Elevator Suite

This UK-based trio comprises two DJs, Andy Childs and Paul Roberts, alongside multi-instrumentalist, Steve Grainger. Their sound is a blend of contemporary dance music production with funk and rock influences from the 60s and 70s. Childs and Roberts met in Salisbury, Wiltshire and ran an ill-fated clothes and record shop called Boom Tunes before abandoning the project and immersing themselves in the blossoming early 90s club culture. As Funk Junky, Childs recorded a track, ‘Bulldozer’ for a Plymouth-based label, but it sank without a trace. Disheartened, Childs relocated to Totnes in Devon, where he met the classically trained Grainger. Their seemingly incongruous backgrounds became a creative partnership and after recording demos, they gained the interest of London-based publishers and record companies. Their debut release for Infectious Records, ‘Man In A Towel’ was a beguiling mixture of 60s influences and a contemporary obsession with somewhat kitsch lounge music. It was named Record Of The Week on the UK’s national Radio 1 FM but problems with sampling clearances prevented the single from receiving a full commercial release. Sounding at times similar to Black Grape, Mansun and the Charlatans, their October 2000 debut, Barefoot & Shitfaced featured more funky soundtrack sounds, rock guitar, saxophone and lo-fi percussion.