New York, New York -The City That's Gone To Sleep

New York's legendary club scene is stagnant, Jockey Slut's Bill Brewster claimed this week, laying the finger of blame firmly on the zero tolerance policies of outgoing Mayor, Rudolph Giuliani. "Police raids are now a weekly occurrence at many clubs. During a trip a few weeks back, Body & Soul was forced to move its party to another space after yet another raid by New York's ever friendly bobbies (cops)," he said. "Progressive dance music requires a vibrant club scene and thriving dance floors. And the one thing New York is severely lacking right now is a vibrant club scene."


New Yorker Moby also recently dismissed the scene, telling NME the city's problems were connected with egos. "Because New York is so status driven and everyone has an agenda, it makes it a lonely place," said Moby. "And I really like that and I think it's quite integral to the music I make. If I go out and socialise in New York I invariably come home feeling kind of depressed and that fuels my work."


The city's current vibe contrasts sharply with the 70s and early 80s, certainly judging by the memories of Elton John, who told Q magazine this week about the time he got Rod Stewart onto Studio 54's dance floor. "I used to go a lot, in the early 70s in New York, when disco happened," Elton reminisced. "I've done the best clubs ever but my life's changed since then. I gave Rod Stewart a popper (amyl nitrate soaked on a rag) one night. I was going, 'Come on Dear, have a dance'. She (i.e. Rod) was, 'I don't dance, dear'. I gave her this popper. An hour and a half later she was still on the dance floor. It was the time before AIDS and very, very decadent, but it was fucking great fun. I wouldn't have missed that for the world."


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• USA Club