Original resident Seelie talks us through the For No Reason alphabet ahead of the clubnight's last dance alongside Love Dose at The Whiskey Jar on Friday 24th August.

Last updated: 8th Feb 2019

Originally published: 17th Aug 2018

Photo: Seelie

Inspired by long summers soaking up the never-repeated Ibiza experience of the mid 00s, a band of friends and nascent party starters sought to transfer the spirit of the White Isle to unused, forgotten spaces in their hometown of Preston.

Their fresh approach injected a unique, raw party scene that hadn’t been seen in those parts for many years. Almost instantly, word got out and music lovers from the all corners of the UK made their way up the M6 to experience the energy on these left-of-centre dance floors. 

The likes of Chez Damier, Jamie Jones, Clive Henry, Move D, Jeremy Underground and Maya Jane Coles found themselves embroiled in the For No Reason movement, headlining secretive raves in loft spaces, old warehouses and shisha dens. 

A huge part of the night’s success was the music - FNR provided a rare chance to witness the most authentic house music in Europe in the backyard of an unassuming Lancashire city, something that would normally have cost the price of a hotel and return flight.

12 years on and this tradition concludes with the dubbed out deep house of German deepsmith Sven Weisemann, topping the bill at the clubnight’s last ever outing - a fitting end to a deeply cherished chapter of house music culture in the North West.

Ahead of FNR’s last hoorah, original resident and international star in his own right Seelie has plundered his memory banks to take us through the A-Z of For No Reason folklore. House heads, this one’s for you.

A

Argy 'Love Dose'

This is the perfect place to start with Love Dose presenting our final dance. It’s heavily linked with our trips to DC10 at FNR's infancy. Is there a better sound than those acid synths wisping over your head on a dance floor?

B 

Blake Baxter 'Our Luv'

An end of the night FNR anthem. Enough said.

C

Theo Parrish 'Falling Up' (Carl Craig Remix)

This perfectly encapsulates the sound of early For No Reason... deep, soulful and hypnotic. This and Ame’s ‘Rej’ are deeply ingrained in the memory banks.

D

Dennis Ferrer 'Son of Raw'

Another early FNR anthem, pure perfection from Mr Ferrer.

E

Equation 'I’ll Say a Prayer For You'

Always on rotation for warm ups in the courtyard of Cafe Bar. It’s a perfect vibe setter from the Burrell brothers.

F

Frankie Knuckles 'Your Love'

The last track of last tracks, and a favourite of mine from the Coda days… All lighting cutting out just before it got played. Moment.

G

Glenn Underground 'May Detroit'

This was the one for the dancers. Pure machine funk from Glenn Underground.

H

Housemaster Boyz 'House Nation'

‘Hu hu h hu h hu h h h h’ - stone cold classic!

I

India, Masters At Work 'I Can’t Get No Sleep (MK Dub)'

I could have put together a list made entirely of Masters at Work tracks - they were always in the bag. I chose this one for MK bringing the garage vibe, which was a definite feature at the later parties.

J

Joeski 'All By Myself'

Got aired at every venue we went to. Timeless bomb!

K

Kerri Chandler 'Back To The Raw' (Ruff Mix)

It’s probably a tie between Kerri and Mr G for most played artist, always had to try my hardest not to play their entire discographies in a set. All about the Ruff mix on this one.

L

Larry Heard 'Sun Can’t Compare'

This was the first one to come up when writing this list. Anthem.

M

Moloko 'Sing It Back' (Herbert’s Tasteful Dub)

Another masterpiece from Herbert. I can always spot a few in the crowd pretending to know the salsa when them drums come in.

N

Nina Simone 'See Line Woman' (Kerri Chandler Mix) 

Unbelievably good. When timed right and everyone’s fastened in, this has caused some carnage over the years. 

O

Omar 'Feeling You' (Henrik Schwarz Remix)

Was a tough one to leave out all the Omar joints that got played through the years but hard to get past this beaut. Day party business.

P

Peace Division 'Blacklight Sleaze'

2006 Classic from past guest Clive Henry and Justin Drake.

Q

Q 'Voice of Q'

This is the sound of the afters.

R

Ron & Chez 'Untitled'

Another from a past guest... far too many Chez & Ron tracks to mention . This badboy always banged!

S

Scott Wozniak 'Punch Up'

First heard this on the Wiggle Fabric - house from the heavens.

T

John Tejada 'Sweat (On the Walls)'

This was a 2004 anthem. I first heard it in Sankey Soap where the sweat was literally dripping off the walls.

U

Underground Resistance 'Jupiter Jazz'

There had to be a UR record in there somewhere. This has the sound of a proper Northern rave.

V

Victor Simonelli 'Feels So Right'

A tried and tested For No Reason day party staple!

 

W

William Rosario 'The Mood Vibe'

One of many dropped from the Strictly Rhythm archive.

X

X-Press 2 'Lazy'

Another tremendous past guest. But with David Byrne on vocals, I had to pick this one.

Y

Younger Than Park 'Turn Your Back'

Was always a bit of secret weapon this one. Killer record from Terrance Parker and Claude Young.

Z

Anton Zap 'Movin'

This was the sound of 2008, stripped down, cool as fuck house music.

Get Love Dose presents: For No Reason  - The Closing Party tickets here