User:Aps8 1988/Banquetrecords

Banquet Records (formally part of the Beggars Banquet Records chain) is an independent record shop in Kingston Upon Thames, Surrey. It stocks a broad range of music but mainly specialises in new and cutting edge artists from the genres of indie, punk, emo, electro, house, drum ‘n’ bass and dub-step. The store prides itself in being "More than just your local record store" also running various club nights and in-stores in and around Kingston Upon-Thames. The shop is also the base of the record label Gravity DIP Records and singer/songwriter Dave House

History
The store started as parts of the Beggars Banquet chain of record stores before becoming fully independent in 2002 after the Beggars Group decided to sell its retail stores. The store was sold to the then manager of the store for a nothing fee, however decreased profits lead the store to near bankruptcy towards the end of 2004.

In February 2005 Banquet Records, complete with a debt of near £50,000, was taken over by new owners; a previous employee of the store, Jon Tolley and Mike Smith. Since, together with a small team of employees, the store has managed to turn its fortunes around and continues to grow, running various club nights and gigs.

In-Stores
Notable acts to perform in-store at Banquet Records include:

New Slang
New Slang, launched in 2007, is Banquet Records regular club-night held at the Hippodrome nightclub in Kingston Upon Thames. Originally held at the "The Works" nightclub in until it was closed in 2008. New Slang then moved to the nearby McCluskys nightclub in 2008. In 2010 New Slang moved back to The Works, now renamed "The Hippodrome", re-opening with a sold-out Vampire Weekend show. The weekly indie and alternative night includes live music from up-and-coming, local and established acts; with most of the DJs working for and in Banquet Records.

Notable acts which have played at New Slang include:

New Slang caused controversy in 2009 after another nightclub in Kingston Upon Thames launched a rival night named "Propaslang" to be held on the same night. Outraged fans of Banquet Records and New Slang formed an internet group in its defence which lead to the cancellation of the launch of the rival club night.

The name "New Slang" is taken from The Shins song of the same name, off their 2001 album Oh, Inverted World.

Variations of the night also occasionally replace New Slang, including: 'New Slam' (a skateboarding event), and 'You Slang' (a karaoke twist on the New Slang formula).

Due to the sucess of New Slang in Kingston Upon Thames, in 2010 Banquet Records launched New Slang Wimbledon, held at the Watershed nightclub on fortnightly Fridays.

New Noise
New Noise is Banquet Records fortnightly Punk/ Emo clubnight at the Bacchus nightclub in Kingston Upon Thames. The night includes house DJ's from Banquet Records and often includes live music from local, up-and-coming, and established bands.

The name "New Noise" is taken from the song of the same name by hardcore punk band The Refused; off their 1998 album The Shape of Punk to Come: A Chimerical Bombination in 12 Bursts.

D.A.N.C.E.
D.A.N.C.E. launched in 2010, is Banquet Records mainstream dance, electro and house clubnight on Saturdays also, like New Slang, held at the Hippodrome in Kingston Upon Thames. The club-night consists of three rooms each playing a different genre of music. The night includes DJs from Banquet records and occasionally includes guest DJ's. D.A.N.C.E. also occasionally has live music in at least one of its rooms.

Notable acts to perform at D.A.N.C.E. include:
 * Tinie Tempah
 * Professor Green.

The name "D.A.N.C.E." is taken from the song of the same name by Justice; from their 2008 album Cross.

Repeater
Repeater is a drum 'n' bass and dub-step night frequently held at the Hippodrome in Kingston Upon Thames by Banquet Records. The night consists of guess DJ sets, of which are supported by DJ's from Banquet Records.

Notable guest DJ's include:

Braille
Braille, held at Bacchus on alternate Thursdays, is a hip hop, dub-step, electro, breakbeat club-night ran by Banquet Records. The night consists of guest DJ's and DJ's from Banquet Records.

Notable guest DJ's include:

Other Shows
Banquet Records also holds separate one-off shows, the majority of them being held at the Peel and The Fighting Cocks in Kingston Upon Thames. The shows run by Banquet are often in collaboration with the live music promoter Gravity DIP Records.

Notable acts to perform at these shows include: