The Root Of All Evil On The Soul Scene

[Md Records]

Since my last post "Calling all promoters" I think the majority of us have reached the conclusion that there are TOO MANY VENUES!!To help me next make sense of the current "scene" can you help by answering the next fundamental question.

Is the pursuit of "D.J.'ing" on the "Northern Soul" scene the root of all our problems - clashing, soaring prices of "in demand" records, venue overload,local feuds.

Des Parker

[Pete S]

Damn I thought you were going to say "The Rare Soul Price Guide"

[Guest Gavin Page]

Is the pursuit of "D.J.'ing" on the "Northern Soul" scene the root of all our problems -

Des Parker

Not sure about that one Des, is that not how it's always been?

Only been on the scene as they say since 84 and it's always been the same as far as I have seen

[Md Records]

I'm only playing Devil's advocate here, maybe it's no worst now than back then? What was the ratio of D.J.'s/Wanna be D.J.'s to "paying punters" back in the "old days"

Des Parker

Edited July 6, 2008 by SOUL.INC

[Guest Gavin Page]

That's a close second.

[Prophonics 2029]

I bet its the same, had the Workies (Workingmens & Social Club) on a Thursday, club next to Foxes Biscuits on Friday, Saturday the Ambulance hall then on to the Casino this was all in one small town up north.

Edited July 6, 2008 by Prophonics 2029

[Guest Matt Male]

Is the pursuit of "D.J.'ing" on the "Northern Soul" scene the root of all our problems - clashing, soaring prices of "in demand" records, venue overload,local feuds.

Des Parker

I'm not sure of the question. Are you asking if any of the above are a reason, or suggesting that persuit of DJing causes the others you list?

I think it's a real shame that people who would like to DJ thesedays and probably have a half decent collection of records and really have something to offer the scene will be put off by the constant accusations of 'wannabes' and 'Z-listers'. I don't think anyone has the right to deny others the chance to DJ if they want to. Although, having said that, from a personal point of view i don't think anyone should DJ without original vinyl only. That would cut down the numbers considerably. Maybe the problem isn't 'too many DJs' but too many venues accepting DJs with boots, CDs, laptops or whatever in the persuit of punters, whether for money or ego. At the end of the day that's down to the promoters not the DJs.

As for too many venues and clashes, well again that's down to promoters and maybe those 'promoters' who want to DJ. I think on your earlier thread Des there was a lot of talk about the two tier scene, the Oldies/Soul nights scene and the Progressive/Nighter scene. I think that's true, there are two scenes and a lot of us do hover between the two. Maybe it is time to just ignore the boots/CDs soul nights all together and declare the chopped down rare soul scene as only the nighters (or maybe only a select few nighters) and the few soul nights that play underplayed and newies (are there any? ).

[Simon M]

Promoters need DJ's and on the rare soul scene they need even more ( you only get one hour at most even if your Soul Sam )

check out J-Brews link

https://www.witchsbrew.co.uk/articles_cartoon.html

Edited July 6, 2008 by Simon M

[Dave]

I'm not sure of the question. Are you asking if any of the above are a reason, or suggesting that persuit of DJing causes the others you list?

I think it's a real shame that people who would like to DJ thesedays and probably have a half decent collection of records and really have something to offer the scene will be put off by the constant accusations of 'wannabes' and 'Z-listers'. I don't think anyone has the right to deny others the chance to DJ if they want to. Although, having said that, from a personal point of view i don't think anyone should DJ without original vinyl only. That would cut down the numbers considerably. Maybe the problem isn't 'too many DJs' but too many venues accepting DJs with boots, CDs, laptops or whatever in the persuit of punters, whether for money or ego. At the end of the day that's down to the promoters not the DJs.

As for too many venues and clashes, well again that's down to promoters and maybe those 'promoters' who want to DJ. I think on your earlier thread Des there was a lot of talk about the two tier scene, the Oldies/Soul nights scene and the Progressive/Nighter scene. I think that's true, there are two scenes and a lot of us do hover between the two. Maybe it is time to just ignore the boots/CDs soul nights all together and declare the chopped down rare soul scene as only the nighters (or maybe only a select few nighters) and the few soul nights that play underplayed and newies (are there any? ).

