ABOUT US
The Story So Far:
2Kilos of Funk is Shrewsbury’s self proclaimed “Freshest, Funkiest Party”. With DJ’s playing a heady mix of Funk, Soul, Beats, Breaks and Disco, the emphasis is purely on fun.
2Kilos started back in September 2005 with a drunken night out. Matt Wedderkopp and two friends were on a pub crawl before going to see DJ Yoda play at Planet of the Breaks. After sinking copious amounts of Guinness and spirits Matt and two friends started to walk to the club, on route they decided to pop into Soho bar for a cheeky half. Tim, who Matt had only met that night started berating the staff at Soho bar, telling them “your bar is shit, you need DJ’s and breakbeats”. He then proceeded to hassle the young barmaid for her phone number, continuously interrupting with “.. your bars quiet, no ones here, let Matt play some tunes…”. After drinking up, the lads left, went to see Yoda, got wrecked and forgot about the drunken ramblings in the bar.
A week or so later Matt received a text asking if he’d like to put on an event there. It was decided the first event would be a pre party for the next Planet Breaks event, Grandmaster Flash on the October bank holiday. Starting at 3pm that Sunday afternoon, Matt played a mixture of old funk, broken beats and old school Hip Hop. The other DJ to play that night was Recycled Records boss Mark Bishop. Mark still reminds Matt that he fell head first into a plant pot while picking up his first record when taking over the decks. Matt likes a drink.
After a series of Sunday afternoons Matt had the urge to keep pushing the night and his DJ'ing. One thing happened to stop him. Soho bar shut. While Matt was filling out Sunday afternoons, the bar was struggling and changed hands. Matt approached the new owner of the re-named Salopian Bar to carry on his funk fuelled parties but there was no longer a slot available.
2Kilos of Funk lay dormant for a couple of months. In Febuary Matt approached the Vaults to host a monthly party there. The agreement was 2Kilos could take over the first Thursday of the month, if successful it would move to a Saturday.
The first event was packed out and carried on growing over the next few months. In May Matt met Tom, a fellow enthusiast of good times who offered to help promote the night and take every Friday off work to recover from the night before. In June Matt recruited current right hand man Mark ‘Pinderslap’ Beesley as resident, they pushed the night into an even funkier direction, leaving the drum n bass at the door. The last thing Shrewsbury needed was another drum n bass or funky house night, so Matt stayed loyal to the music he loved… FUNK, SOUL, HIP HOP, BEATS, BREAKS & DISCO.
In August 2006 the lads went out to Support Invasion and Planet Breaks in Ibiza, culminating in Matt playing an Absinthe fuelled set at superclub Eden. This helped seal a friendship between the three nights that has led to Two Kilos hosting pre parties and back rooms for both Invasion and Planet Breaks.
Through the closing months of 2006 and on through 2007 2Kilos hosted regular events at The Buttermarket Cellars and The Vaults, growing in popularity and stature they were able to attract trip hop legend Jon Kennedy to become resident. At the end of 2007, 2Kilos of Funk re homed itself where it all began, The Salopian Bar. Staying true to the music style that made the night a success, in the place that is the spiritual home of the party, this in many peoples' eyes is where the best parties have happened.
The popularity of the collective has enabled a wide array of guests and artists to appear for 2Kilos. The DJ roll of honour includes names like Cut La Roc, Parkertron (Fingathing), former World DMC champ Chad Jackson, The Capoeira Twins, Slyde, Boom Monk Ben and up-and-comers like Wakefields' Wax On.
Currently 2Kilos are holding parties in Shrewsbury, whilst explanding the empire with out of town events.
Matt, Tom and Mark would like to thank all our regulars for the ongoing support and love.
"One of the best things about Shrewsbury..." The Gaurdian (May 2008)
