Working Men’s Club: The ‘Wednesday Alternative’ Mix

Todmorden-based band Working Men’s Club burst onto the scene at the beginning of 2019 with their debut single ‘Bad Blood’. Coming via London-based mainstay Heavenly Records, the track championed their formative influences: 80s-leaning post-punk and melodic synth-pop.

But after dropping this first single, frontman and band leader Sydney Minsky-Sargeant was keen to weave his passion for electronic music into the band’s future output — a decision that other members of the group weren’t in favour off.

Two of the original members left, and since the band has gone through an evolution of members, now devoted to welding together the commanding punk sounds, present at the band’s outset, with driving synth-heavy dance music. This newly-realised sound first hit public ears in mid 2019 with the release of ‘Teeth’, which laid the foundations for their self-titled debut LP that finally saw the light of day in October last year.

As a showcase of the electronic sounds that helped provide that new direction for the band’s sound, lead singer Sydney Minsky-Sargeant delivers a special DJ set of warm breakbeats, squelchy machine funk and rhythmic house cuts.

Please introduce yourself… Who are you, where are you and what are you

My name is Sydney Minsky Sargeant, I’m currently based in Todmorden, West Yorkshire, and I’m a Songwriter. 

What does your music sound like? Can you draw what you think it sounds like for us (an image from the old internet is acceptable)? 

Not sure about this. 

Where was the mix recorded?

In my bedroom in Todmorden.

What would be the ideal setting to listen to the mix?

In your bedroom in Todmorden.

What should we be wearing?

Whatever you wish to wear (and feel comfortable wearing). 

What would be your dream setting to record a mix?

In a Russian spa. 

Location/system/format?

Siberia, CDJs, whatever speakers they’ve got.

Which track in the mix is your current favourite?

Anz – Loos in Twos

What’s your favourite recorded mix of all time?

Horns of Africa – Horns of Africa

If you could go back to back with any DJ from throughout history, who would it be and why?

Underground Resistance. Not exactly a DJ but a group made up of the finest Detroit Legends there are in my opinion (and they can definitely DJ too). I’m huge admirers of there anti-establishment beliefs and the militant attitude, aswell as their music.

What was your first DJ set up at home and what is it now?

A pair of Numark USB decks and an old Mac.

What’s more important, the track you start on or the track you end on?

The track you end on.

What were the first and last records you bought?

De La Soul – The Magic Number (was my first) 

Various Artists – The Best of Scottish Folk (was my last) 

If this mix was an edible thing, what would it taste like?

Sweet and sour.

If it was an animal what would it be?

A magpie.

Follow Working Men’s Club. Photo credit: Andy Nichols.