Good point there about the OVO.. it would also prevent the newer records getting tired so quickly.

The only thing is though, those promoters you blame are often promoting because it's the only way they get to DJ!

There are hundreds, maybe thousands, of "DJ's" these days, many of whom have decent collections as you say, but there's still only ten or a dozen DJs whose name on an event billing would persuade me to go out of my way to attend that event.

[billysbag]

Is the pursuit of "D.J.'ing" on the "Northern Soul" scene the root of all our problems - clashing, soaring prices of "in demand" records, venue overload,local feuds.

Des Parker

[Dave]

Is the pursuit of "D.J.'ing" on the "Northern Soul" scene the root of all our problems - clashing, soaring prices of "in demand" records, venue overload,local feuds.

Des Parker

hi des,i rarely contribute to the discussions on this site but this constant sniping at wannabe djs by yourself requires response from a "wanna be" dj.

how about we look at an alternative scenario. lets keep all the existing venues and their playing policies as the only venues.

that means that,to some extent, the same records will be played from now to the end of kingdom come.

prices of unknown or lesser played record will no longer soar.there will be no local feuds.ther will be no new sounds aired.there will be no competition for recognised djs .There will be no reason to go to a venue because all the records will have been already played to death.

we could stop the scene from evolving completely.

the reason for wanna be djs is dissatisfaction with localised playing policies. there are some quite well known djs who ,i think, feel the same way.hence this continuing sprinkling of new venues attempting to play something different and move.locally, the music forward.If recognised djs played progressive sets there would be no need for seedling venues/djs.

we would still be going to cats/wigan/yate/ listening to searling/wistanley/minshull et al.

Hmm. I reckon most of the exciting new records I've heard in the last few years have been played by "recognised DJs". In fact you could say "big name" DJs. And mainly at nighters.

[Guest Mark Holmes]

Different view here but thats because i am in a far off country!!

Is the ammount of venues about the music?

Or is it a group of people who are getting older and want to create their own social clubs. Remember the working mens clubs of the last century where there was an MC who sang like Des O'Connor or Matt Monroe etc etc... are they still there, are the factories and coliieries and steel mills etc that spawned these venues still there? Remember the previous generations or those older than us used to go these clubs and the British Legion to get away from the skinheads, yobs, greasers, hippies, punks and them lads in them bloody wide pants, that terrorized the pubs,so they created and attended their own "safe" places.

Are the people who create venues creating their own "safe" places because they don't want to be in the same pub as the chavs, idiots and knife wielding loonies that frequent those pubs. Oh and while we are creating those "safe" places lets spin some of that old timey soul music we used to listen to when we was young and see if we can get more people in to our "club" and charge them for it and it will be just like old times, "they have a CD player hooked up to the speakers!"

If I was "on the soul scene" I would choose weekenders over soul nights where the music policy was "across the board" and I could get plenty of it. But them I am a sucker for big venues like Trentham Gardens, The Ritz, Kings Hall and that ramshackle old building The Casino, not that I am looking for a "safe" place or comfort level.

So is this about getting older and creating a level of comfort or is it about the music, wannabe DJ's, money etc.

[paultp]

Since my last post "Calling all promoters" I think the majority of us have reached the conclusion that there are TOO MANY VENUES!!To help me next make sense of the current "scene" can you help by answering the next fundamental question.

Is the pursuit of "D.J.'ing" on the "Northern Soul" scene the root of all our problems - clashing, soaring prices of "in demand" records, venue overload,local feuds.

Des Parker

How did you start DJing?

[Guest bazabod_downunder]

As you Mark I'm on the otherside of the world & obviously have no 'on the ground' experience of the current UK scene having left the UK years ago while the soul scene in general was going through it's 'dark period' of not alot of interest.

The scene here is wider because we all socialise outside of it as well, it brought us together & from all over the country.

