The story of 1990s Birmingham clubbing cannot be fully told without recognizing the revolutionary spirit of one man and the legendary Friday night he founded. For those of us who were part of the Birmingham scene, Pat—affectionately known as Black Pat—was a fixture. For me, he was much more than that: he was my best friend, a kind, charismatic soul whose light was sadly extinguished too soon in the mid-2000s.
His legacy lives on through S.L.A.G., a club night that was as musically vital as it was socially groundbreaking.
The Problem: Divided Dancefloors
The 90s were a time of musical euphoria, but social divisions still ran deep. Though the dancefloor was supposed to be a place of unity, the reality was that club nights were often segmented along lines that included sexual orientation. Being openly gay was still viewed as wrong by some parts of society, and Pat saw an opportunity to use the power of House music to tear down those invisible velvet ropes.
Pat was a fantastic guy, universally well-liked across Birmingham, and he leveraged that goodwill to create a night that challenged the status quo.
The Revolution: Straight, Lesbian & Gay (S.L.A.G.)
The night was simple, brilliant, and confrontational: S.L.A.G., standing explicitly for Straight, Lesbian & Gay.
Held weekly on Friday nights at the Steering Wheel Club in Birmingham, the night was marketed with a clear purpose: to get straight and gay people to come together to enjoy the best, freshest House music available. The name itself was a statement—a bold reclamation that forced people to confront and dismiss prejudice at the door.
S.L.A.G. rapidly became a huge success because it delivered on its promise. It was truly the first club night in the city that effectively removed homophobic barriers by making the love of music the sole prerequisite for entry.
A New Sound: Musicians on the Floor
S.L.A.G. wasn’t just progressive in its social politics; it was musically advanced, too. Pat insisted on delivering an experience that went beyond simple DJ sets. He regularly booked exceptional DJs but also ensured the night offered something totally different by bringing in live musicians—percussionists, horn players, and vocalists—to play along with the DJs. This live element elevated the house music experience, injecting an organic, improvisational energy that few other nights could match.
The freshest House music—the stuff that was shaping the next week’s sound—was the soundtrack, delivered by a unified crowd.
The Legend: Escaping to Hush
The success of S.L.A.G. was so overwhelming that it created its own exclusive after-hours culture. As his best friend, I distinctly remember having to help Pat escape down the fire exit of the Steering Wheel after the night finished. If we attempted to use the front entrance, he would be instantly bombarded by requests and demands for access to the legendary after-party.
That after-party was held weekly at the Hush Club. Starting at a dedicated 2:00 AM just as S.L.A.G. was winding down, it kept the energy going until 6:00 AM on Saturday morning. The Hush Club after-party was the final word in the S.L.A.G. experience—a reward for the most dedicated house heads and a testament to Pat’s magnetic ability to bring people together.
Pat was a fantastic guy, well-liked by all, and his vision created an inclusive, electric space that defined a vital chapter in Birmingham’s 90s club history.