Custom King Clothing | About Us

Our Story

Custom King Clothing | About Us was born from a lifelong passion for music, culture and the unforgettable Manchester and North West scene.

Our founder’s journey began in 1989, at just 17 years old, with a first visit to The Hacienda in Manchester. That experience opened the door to a world that would become a huge part of his life.

In 1998, two warehouse parties changed everything. The first was at Ewood Mill, just before Christmas, followed by a second party on the night before Christmas Eve at Vale/Emerald Mill in Blackburn. From that point on, he was completely engrossed in the rave, dance and indie scene.

There were nights at Spike Island with The Stone Roses, Frankie Knuckles behind the decks, and unforgettable moments hearing M-Vita shouting “Stone Roses” in the area, COME IN. There was Red Dragon, Californian sunrise, Purple Ohms, LSD, the first all-night rave at The Eclipse with Carl Cox, Shelley’s Laserzone and nights at Monroe’s.

There were also some  memories — including being arrested at Love Decade in Huddersfield — alongside travelling to London for the Freedom to Party rally.

As a DJ, Spin Inn was the record shop of choice, along with Eastern Bloc, particularly during its days at Afflecks Palace.

Those experiences, sounds and memories helped shape the person behind Custom King Clothing | About Us

What a time to be alive.

Blackburn Warehouse Parties — Boomtown

Blackburn played a remarkable role in the history of Britain’s early rave movement. From 1989 into 1990, the town’s empty mills, factories and industrial buildings became the setting for some of the largest underground parties in the North of England.

Ewood Mills on Bolton Road became one of the most famous locations. Historical records document approximately 3,000 people attending in December 1989, followed by another major New Year’s Eve gathering.

Other documented Blackburn locations included Whitebirk, Albion Mill, Northrop Factory, Pump Street, Glenfield Park, Fort Street and Gladstone Street. Some events attracted several thousand people, while the later Lomeshaye event in nearby Nelson reportedly reached between 7,000 and 10,000 attendees.

This extraordinary period helped earn Blackburn its “Boomtown” reputation and left a lasting mark on British rave culture

Spike Island — When Music Collided

On 27 May 1990, The Stone Roses took over Spike Island in Widnes for one of the defining events of the Madchester era. Around 27,000 tickets were officially sold, with estimates suggesting approximately 30,000 people attended. Custom King Clothing founder attended this event

What made the day so special was the way different musical worlds came together. The Stone Roses were at the centre of the indie explosion, but the event also embraced the emerging rave culture that was transforming the North West. The DJ line-up included Dave Haslam, Frankie Bones/Frankie Knuckles and Paul Oakenfold, 

Spike Island has since become recognised as a cultural landmark of the era: a point where indie, acid house, rave and youth culture collided.

It was a moment in time — and one that helped define a generation.