As for the 'wannabe DJ's', (not my words) yes there are possibly a fair amount of localised soul nites that have spawned a number of people that could be identified as such but with the resurgent in the scene, these people who have dusted out their old record boxes, relive some memories, play a few tunes & some of those people could not be classed as DJ's as they are not getting paid for their time or neither do it as a full time job....but didn't most big name DJ's start out as collectors, getting spots at nighters because they were friends of someone else....the problem for you in the UK is that they do seem to be springing up all over the place.....the limited access to the once rarer than rare is long with the internet....so therefore babyboomers with wads buying.

I could easily fit into the catogory as I promote & run a Soul Nite here with two other poms, I really don't give a monkeys chuff, we often don't have spots as we have guests from interstate or overseas, as here out of all the states, all the soul nites there is only one person that could be classified as a full time DJ, that being Vince Peach down in Melbourne.....none of us get paid, we usually pay, even when we travel interstate.

The crutch of the matter is we are all free thinking people...if the venue hasn't got the DJ's you like, doesn't play what you like, don't go....let the feet do the walking!

Here's a piccie of one of my co-promoters Ainsley from the Sydney National 2005.

KTF

Baz

Different view here but thats because i am in a far off country!!

Is the ammount of venues about the music?

Or is it a group of people who are getting older and want to create their own social clubs. Remember the working mens clubs of the last century where there was an MC who sang like Des O'Connor or Matt Monroe etc etc... are they still there, are the factories and coliieries and steel mills etc that spawned these venues still there? Remember the previous generations or those older than us used to go these clubs and the British Legion to get away from the skinheads, yobs, greasers, hippies, punks and them lads in them bloody wide pants, that terrorized the pubs,so they created and attended their own "safe" places.

Are the people who create venues creating their own "safe" places because they don't want to be in the same pub as the chavs, idiots and knife wielding loonies that frequent those pubs. Oh and while we are creating those "safe" places lets spin some of that old timey soul music we used to listen to when we was young and see if we can get more people in to our "club" and charge them for it and it will be just like old times, "they have a CD player hooked up to the speakers!"

If I was "on the soul scene" I would choose weekenders over soul nights where the music policy was "across the board" and I could get plenty of it. But them I am a sucker for big venues like Trentham Gardens, The Ritz, Kings Hall and that ramshackle old building The Casino, not that I am looking for a "safe" place or comfort level.

So is this about getting older and creating a level of comfort or is it about the music, wannabe DJ's, money etc.

[Rob Wigley]

I'm only playing Devil's advocate here, maybe it's no worst now than back then? What was the ratio of D.J.'s/Wanna be D.J.'s to "paying punters" back in the "old days"

Des Parker

hi Des, the problem/cause may be the availability of "cheap" Disco tackle, you can buy decks everywhere, with decent PA amps & speakers to run your own do in a small hall or room.

it is also posibly a hang over from the house scene where punters are actively encourage to mix or reproduce / make records in their own bedrooms and generally "have a go"

So northern collectors who fancy a bit of Djing set up a soul night and have a bash and hey presto, not only are they "DJs" but "promoters" as well.

Back in the day it was the equiptment that was hard to get hold of if you wanted to run something, a set of Citronic hawaii decks, (150 W stereo ) and speakers would cost you £500

which was a months wages, now you can pop down Argos and set up for £300 ! I ve had to beg to get tackle sometimes in the past but now everyone seems to have it !

just my twopence worth there----

rob

[Chalky]

I bet its the same, had the Workies (Workingmens & Social Club) on a Thursday, club next to Foxes Biscuits on Friday, Saturday the Ambulance hall then on to the Casino this was all in one small town up north.

Maybe so but back in the good old days all-nighters was what it was all about, everything else secondary. Now the soul night scene is probably having a bigger say of what goes and who are the so called "top" djs. It was also a bit of a closed shop as to who DJ'ed at an all-nighter as well at one time.

