Profiles of some of the best 60s / Mod DJs in North America - Part I

As one of the largest Mod gatherings this side of the Atlantic is quickly approaching, I thought it would be a good idea to introduce some of you to the best wax spinners the American continent has to offer. MODchicago is celebrating the 10th year anniversary of the Our Way ofThinking weekender. It has been known to attract some top DJs from around the globe and somehow I was fortunate enough to be invited to join this elite force for a second consecutive year.

Without further ado, here is part I of the Best 60s / Mod DJs in North America starting with THE man himself, the one behind MODchicago, Sir Eric Colin.

If you are interested in having any of the DJs featured here be part of your event or night, I’ll be happy to transfer the info to them (without the usual 20% cut!)

 

- Your name / DJ name: Eric Colin - Sir Eric Colin

- City: Chicago

- How would you describe your musical style?

Messianic 60’s / Heavy 70’s

- What is your “go to” track? The one you will likely never get tired of spinning?

Groovy Woovy By Los Buenos

- Regardless of price, name THE record that is missing from your collection?

Too many to mention but the glaring omissions would be “Don’t Blow Your Mind” By The Spiders and “Lay Down And Die Goodbye” by The Nazz; both early versions of what would become Alice Cooper.

- Where can we see you spin on a regular basis? Tell us about the night or an event you would like to promote.

Always Late Bar, sometimes Rodan.

I would love to promote MODchicago’s 10 year Anniversary Weekender Celebration.

It is as follows: As you glace back sullenly at yesterdays bankruptcies and forgotten promises, upon the horizon there is a time of great beauty and soulful endeavor waiting for you; a bacchanalian celebration of all that is righteous and magical.

Ladies and gentlemen, we ask you to join us in celebrating 10 years of the finest sounds in Chicago on June 22nd-23rd with MODchicago 10: The Underground Symposium. Our international DJs specialize in an all vinyl smorgasbord of Mod, Soul, Garage, Freakbeat, Psych & Hard Rock sounds designed specifically for your maximum dancing pleasure.

MEET AND GREET WITH THE ELITE AT LIARS CLUB

Friday June 22nd Liar’s Club 9PM-2AM
1665 W. Fullerton Parkway, Chicago
SOUL / R&B & GARAGE PUNK DJs slinging hot wax all night

MODchicago Garage Sale & Record Swap

Saturday June 23rd Record Fair 1PM – 5PM
Favorite Records
1535 W. Division St, Chicago IL
Come buy, sell and trade rare 45’s and LP’s with dealers from around the world
Free admission

Saturday June 23rd LATE BAR 10PM- 5AM

All night Soul / Garage / Freakbeat & Psychedelic dance party with DJs From Around The Globe! $10 dollars

Plus Psychedelic light show and a plethora of freaky flicks to view.

Your weekender DJs:

Laurent Reus – Revolver Records (Barcelona, Spain)
Midnite Cowbwoy – One Track Mind (Raleigh, NC)
DJ Soulmarcosa - Mescalina Club LA / Masala Beat Club (Los Angeles, CA)
DJ Parka Pat - Parka Avenue (Montreal, Quebec)
DJ Bossyboots – Smashed Blocked (New York)
Amanda Otto – Reaction (Baltimore, MD)
Plastic Crimewave - Plastic Crimewave Sound (Chicago, IL)
Moe Madness & Psychedalex – MODchicago (Chicago, IL)
Sir Eric Colin – MODchicago (Chicago, IL)
Derek See – Derek’s Daily 45 (San Francisco, CA)
Katie Rinaldi – Live Kicks / Intl Beat Club (Los Angeles, CA)

As you are introduced to a brave new world the only requirement will be that you give your body to the ritual!

- Is vinyl the only acceptable format for playing your style of music?

Indeed it is!

 
- What is your favorite place to buy records?

Record Dugout in Chicago

 

- Your name / DJ name: Derek See

- City: Bay Area, CA

- How would you describe your musical style?

I mix equal parts R&B, beat and soul. I feel that my job as a DJ is to be the soundtrack to a party, so I keep it uptempo and never self-indulgent.

- What is your “go to” track? The one you will likely never get tired of spinning?

Blowing Up My Mind by The Exciters, along with dozens of others.

- Regardless of price, name THE record that is missing from your collection?

An original copy of No One To Love by Pat Lewis

- Where can we see you spin on a regular basis? Tell us about the night or an event you would like to promote.

I don't have a regular night, currently. Often times I spin sets before bands- most notably, Iggy & The Stooges and The Brian Jonestown Massacre.

- Is vinyl the only acceptable format for playing your style of music?

YES

- What is your favorite place to buy records?

Anywhere and everywhere.

- Your name / DJ name: DJ Amanda Otto

- City: Baltimore/ DC

- How would you describe your musical style?

Sounds like it is 1969 and your foreign exchange student just joined the female chapter of Hell's Angels.

- What is your “go to” track? The one you will likely never get tired of spinning?

Keith West - The Kid Was a Killer

- Regardless of price, name THE record that is missing from your collection?

A woman should never have to pick just one, we are made of sugar and spice! So for the sugar I need a copy of Ennio Morricone - Splash (from the Partner soundtrack) and for the spice I need Purple Sun - Doomsday!

- Where can we see you spin on a regular basis? Tell us about the night or an event you would like to promote.

REACTION! Happening 2nd Fridays at the Sidebar Tavern in Baltimore. Over six years of djs, live music, 2 for 1 drinks, a bus of vintage clothing and occasional body painting!

- Is vinyl the only acceptable format for playing your style of music?

Far be it for me to decide what is acceptable for others, but for me the difference is like buying a vintage couture dress versus one from Walmart. But if you like Walmart, who am I to judge?

- What is your favorite place to buy records?

Hands down the Arbutus Record Fair, happening monthly at the fire hall in Arbutus, Maryland!

  

- Your name / DJ name

Brian E. Harris, DJ Midnite Cowbwoy (spelling is correct, JA patois ala The Harder They Come)

- City: I live just outside of Raleigh, North Carolina

- How would you describe your musical style?

I started out playing Soul (Stax, Motown), and Reggae (Ska, Rocksteady) mid-90s in the scooter & skinhead scene, through the years Funk, Northern Soul, Garage, Psych, & Mod sounds have continued to fill the record boxes and dancefloors.

- What is your “go to” track? The one you will likely never get tired of spinning?

I'm too ADD to keep a record in #1 spot for too long. I have a list a mile long of records that I beat the hell out of over the years.

- Regardless of price, name THE record that is missing from your collection?

Paul Vann - One Track Mind

- Where can we see you spin on a regular basis? Tell us about the night or an event you would like to promote.

One Track Mind is usually the last Friday of every month at Neptune's Parlor in Raleigh NC

- Is vinyl the only acceptable format for playing your style of music?

Of course!

- What is your favorite place to buy records?

These days eBay and various Facebook record groups tend to get most of my record money.

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Thank you to all the DJs who took the time to share their insights. A part II will be up shortly.