Shem 'Slacker' McCauley
Shem 'Slacker' McCauley - far left
Sad news reached me via Twitter earlier this week. Shem McCauley had passed away over the weekend. The situation remains unknown, and no information has been released online (that I'm aware of thus far) surrounding his death.
I'd met Shem a number of times between 2001 and 2008 while he was working under his 'Slacker' alias, and always thought he was extremely courteous and professional, but also just a really nice bloke. During the early 2000's I'd come across his deep, dark progressive remixes, of artists such as Breeder and Moby, as a dance music fan, and whilst deep driving prog wasn't always my choice music, I can't deny that that sound had a profound impact on my musical taste as a young person going to clubs like Tangled and Tribal Sessions.
Ironically, the occasions when I could have really spoken to Shem and got to know him better than I did was during the nights he'd come to DJ for Phil and Terry at Tangled in Manchester, where Shem had become a stalwart booking during the late 90's. For a five year period I was the sober eyes and ears of Phil and Terry during these incredible parties, ensuring the fun flowed accordingly, the door was run effectively, and our guest DJs got paid and looked after, so I only ever really made small talk with him and chatted about DJing and his music, but nevertheless I always remembered him as one of the good guys. After all, if he hadn't been, he wouldn't have continued to be booked, that was sort of Tangled policy. No arsehole guest DJs!
The photo above was taken around 2007 at Turnmills in London (now defunct, for any younger readers), when James (HeavyFeet) and I were down to play at The Gallery (pre-HeavyFeet) for The Gallery, when James was pursuing DJing as a solo venture (and I was looking after his bookings). James was warming up for Shem, who very nicely came down early to say 'hi' to us with his mate Pete, pictured above. Somewhere I have his business card for the last venture he was embarking upon, Jukebox In the Sky. That night was the last time I saw Shem.
This really makes me quite sad thinking about it. Despite not knowing him all that well, when you have any rapport with a person who works and thrives in a similar industry to you, and they leave the world so suddenly, you can't help wishing you'd gotten to know that person that bit better.
I'll leave you with a Slacker remix that I used to really enjoy...
Shem McCauley - gone but not forgotten. Rest In Peace.
Mike HF