[Guest ruffsounds]

Back in the day it was the equiptment that was hard to get hold of if you wanted to run something, a set of Citronic hawaii decks, (150 W stereo ) and speakers would cost you £500

which was a months wages, now you can pop down Argos and set up for £300 ! I ve had to beg to get tackle sometimes in the past but now everyone seems to have it !

just my twopence worth there----

rob

[Rob Wigley]

Back in the day it was the equiptment that was hard to get hold of if you wanted to run something, a set of Citronic hawaii decks, (150 W stereo ) and speakers would cost you £500

which was a months wages, now you can pop down Argos and set up for £300 ! I ve had to beg to get tackle sometimes in the past but now everyone seems to have it !

just my twopence worth there----

rob

Rob

I totally agree on this, gone are the days of only certain people having the equipment or clubs with their own in house systems nowadays everyone has a setup, i myself have upgraded from those all in one citronic systems to in my opinion a good setup over the last 30 plus years as i also do my own mobile work as well.

The other thing is nowadays everyone has transport so its a lot easier to jump in a car and drive somewhere unlike myself and countless others who used to finish work at 12-30 on a friday go straight home for a bath and change of clothes stuff a bag with some clean bits then catch a bus or train to wherever and not return home till the Sunday night after doing 3 or 4 venues over the weekend, then spend all week at work thinking about where and how to get to the following weeks do's.

No wonder we were all slim in those days as the only thing we used to eat on a weekend were sandwitch's and pills and the odd burger or bag of chips lol.

cheers Ralph

Just thought of something else, all the blame lies with the invention of..........

THE HATCH-BACK CAR you can fit all the tackle in the back and you don't even need a transit van anymore !

Rob

[Md Records]

Some good stuff so far, Rob's point about the kit is excellent, as is Chalky's about more emphasis on Allnighters. I'm not sure about the mild, personal attack from Bill (I wonder if a warm welcome awaits me when I attend his new Soul night) but the thread isn't about "Wanna Be" D.J.'s but a general question about a possible causes of some of the percieved problems of the scene, at all levels (including established D.J.'s). Just for your information, Bill, I have no problem with anyone having a go at "D.J.'ing" (you obviously don't know me well enough), my definition of a "wannabe" (A term I NEVER used in my original question) is someone who's "D.J.'ing" aspirations are above everything else (the music, the scene etc), I'm sure that's not how you see yourself.

Des Parker

Edited July 7, 2008 by SOUL.INC

[Guest ruffsounds]

Just thought of something else, all the blame lies with the invention of..........

THE HATCH-BACK CAR you can fit all the tackle in the back and you don't even need a transit van anymore !

Rob

The thing is Rob the systems now are bigger and bulkier what with Subs/Amp Units/Stands and the likes but they seem to fit in the Hatchbacks , me i used to fill my poor old minivan lol.

cheers Ralph

[Guest ruffsounds]

My final say on this is, about how many venues there is now.

Most events now are held in clubs that years ago used to cater for their members on Fri/Sat nights i.e. by having Bingo and then some form of entertainment Singers/Comedians or Bands but over the years it has changed, no longer does the whole family go out together to the local club on a weekend for their entertainment as the only time most family's go out as a unit is when it's a birthday or suchlike.

And if you tried to book a room at the local club on a Friday/Sat night you would be told sorry but its being used by the members, unlike today when lots of clubs are struggling to get the locals in and dont have to fork out £££s to fill the rooms as before because it is all done by the promoters and the clubs makes a healthy profit on the nights used.

And perhaps some clubs that are relatively close to each other have now jumped on the bandwagon by saying the club down the road are doing great with those N/S nights i'll have some of that so anyone want a N/S night come here and start one.

Gone are the days when there was only a dozen or so venues on a weekend to go to, nowadays you can get a dozen venues in a 20 mile radius and each one will have its fans for whatever reason, so i am afraid we will just have to pick and choose whichever venue we choose to support.

cheers Ralph

[Spacehopper]

f*** me its like ground hog day on here lately !!

[Guest]

the reason for wanna be djs is dissatisfaction with localised playing policies. there are some quite well known djs who ,i think, feel the same way.hence this continuing sprinkling of new venues attempting to play something different and move.locally, the music forward.If recognised djs played progressive sets there would be no need for seedling venues/djs.

we would still be going to cats/wigan/yate/ listening to searling/wistanley/minshull et al.

which is fine, when people decide to have a go at DJ'ing - you never know who has what hidden talents until they have a go, I think anyone who fancies it and has the collections should have a go at DJ'ing, for the reasons you' point out above, it's got to be good for the scene.

