It's clear that there are two (at least) Mod scenes just as there are two (at least) NS scenes.
The original Mods appear to have been forward thinking and experimental in terms of both fashion and music. Always looking for the next thing. Much like the progressive NS scene, still around today looking to play other than the "same old, same old". I will grant that these originals may have contributed to the genesis of our scene.
Whereas the Quad mods (love that phrase BTW), are just like todays "oldies", "mainstream", call it what you will, NS scene. Looking to hear the same old sounds (with a few tailor-mades thrown in for good measure). Wearing retro clothes etc etc.
The thing that amuses me is that a fair proportion of those who were and are Quad Mods, have set themselves up as the NS Police and the guardians of the "proper" NS ethos, decrying the oldies brigade when in fact they were exactly the same as these people not too long ago. Admittedly on the Mod scene, but around the NS scene.
A shining example of this was a few (well about 15/16) years ago when one of these Quad Mod's (who DJ's and plays Club Soul, NS and Mod sounds including Secret Affair etc) threw a drink in Ian Levine's face at a Ritz allniter for committing the sacrilege of remaking some NS classic for his Strange World of Northern Soul film, whilst wearing his Mod fancy dress suit. Irony doesn't even begin to describe that situation