5180]

Best part of my childhood will always miss monkey shame my kids can't experience it thanks to all

[@peternufc1981]

It was Canny that like respect to the people for taking the time to make it.. HOLD TIGHT FOR THE SOUND!!

[@neilhansen727]

Place I loved and created memory's and best of friends Skip

[@mcmajestic7095]

Same ere skippy lad Hanly

[@bigdog4865]

Neil Hansen best nights of the life skippy Yorkshire branch travelling up home

[@chefthenewstyle]

Thanks for the upload. Great times. Straw hat posse in the house.

[@709mrd]

Used to go to Philmores and the Havana, happy days

[@antwan.]

that undercover bizzy is a tool

[@parasitevex8696]

Unreal, long live the northeast rave scene!

[@pitstop1ish]

I hear theirs an extended version any chance of this popping up love this video brings back loads of memories be interesting to see a follow up of where the scene is today with monta and hanger is and the way the mc style has changed

[@MickeyMouse-rg6pi]

It’d be ace if this scene became more wide spread around the UK.

[@lisamcgowan8075]

Be amazing if it came back at all, I've not been to anything that was even the monkey tunes since clash of the titans stopped

[@alfiewhitnell1387]

My mom talks a lot about going there in 91 to 93, she used to be close with DJ Destroy, anybody remember Jackie Nicholson from Spennymoor? X

[@dazd4430]

Some of the best nights of my life was in these clubs ...happy days

[@marleyftm]

DAZ D wish we could go back m8

[@dazd4430]

@@marleyftm deffo mate

[@pauliedee4712]

Amazin memorys in the good old 90's, true pure rave error ;o)

[@itsme123t3]

The new monkey was class but you had to experience it for your self ,there was hardly any trouble when I was there unlike any club that’s open these days

[@mckenna8882]

Best times of my life TNM, would love to of went to the venue and collo but was just too young.

[@damien7209]

Thank you very much for that video

[@DjWisdomUK]

Enjoyed this, good little watch!

[@jamesrowbotham4460]

Loved this I would do anything to just even step foot in the new monkey I’d of loved to be there for when it was still open

[@pitstop1ish]

Love this video brings back loads of memories only thing I would say I hope their is a follow up with more interviews from more mcs and djs sure loads more to be told especially the North East number 1 mc stompin

[@TheRhinog24]

Stompin would of been the cherry on the cake

[@classicmail8239]

I'm surprised nobody mentioned the 11pm metro from St. James to Millfield/Pallion, that was more radge than the Monkey its self. Funny old train that like.

[@PermanentMerka]

Sounds fucking mental! Any stories?

[@adamw6924]

The metro tried to stop everyone getting on at brockley whinns station because there used to be that many people

[@jameswilliamson1622]

@@PermanentMerka getting on the metro in the morning freezing on a come down without any of my friends in a different level of life being shit like,if you are a raver who got a lift your own times in the winter.

[@mistypuffs]

I remember signing up for them ‘memeberships’ at 14. Thank fuck no one ever asked me date of birth again ^^ Recognising so many faces on here! Ty so much for the upload

[@neilroberts3234]

one off my best friends was from newcastle late ninetys, andrew tatooist what a jenuine good lad he was my other hero was GAZZA!!

[@andyrobo6431]

Just can't believe there's no interview with 🙏Dave the Rave🙏 hahaha..

[@djrobst]

he dont talk sense lol

[@TheRhinog24]

What a fucking watch that is. Brilliant.

[@KevW81]

I was never one for drugs.......I use to go drunk as AF but by 7am I was leaving sober lol, happy days back then. would relive it all again. still listen to it now 38yo, HAPPY DAYS :)

[@Stewy123]

Outstanding!

[@davecommon974]

dave the rave no1raver northeast legend northeast legend in sunderland echo evening chronicle red hat on my t-shirt on rave just like dave keeping the rave alive sit at back seat

[@davecommon974]

it was good

[@jgs4549]

youre a legend dave mate, always will be

[@64SKELL]

Blue monkey member here and after dark , then sometimes went to that other place what was open until 12 in the afternoon, my memory is shot today by pregabs.

[@jameswilliamson1622]

get off the pre gabs as soon as possible in a different way to the best drugs you are a good person and you are a raver who can beat them.

[@mincedumplings7450]

Wow , that brought some memory's back , M25 , Love doves , and purple arms , and of cors the pink champagne , haha , and spen youv never changed 😀

[@lordlucanslovechild1595]

Damian itstime age is but a number

[@JohnKobaRuddy]

Fucking hell the blue monkey looked canny decent outside in the early days the new monkey was effectively a rundown drug hall for the areas mad bastards. Good times

[@YouKnowTheDance]

Jimmy G with the dodgy stone island jumper on - mate 🤣🤣

[@djmemorize8921]

Police took the new monkey to seriously they were just kids having a mint time

[@Shortkickz92]

Been with the case with all rave cultures.. they just don't get it

[@YouKnowTheDance]

There should be an afterdark 1 & 2 documentary

[@SteFortune]

Great memories

[@richardhilton5002]

Must be some more video footage from the colosseum out there

[@kriscowley]

What an era, yeeehaaaaaa

[@mic.kelly86]

Mint 👍, quality doc

[@eliteafterdark]

the scene is going strong absulise not as good as the proper day. but people are still trying. only thing. times are 5-11 as most the raves r i the back room of a bar. good luck to them. but the AD2,collo,venue is just a happy memory now. the way it was ment to be. private members dance floor. glad a experienced it 💔💔💔

[@eliteafterdark]

absolooty #

[@MadHatterEParty]

where strangers became best mates .......

[@anthwardle3516]

I was at the new monkey near enough every weekend between 2000 - 2002 so the best years and there was nowt better than them days! I actually did a few sets in the chill out room with my mate olly and played German trance instead and had people coming out of the main arena for our tunes! lol Respect to all of the monkey massive! ✌️

[@musiCiSeVerythingG]

So interesting!!

[@matthewbonner645]

Amazing

[@baconsarneybroonsauce6913]

Nostalgia 😍

[@ibiza2494]

Nice documentary

[@davidjohnston9505]

Police always stopped us having a good time in the 90s all the good clubs got raided or burnt down.. The venue was the best im my opinion

[@MrDudleydawson]

Mint watch

[@jasonleemamanddad]

class watch rave music my youth

[@andrewmorton4732]

#REOPENTHENEWMONKEY

[@LeeEgan]

Unreal memories, like my second home haha

[@jameswilliamson1622]

ravers are my family.

[@georgebrice394]

Fantastic, Havana deserves its own story.

[@chefthenewstyle]

Bricey. From the Gilpin?

[@Desmondbrowne666]

Brilliant

[@JohnWill86]

3:08 what a guy

[@biggpdizl]

Awesome

[@magicbigbeans3977]

“Turn down the noise, this is a raid! It’s the fucking pig brigade”.

[@MARKYCEE34]

Cool as ice

[@holmezy1863]

Class