The problems occurr when (for want of a better phrase) wanna be - or shall we say "new" DJ's then start their own nights too soon, primarily so they can DJ. It becomes about themselves, not about whether it's good for the scene. Half of these kind of nights fold within a year, which is also plenty of time to divide a local crowd and financially cripple other better run venues.

I've known cases where the guys were totally committed and loved the music but they were inexperienced DJ's, who got too keen and didn't give themselves time to become experienced DJ's before becoming promotors - Then becoming inexperienced promotors, not doing their homework first and becoming disillusioned with the scene they loved when it all went wrong. Really sad.

Jayne.x.

Edited July 7, 2008 by Miss BurySoul

[Guest]

f*** me its like ground hog day on here lately !!

yes it is.

Because

A) they are big issues that you can't ignore if you're out every week and

There is only so much you can discuss about the music and the scene. The same subjects (over time) should

show the change in people's attitudes perhaps and produce different replies, reflecting the changing scene..Hmmm (in theory)

Jayne.x.

[Dylan]

ground hog day indeed

it does seem to be getting worse and worse.

prehaps its time for another break from the forum for me.

I had about 5 months not reading then came back full of hope only to ready post after post of this kind of stuff.

but in the 3 or so months i've been back on i've added a couple of great 45s to the collection and made a couple of new contacts so its not all bad.

also

i'm more concearned about the fact that another copy of jimmy holloway has just appeared on ebay. Hope there aren't going to be too many more ????

[Chris L]

I think the majority of us have reached the conclusion that there are TOO MANY VENUES!!

To help me next make sense of the current "scene" can you help by answering the next

fundamental question.

Is the pursuit of "D.J.'ing" on the "Northern Soul" scene the root of all our problems - clashing, soaring prices of "in demand" records, venue overload,local feuds.

Des Parker

If there are "too many" venues the bad ones will wilt and die and the strong ones will flourish,

the punters will call the shots. Venues that are dross with shysten DJs playing shysten sounds

will lose their audiences. Take a look at the ones that are packed out they will be around long

after tonight is all over.

"Soaring record prices" not sure what planet you live on but record prices are diving faster

than a Trafalgar class SSBN (that's a submarine BTW). Only top notch rare oldies, newies,

etc are still fetching anywhere near recent prices, anything else can be had for twopence.

Even in demanders are less than 2 years ago, any record dealer I talk to tells me they are

selling fewer and fewer records to fewer and fewer customers. Whereas re-issues were getting

£30 - £60 a go most can be had now for a fiver.

As for feuds even SS members are tiring of these, that's a good indication of the waning

interest in "well, that's what I heard anyway". The mention of Ian L rarely raises an eyelid

nowadays, long gone are the raging, end of the world, life & death discussions of old.

NS is going thru a normal cycle, old punters came back, record prices went up, venue

attendances too, now most have gotten it out of their system 2nd time round, prices

are falling and venue attendances too, give it a year or two and things could be back

to "normal" mind you not sure you can ever put "normal" and "Northern Soul" in the same

sentance.

Chris L

[Pete S]

ground hog day indeed

it does seem to be getting worse and worse.

prehaps its time for another break from the forum for me.

I had about 5 months not reading then came back full of hope only to ready post after post of this kind of stuff.

Oh come off it, there's tons and tons of great stuff to read on here, some fantastic music (except the modern), video clips, playlists, jokes even and there's some fantastic people, one thread about people moaning doesn't make it a terrible place to come, there's people here who couldn't function normally without a daily visit to Soul Source.

[Simsy]

Well said that man!

[Chris L]

Oh come off it, there's tons and tons of great stuff to read on here, some fantastic music (except the modern), video clips, playlists, jokes even and there's some fantastic people, one thread about people moaning doesn't make it a terrible place to come, there's people here who couldn't function normally without a daily visit to Soul Source.

A couple of weeks on the Freebasing bit and you'll be as right as rain (as long as it's not Acid rain...

