Banjax [verb] - ruin, incapacitate, or break
Usually used as an adjective e.g. "I got totally banjaxed last night!"
Now you know the true definition of the word, you kind of know what to expect from a night of the same name. Banjax is run by an airtight team that know what they're talking about - They are clubbers themselves, each with an obsessive love of music and high expectations of what they want from a true house music night! It doesn't seem that long ago that the first ever Banjax night was held, mainly due to the fact that it wasn't. This fact alone is surprising considering the sheer size of the empire and loyal following that has been created by this stand-out event. Initially the concept was to throw a Bank Holiday Sunday session like the good old days - When people had no respect for work on Monday; they just wanted to have a good time and dance to some great music. The brain-child of Bristol DJ Craig Brown and his entourage, Banjax was born and unleashed onto an unsuspecting club scene back in 2012. The first event was held at Canvas on Easter Sunday and Banjax's music policy of Deep House and Techno proved that Bristol still craved that buzz of yesteryear, only this time they didn't have to worry about work on Monday as it was a Bank Holiday - Thank you Jesus some might say!? Event after event was a complete success creating a brand that Bristol had not seen the likes of for a long time. Flash forward to Friday 21st December 2012 and Banjax decided to try a little experiment… Would the up for it and loyal crowd that loved the Bank Holiday sessions be prepared to do it all on a Friday night at Timbuk2? Would they appreciate a subtle change in the music policy to Deep/Tech/Garage-tainted House in the Tunnel and Disco/Funkier House in the Cage…? The combination of Banjax ethos with a venue that can only be described as one of the most infamous underground clubs in Bristol was a winning formula. Imagine lighting the touch paper on the biggest firework that you have ever seen and then watching as it explodes! You start up the Bank Holiday Sunday sessions again, only this time at Timbuk2. After hitting capacity at every single event the decision was made for Banjax to take over on a monthly Saturday night. With such success it was only a matter of time before Banjax brought in the big guns of the DJ world, their impressive history includes performances from Martin Ikin, Scott Diaz, Low Steppa, Idiot Proof, Timmy P, A-Lister, Caspa, James Dexter and more! As if that wasn't enough Banjax have also nurtured the local talent that Bristol has to offer, giving up and coming hopefuls the chance to shine at a real club night. Not an original move by any means but one that has really had a really positive effect on the Bristol DJ scene - Giving jocks the opportunity to showcase their skills and talent behind the wheels of steel (or whatever the kids are calling decks these days!)
So with every event selling out and clubbers being turned away there is only one solution - Another room. At Timbuk2? Not such a secret anymore since fellow local promoters WERK started utilising it at their packed gigs! Banjax will be exploring a wider spectrum of house music in the third room, focusing mainly around Tech House & Techno. It's an opportunity to offer guest nights a take-over (as has happened in the past with WERK and Tremor Soundsystem). This exposes the die-hard Banjaxers to different genres of underground house music such as Electro House, Classic House or Drum 'n Bass and there's nothing wrong with variety and choice when it comes to a good night out.
2014 looks set to be even bigger and better, the mob are is expanding and the Banjax empire is growing. With a dedicated team of 7 residents DJs and a 7-strong crew of promotional staff the night has already moved into foreign territories and taken over The Hub and the White Rabbit in Plymouth. I think you can guess how that went if you've read the rest of this?! With even bigger names on the cards for this year I have one simple question for you…
"Do you fancy getting banjaxed?"
