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Courtesy of those wonderful people
at Trust
The DJ - Here's a superb feature
on one of the UK's top DJ's - DJ Boy
George. Blimey, and hasn't he done well?
From Culture Club to Ezee Posse and now
pretty much one of those top banana DJ's
that can command thousands of pounds
per gig AND get to travel around the
globe. Lucky Bugger. But I like him.
Why? He's honest and doesn't take the
whole "DJ" thing too seriously.
He did play at Mr Smiths in Warrington
though - so he's not TOTALLY faultless...erm,
but hold on... so did Carl Cox....
When did you first start spinning?
I first started spinning records back
in 1979 alongside Jeremy Healy, the most
hardworking and well travelled DJ I know
When was your first DJ gig?
My first real DJ gig was at Venus in Nottingham for the pre-David Beckham sarong
wearing legend James Ballie. I took my tunes in a cardboard box and played
alongside MC Kinky, while Jeremy and Danny Rampling took care of the main
dance floor. We had recently made a record called 'Everything Starts with
an E' which was the combined efforts of myself, Jeremy, Kinky and Simon Rogers
(who later formed Slacker). Jeremy had found a Ronald McDonald educational
L.P that was meant to teach the kids the alphabet whilst luring them to eat
junk food. The Everything starts with an E line was perfect for a tongue
in cheek send up of the Acid House scene which was brimming with loved up
football thugs who were discovering the benefits of MDMA and hugging their
mates and the odd gay pop star. The song was always meant to be a bit of
a send up but we were also celebrating and documenting something we knew
would be huge. Looking at how corporate Dance Music has become, I think we
were spot on. We were called the Ezee Posse and 'Everything Starts with an
E' was our finest moment.
How did DJ'ing become a second career?
I had started DJ'ing around the UK in about 1989. A handful of promoters like
Charlie Chester, Russell and Pete at Progress and the crew at Arena in Middlesborough
booked me to play and allowed me to learn in public. Some might say I am still
doing that but most things in life are a work in progress. I had done a few
back room sets for Debbie and Rick, who threw the big, glamorous Puscha raves
and that led to other promoters offering me work. I also played for my friend
Philip Sallon at The Mud Club at Bagley's warehouse in Kings Cross. My career
as a DJ was never planned, it just grew out of a few nervous gigs for friends
but I started to love it. My manager was absolutely horrified that I was DJ'ing
for three hundred pounds a night in dingy clubs and thought it would destroy
my reputation.
How did fellow DJ's take to seeing you behind
the decks?
At first, I got a lot of bitterness from other DJ's who felt that I was only
getting work on the back of my eighties fame. It was true but no one ever handed
me success on a plate. I worked for years to build my reputation as a musician
and I was well aware that I was a novice on the decks. The dance world is bitchier
than fashion or pop. I still get shit. Recently, I spent what I thought was
a cool weekend in Boston with some hacks from 7 Magazine. This cow journalist
said, "nothing will hold Boy George back, despite his average turntable
skills" well! You try playing with a bunch of gits standing behind you
with their arms folded, willing you to f**k up. I'll never forget the first
gig I did with Sasha down in Hastings on the South Coast. I was shitting myself
but Sasha was really cool and complemented my set. I discovered that the bigger
the DJ, the more cool they were. It's very British to think that you can only
succeed at someone else's expense. Anyway, lots of DJ's have started trying
to be pop stars and I have no problem with that. I know I'm a better musician
than a DJ but I am learning all the time.
Do you feel more accepted now?
As a DJ, I know I still have my detractors but I'm getting more relaxed about
it. I used to be so scared and shaky. Everyone f***s up a mix from time to
time, I've seen them all f***k up. The best advice I ever got was from Jon
Pleased. I was playing in Manchester and I did a right clanger. John said, "at
least they know you're here". I think some DJ's take it too seriously,
it's only playing records.
What about favourite DJ's?
Carl Cox is a wizard and I have a lot of respect for Danny Rampling, Oakenfold,
Tomislav, Digweed, Andy Penny, Dean Millward and Jon Pleased who's a mate.
There's loads of resident DJ's that are genius but they don't get the attention.
I get more excited about records or producers than DJ's. You have to remember
that without the music, there would be little to talk about. I love labels
like 'Whole Nine Yards', producers like Dylan Rhymes and Neat Katie. I think
Bedrock is one of the best labels, Whoop and Junior too.
Do you think you are seriously misunderstood?
Isn't everyone? I think my image and my personality, which is outwardly loud
and confident, gives people the wrong impression. Inside, I'm a quivering mess,
but I hide it well. I think for someone to really love me, it would take time
and effort. I'm very selfish and complicated with my emotions but I'll always
pay for dinner.
What's your motto?
Two things, "Remember you're a Womble" and "You teach best that
which you need to learn".
Want
to read more? Head over to Trust The DJ for more
on DJ Boy George! |