.......man)

Chris L

[Guest moggy]

Oh come off it, there's tons and tons of great stuff to read on here, some fantastic music (except the modern), video clips, playlists, jokes even and there's some fantastic people, one thread about people moaning doesn't make it a terrible place to come, there's people here who couldn't function normally without a daily visit to Soul Source.

Nice reply Pete,

and if he has bothered to read all the replys it's had some interesting points made would not say same old same old.

[Guest TONY ROUNCE]

Damn I thought you were going to say "The Rare Soul Price Guide"

Nah, it's got to be Soussan, surely....

[Md Records]

I threw this question up to instill a bit of debate, about what has caused/is causing some of the percieved problems on the "scene" and I say percieved, because the Jury still seems to be out as to whether there ARE any problems with TOO MANY VENUES etc. I haven't found the definitive answer I thought I may find, but am grateful for the input of those that have posted, and to the person who asked "How did you start D.J.'ing" simple...............................I was asked!!

Des Parker

[Tomangoes]

I think one of the differences now to 'way back then' in terms of DJs in particular was that there were not many making a living out of the scene, but fees raised payed for 'the latest sounds'. Today it seems its more possible to make a living if you are lucky. This or that DJs favouite hits CD for example.

Venues open up, last a year or so, and shut down. Its always been that way. Obviously the more popular ones like the 100 Club etc buck the trend, but still on average they come and go.

The other point is that 'way back when' older blokes were DJs and younger blokes were the punters. Today there are no young blokes, so its inevitable that more folks would like to DJ.

The good DJ though is made up of many things, including knowledge, personality, tool box (records), etc etc. Thats why the Soul Sams are still here and at the top after all these years, because on the whole they always deliver.

Nothing wrong with wannabees, but its a long drag to the top as opposed to a short sprint. (Unless you discover 100 storming rare soul tunes, nobody has heard before) then its possible.

Ed

[Dylan]

Oh come off it, there's tons and tons of great stuff to read on here, some fantastic music (except the modern), video clips, playlists, jokes even and there's some fantastic people, one thread about people moaning doesn't make it a terrible place to come, there's people here who couldn't function normally without a daily visit to Soul Source.

you missed this bit when quoting me

but in the 3 or so months i've been back on i've added a couple of great 45s to the collection and made a couple of new contacts so its not all bad.

and refosoul is very good. I should certainly add that. Its very informative.

but its not just one thread with people moaning its quite a few more noticeable lately for some reason ?

[Mak]

Maybe the problem isn't 'too many DJs' but too many venues accepting DJs with boots,

Bang on Matt , anyone can fill a box with boots and call themselves DJ'S . Cut them out and you cut out a chuck of bootleg DJ'S thus making way for Dj's or collectors to freshen up the venues. It may even weed out venues that fail top deliver what they advertise . I recently attended a venue that was advertised as ''Always a packer , underplayed and x/over ,when I arrived after a 48 mile trip it was empty and playing disco shite Imagine how someone making a comeback on to the scene and being greeted with that

Tony MAK

[mrs soul]

Since my last post "Calling all promoters" I think the majority of us have reached the conclusion that there are TOO MANY VENUES!!To help me next make sense of the current "scene" can you help by answering the next fundamental question.

Is the pursuit of "D.J.'ing" on the "Northern Soul" scene the root of all our problems - clashing, soaring prices of "in demand" records, venue overload,local feuds.

Des Parker

possibly..however, everybody can have a crack at the whip, so,s to speak, what I have found , that many really good DJ, s who have the most fantastic collections get looked over, in favour of mates, and you give me a spot and I will give you one syndrome, thats where the most damage is done, for if you are going to do the thankless task of putting on a soul nite etc, please think about the type of punters you want to attract, and what music you want played, to be a good DJ, takes an enormous amount of knowledge, you cant just plonk anything on the decks, you have to know what going to get a reaction, what Will follow on etc, I cant abide boots, so maybe the answer is to promoters to think about who they are booking, sorry if this upsets some people, you cant come on this scene and just start DJ,ing, you need to earn your respect, and that takes time, and the right attitude, as I do do a bit, but remember, I have been helping woody collect for over 30 years, so I always think of myself as time served, however, I have no great desire to be a big main time DJ, just somebody who can warm up and play something different, and playing something different seems to me, to be what some promoters are afraid of, to many venues playing the same old same old, so we all moan about the same old, so what do we do, go to venues that play the same old, its like going round in a crazy circle, in the main its our choice to go where we know what the crack is, music and friendship being the main, I would have thought,so whats the answer, I think their ain't one, a good venue run right, will always prevail. a bad one will fall by the wayside, and in between we will still be having the same debate!

