Friday is Not a Superstar DJ, it is a Very Naughty Boy
Yes, this weekend I am a superstar DJ, or at least I get to kid myself that I am one. Apart from full-on dancey, mixey, beat-matching stuff (and even then I have my doubts) I have never thought of DJing as much of a skill, I have to confess. As I said in the comments section of a thread discussing this ages ago, however, if it’s possible to do it badly, which it clearly is, then it must be a skill. Still, irrespective of not really knowing what I am doing, and the dubious merits of my presence to everyone else, someone like me is always going to enjoy forcing their music taste on other people and that is exactly what I am going to do: relax, get pickled on gin, and play a lot of tunes.
First a Cabaret Voltaire tonight as part of the excellent Oxjam Take Over Edinburgh night (which will sadly prevent me getting to see lots of bands I would like to see, but there you go). I might play more raucous stuff at this one – the situation seems to call for it, what with Friday night drinking and so on. The the following day I am popping down to the Bowery to play some tunes at MarchéMarché, a craft fair which will have some live music and things going on as well, and generally sounds like a lovely day.
Other than that, my friend Andrew is visiting from London this weekend, which is excellent. I remember from living in London that it’s all too easy to expect people in the provinces to come to you, albeit for no better reason that laziness. Mind you, if you had to make an hour’s journey just to have a pint with a mate then you’d bloody well expect other people to make an effort, I suppose, wouldn’t you. In any case, Andrew and Natalie aren’t really like that because they’ve come to see us twice since we’ve been here, which is more than anyone else from down there. London: about twelve million people; Scotland: about six. Weird, when you think of it.
So here we are once again, at the end of a very talkative week on Song, by Toad. But it’s not all about the big-mouths remember, Friday is as ever a de-lurking amnesty and a chance for the quiet people who just potter by and marvel at the madness to get involved themselves and see just how much of an embarrassment they can make of themselves. Let’s face it, the rest of us are pretty good at that already. And remember, Fives first, then pish, not the other way around.
1. If you were a DJ, what would be the most inappropriate song you would like to play and the most inopportune moment?
2. Song for your funeral.
3. Song you’d like to sneak onto the record player at your worst enemy’s funeral, just to ruin it.
4. Name a fantasy cover version you’d love to hear.
5. Name a fantasy duet you’d love to hear.
And here, after all the moaning I’ve done about cover songs this week, are some covers I really like, for various reasons:
The Gourds – Gin & Juice (This may be the best cover of all time.)
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Hawksley Workman – Bankrobber (Just weird, but good.)
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The Specials – Guns of Navarone
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The Dead Kennedys – Viva Las Vegas
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