DISCO POGO MAGAZINE

Bit of history

Back in 1993, two friends from Manchester Polytechnic (Paul Benney & John Burgess) started a dance music fanzine called Jockey Slut. It quickly developed into a seminal electronic music magazine documenting the UK dance music scene of the 90’s, whilst also paying respect to the house and techno originators from Chicago and Detroit.

After a move to London, and nearly five years as a monthly, the magazine suddenly closed in 2004.

Now, 28 years after its launch, the original founders are starting a new magazine inspired by Jockey Slut, called Disco Pogo (Jockey Slut’s slogan was ‘disco pogo for punks in pumps’).

Why launch a new magazine?

We didn’t have any intention of publishing a new magazine but after the success of the ‘A Jockey Slut Tribute To Andrew Weatherall’ book and the overwhelmingly positive response to the survey of its readers that followed we felt compelled to create something fresh.

Why not call it Jockey Slut?

Jockey Slut represents for us a specific time, place and feeling, and while this new venture is inspired by the original Jockey Slut magazine it is also a new magazine for a different time. We will use the name Jockey Slut when we are looking back to that time, but for the now and the future it is all about Disco Pogo. We are also aware that the phrase ‘jockey slut’ has been co-opted by some people as a misogynistic term and we don’t want that to distract from our new mission or create a grey area as to our stance on the unfair treatment and sometimes abuse of women in the electronic music scene. 

What will the new magazine be like?

Disco Pogo will be a beautifully designed and printed, twice-yearly heavyweight print magazine, featuring the best electronic music writers covering the best new music, whilst also looking back on key moments and artists from the last 50 years. It will include beautifully written longform articles, original photography from the scene's best photographers and some archive content from the original Jockey Slut magazine. It will also have a sense of humour :)

Will there be an online version?

Yes, Disco Pogo will also exist online and not only will there be a digital version of each issue, there will also be regular content including longform journalism, videos and podcasts.

What do you mean by 'Disco Pogo Community'?

Disco Pogo won't just be a magazine and a website, it will also be a space for like-minded people to come together online, and at physical events like talks, gigs and club nights.

Will there be a Disco Pogo label?

Yes, we have plans to release music physically and digitally under the Disco Pogo banner.

What do we need the money for?

We want to use the money to hire a part time editor, build a website, compensate the best music writers and photographers fairly for their contributions and to design and print the first issue.

Thanks in advance for any and all support - this won't happen without you.