[mrs soul]

Since my last post "Calling all promoters" I think the majority of us have reached the conclusion that there are TOO MANY VENUES!!To help me next make sense of the current "scene" can you help by answering the next fundamental question.

Is the pursuit of "D.J.'ing" on the "Northern Soul" scene the root of all our problems - clashing, soaring prices of "in demand" records, venue overload,local feuds.

Des Parker

possibly..however, everybody can have a crack at the whip, so,s to speak, what I have found , that many really good DJ, s who have the most fantastic collections get looked over, in favour of mates, and you give me a spot and I will give you one syndrome, thats where the most damage is done, for if you are going to do the thankless task of putting on a soul nite etc, please think about the type of punters you want to attract, and what music you want played, to be a good DJ, takes an enormous amount of knowledge, you cant just plonk anything on the decks, you have to know what going to get a reaction, what Will follow on etc, I cant abide boots, so maybe the answer is to promoters to think about who they are booking, sorry if this upsets some people, you cant come on this scene and just start DJ,ing, you need to earn your respect, and that takes time, and the right attitude, as I do do a bit, but remember, I have been helping woody collect for over 30 years, so I always think of myself as time served, however, I have no great desire to be a big main time DJ, just somebody who can warm up and play something different, and playing something different seems to me, to be what some promoters are afraid of, to many venues playing the same old same old, so we all moan about the same old, so what do we do, go to venues that play the same old, its like going round in a crazy circle, in the main its our choice to go where we know what the crack is, music and friendship being the main, I would have thought,so whats the answer, I think their ain't one, a good venue run right, will always prevail. a bad one will fall by the wayside, and in between we will still be having the same debate!

[mrs soul]

soz, its gone on twice

[Md Records]

Good point, well put Lou.

Des Parker

[Guest gordon russell]

Since my last post "Calling all promoters" I think the majority of us have reached the conclusion that there are TOO MANY VENUES!!To help me next make sense of the current "scene" can you help by answering the next fundamental question.

Is the pursuit of "D.J.'ing" on the "Northern Soul" scene the root of all our problems - clashing, soaring prices of "in demand" records, venue overload,local feuds.

Des Parker

Yes is the answer.........there are at least 6or7 venues in this area,the promoters who run them are also the resident djs,they all guest at one anothers venues.In all my years i've seen this happen time and time again.None of these fellas go out to other venues just as punters.Therefore it stands to reason they have no interest in this scene,the music is of a youth club type mostly played on any old format. I've been on this scene for many a year,when I had a very large collection I never ever thought of being a dj ....never thought I had good enough tunes for a start,always wanted to be out and about enjoying the crac and the music.In my book your not on the scene just because you run your own little empire locally....I don't know?,but if this is mirrored all over the country,we must be in a sorry state.These people have no desire to be part of the bigger picture,to go and hear great tunes played by real men of soul and to that end it is this lot that is ruining some parts of the scene like it or not.However all is not lost by a long way we know that historically as most of em have been around (locally only) for about 5 years they'll soon be off.the allnighter scene as I have said time and again is thriving.All over the country there are some top venues that more than make up for Wanna be dj/promoters damaging antics.Great news in this area,one of these wanna be venues has bitten the dust.....good say I....it was run by a fella who has not been out anywhere locally or otherwise for as long as anyone can remember....you know the type of fella....posted on this site 4 times that he was going to this do or that....see everyone there..........never turned up at any of em. all the best kfc tezza

[Guest gordon russell]

