Club Espionage is nothing new. It would seem more in place in the world of globalization, but it happens right here.
For some promoters putting a good night is not enough; all else must fail too.
A recent 'anonymous' email received by a well know DJ and club promoter highlights all the plotting and planning that can go on in London club land.
The email contained 'financial records' and were addressed to several other promoters including one's on the continent and to the inland revenue pointing out that a certain London promoter was committing fraud against the UK government and the Inland Revenue by not claiming the 'true' financial records of the promoters profits and then went on to implicate the people that work for that promoter.
The document stated..."I would like to report the above for FRAUD as I don’t believe he is paying PAYE for his employees or VAT.
(Name Withheld) is a DJ and Promoter. His business involves hiring a club/venue and charges entrance fee at the door for a themed club night. He also hires a number of people to assist him and I believe he pays them cash without deducting PAYE.
As a businessman I feel (Name Withheld) has an unfair advantage over other legitimate businesses. A lot of his takings are cash and I believe he does not declare the full amounts or at all.
Over the past year he has had gross sales of:-...and the documents goes on to list a years worth of financial records.
We approached the mentioned promoter and asked him about the email. He said the figures in the email were exaggerated (we knew because we were at many of the events listed) and the all people that work for him are self employed and therefore he is not responsible for PAYE. The persons who are self employed are responsible for claiming their own taxes.
The writer of the email continued "In this very unstable economic climate I find it hard to reconcile his approach to business, it is very underhand and unfair."
Although the writer seems to be acting like a 'concerned business man' it was an obvious case of slander and liable since the mentioned financial records mentioned are not due to be submitted by the accused promoter until next year. In short, it is equal to accusing a person of shoplifting while they are still in the store!
The recipient of the email has taken this accusation very seriously viewing it as way of trying undermine his business and tarnish his reputation as a promoter and cast question over his integrity.
The accused has now seen the police, as the document is an obvious case of liable. The police are taking the situation equally seriously and intend to pursue the situation.
In a typical east end criminal comedy thriller, the accuser went to all the effort set up a false email to distribute the liable but failed to remove his electronic signature from the word document.
'Word' will list the author of the document automatically which can be found under the properties of the file. Further investigation revealed that the author of the promoter has the same name as the 'partner' of another well know London promoter.
Not believing that this other promoter would stoop so low we asked him did he have anything to do with the circulated email. He assured us that statement was 'not sent by him, he was not aware of any accusation being made and under no circumstances does he condone the documents sentiment'. It could be noting more than a coincidence that the electronic signature matches this promoters partner name, but we have been told by the accused that the police are trying to ascertain the pathway of the email. This is usually done by checking the IP address of where the email was sent from.
This attempt to undermine one promoter for whatever reason only creates negative energy...no wonder London club land is in the state it is, clubbers opting other entertainment alternatives or selecting very carefully what events and parties they attend. After all, clubbers just want to have fun and not be caught in a cross fire of politics, bitching and in this case liable.
In any case, this is a cunting (excuse our French) thing to do for whatever reason.
According the recipient of the email, legal proceedings are now underway, as evidence is gathered. We are awaiting the outcome.
No matter which way you see it, this can not be good for London clubbing. Have a look at our list of DIRTY DISCO TRICKS that have allegedly can be carried out in the name of 'disco'
Do you want to comment on this email? CONTACT US and let us know your view.
Below are list of 'alleged' dirty tricks we have heard of (and experienced) done to sabotage a club night. This not only happens here but all over the world, so give the poor club promoter a thought next time everything seems to be going wrong!
1. Pouring concrete mix down the toilets to clog them up.
2. Calling the council to complain about noise.
3. Calling the council to complain about over crowding.
4. Cutting all the wires to the electricity and exit signs in an attempt to delay the opening of a new club.
5. Vandalizing and removing fittings from a club trying to cause as much damage as possible.
6. Letting off egg bombs.
7. Letting off tear gas.
8. Circulating emails saying the event is sold out, cancelled or will be raided by the police.
9. Removing other clubs flyers from venues like bars, restaurant and record shops and replacing them with your own.
10.Turning all the pages of QX & Boyz on display onto pages that contain the advertisements of your own clubs.
11. Cutting off promotional wristbands of one club and replacing them with your own.
12. Offering venue owners more money not to allow your night to go ahead, or trying to hire the venue yourself.
13. Threaten DJs that they can't play in club A or B or they will loose all their gigs in club C, D, E (this is a VERY COMMON form of disco sabotage and a pain in the arse!)
14. Setting up false names and logging onto blog styled websites slagging off other clubs, setting up fake threads and generally being a cunt.
15. Setting off fire alarms and or related sprinkler system.
16. Bomb threats & scares.
Do you know of anymore dirty tricks that have been carried out on a club in the name of 'disco'? Were you there? What Happened? CONTACT US and let us know!
So remember, next time you go clubbing, you don't know what the poor promoter really has gone through to bring you such a fabulous night!
HAPPY CLUBBING!