Slam have played all around the world, championing UK underground electronic music, whilst always living and working in their home base of Glasgow, where they have helped to develop and influence one of the best music and party cities anywhere. Ahead of BEDBUG & PunchFunk present: SLAM! / MICKYSLIM / DAVE SPOON & JON GURD @ Crank in Bournemouth on December 7th I caught up with Orde Meikle, one half of SLAM, to find out more.

Hey! When we last spoke you had stopped work on everything to concentrate on your 4th studio album 'Human Response' which was released earlier this year. Tell me more about the concept for the album and wherethe name came from, the artwork is certainly quirky?

We took a couple of months off touring for the first time in years to finish 'Human Response' and it was a more relaxed process which comes across in some of the deep textures and moods on it.

Still retaining the dark edge we enjoy - we used machines and computers and synths yes, but we felt human during the process. We wanted to create a slighly more home listening electronic album which still belonged or at least related to the club experience

You mentioned last time you were hoping there would be a visual element as well as a lot of the tracks were inspired by your favourite video clips, has this happened or can we expect something in the future to accompany the album?

We got as far as some great imagery which accompanies the live sets we play and a video for the main single so far "Azure" which you can check out on the Soma site or on YouTube. More in the pipeline!

How did you select the vocalists you have collaborated with, Tyronne Palmerand Dot Allison. Are there any plans to work with them again?

Dot has appeared on the last three albums including 'Human Response' and we plan to remix one of her solo songs, and we have had two great records with Tyrone, who also works with Felix da Housecat, so I am sure we will work together in future just not on this album.

Your dj sets are quite different to the tunes you produce, why the distinction?

A lot of the remixes we have done recently for DK7, UNKLE, Subban on Leftroom and Samuel L Session, are all made for the kind of sets we play and tracks from this album like "Azure" and "We're Not Here" - but the main body of the album is post-club or pre-club with that electronic funk, but not the heavier drums.

Are there any plans for a new mixed compilation in the near future?

Yes we are putting together the fifth in Soma's sci-fi-hi-fi series following on from Funk D'Void, Luciano, Alex Smoke and Ewan Pearson with our own twist of course.

What equipment do you use when you play live and do you prefer to do live sets or to dj?

We prefer to dj and play from the whole spectrum of labels and artists - we are using Serato scratch with CDs. Our live set is synth and Ableton based using two laptops and effects and we have enjoyed a few great sets recently too like Pressure and Fabric.

Keen to contribute to the Glasgow scene you hold your monthly Pressure parties with the likes of Luciano, Beyer, Villalobos, Mills, Hawtin, GreenVelvet and Weatherall. You are also a firm fixture with your Slan Tent @ T in the Park. Additionally you run a very successful independent label in its 15th year with over 200 releases ­ Soma. What are your thoughts on the current state of the scene as you see it from a party and a label perspective?

It's strong for parties and club nights with loads of djs coming through and new promoters as well as more seasoned promoters and djs like ourselves still contributing and enjoying the scene. Labels are in a state of flux as revenue comes through for digital sales now, but nowhere near enough to compensate for the decline in vinyl sales - which used to be the backbone of the business. We do a lot of albums by our artists like Vector Lovers, The Black Dog, Silicone Soul and Let's Go Outside, and we also have an agency to help the new artists get touring. So we are looking forward all the time to make sure we survive and prosper through difficult times.

You've been travelling a bit this year with gig in Ibiza, Croatia and Berlin yet you obviously have a strong affinity for your home in Glasgow. What do you miss most about home when you are away and what do you make sure you never leave home without?

We miss our wives and kids of course 'cos a lot of the touring is weekend times. We try to take at least one full weekend off a month now and we get more creative in the studio because of it. We never leave home without headphones and toothbrush and laptop!

Finally you will be playing at BEDBUG & PunchFunk present: SLAM! / MICKYSLIM / DAVE SPOON & JON GURD @ Crank in Bournemouth on 7th December. Firstly - have you ever been to Bournemouth before?

Yes we played Clique before and loved it!

Going with the Bed(bug) theme where is the craziest/most unusal place you have ever slept?

I woke up in the closet in Stuart's flat once after someone had spiked me with something!

A cautionary tale kids! What have got in store for the good people of Bournemouth?

Some great records and a busy smiling dancefloor!