JUST BEEN READING a lookback thread about a local venue to me and all the guest dj's thanked all and sundry for going to said venue and how good said venue is,and how they hope it remains good...........but none of THESE FELLAS GO TO SAID VENUE UNLESS THEY'RE BLOODY DJING......and it's no f**king good either posting up "have a great night lads,for anyone who ain't been this is a great club".and then settle down to watch corrie...this is the scenes problem in a nut shell

[Russoul1]

JUST BEEN READING a lookback thread about a local venue to me and all the guest dj's thanked all and sundry for going to said venue and how good said venue is,and how they hope it remains good...........but none of THESE FELLAS GO TO SAID VENUE UNLESS THEY'RE BLOODY DJING......and it's no f**king good either posting up "have a great night lads,for anyone who ain't been this is a great club".and then settle down to watch corrie...this is the scenes problem in a nut shell

would this said venue be hitchin terry?

[mrs soul]

At the end of the day, we all decide where WE want to go, you have to follow your heart and not the hype, there are a lot of people who don't travel, there are a lot of people who do, you pays your money and you,s make your choice, their are a lots of venues run by mates! but if they want to expand and make it better,then they have to get out of this matey syndrome and its up to them to think about where they are going with this, some venues are quite happy to troddle along, some want something better, and work hard at it, some don't, some don't care, its all about personal choice in this varied and sometimes crazy scene of ours

[paultp]

I threw this question up to instill a bit of debate, about what has caused/is causing some of the percieved problems on the "scene" and I say percieved, because the Jury still seems to be out as to whether there ARE any problems with TOO MANY VENUES etc. I haven't found the definitive answer I thought I may find, but am grateful for the input of those that have posted, and to the person who asked "How did you start D.J.'ing" simple...............................I was asked!!

Des Parker

On what basis were you asked to DJ?

Your ability to put a set together?

Your ability to read a dance floor?

Your mate was running a do?

You had some decks?

[Md Records]

I don't really understasnd why my life story has anything to do with a theoretical question. The question I originally asked is not aimed at those who want to D.J. but haven't "made it" but EVERYBODY who has that urge to D.J. and at what degree is that urge detrimental to the scene? If I'd have said it was a Mate that gave me a "spot" how does that relate to the question. If you want further clarification of why I've been asked to D.J. wait until you see my name on a flyer and ask the promoter, coz I'm F***ed if I know!

Des Parker

P.S. Good web site, worth checking out.

Edited July 8, 2008 by SOUL.INC

[Reg]

I think it'sjust a sign of the times, you can buy into anything...be a dj, buy £1000 records, promote a night..reputation or history doesn't matter as long as you know the right people....and do enough creeping

Like life in the Uk in general really

[mrs soul]

sometimes a " mate " can give you a leg up so,s to speak, but hopefully because they have faith in you and your records, where it goes wrong is when a " mate" books you because you are a friend and NOT on your records, so you ain't bringing anything fresh to the venue, and this is where the same old same old applies, because you have a venue where its the same tunes over and over again, and that can be totally boring for me anyway.

[chrissie]

Yes is the answer.........there are at least 6or7 venues in this area,the promoters who run them are also the resident djs,they all guest at one anothers venues.In all my years i've seen this happen time and time again.None of these fellas go out to other venues just as punters.kfc tezza

You wont be at Danny's birthday party then

To be fair Terry, I don't think the promoters of all local venue's should be tarred with the same brush. You often see Hammie out and about, Taffy attends a large amount of local venues, as do Pete Tebbutt and Sean Chapman and you can't go anywhere without bumping into Toby .......but I do sort of know what or who you are getting at

QoFxx

[Steve G]

then settle down to watch corrie...this is the scenes problem in a nut shell

So Corrie is the root of all evil?

Have to say thought round here all DJs played OVO. Had a shock recently when I saw local man playing carvers of released stuff. I was going to complain to the promotor, but then remembered he was the one that booked said DJ in the first place.

Still too many venues and DJs....and an ageing population.

[chrissie]

So Corrie is the root of all evil?

Have to say thought round here all DJs played OVO. Had a shock recently when I saw local man playing carvers of released stuff. I was going to complain to the promotor, but then remembered he was the one that booked said DJ in the first place.

Still too many venues and DJs....and an ageing population.

I would of still complained

QoFxx