DJ Warren Peace. I couldn't think of a
more polarizing figure to have hit the Mod Scene in the last few
years. To say that he's controversial might be an understatement. The
host of the very popular We Are The Mods radio show thrives on
conflict and will challenge you to a debate at the drop of a pork pie
hat. His on air persona is loud and in your “Face”. He pushes
buttons and doesn't back down from a fight. He's not satisfied with
the current Status Quo of the Mod world and he's here to rattle a few
cages.
Some love him, some despise him, some
of us respect him but one thing is certain, a LOT of people listen to
his radio show. Our styles of tackling the issues may differ
radically but I think we might be more alike than different. Maybe
it's because we are both so passionate about this Mod thing we have
been involved in for such a long time.
The thing is, I get him. I know why he
does what he does. I'm able to read between the lines and go past the
surface. We actually share a lot of the same core principles.
- The Mod movement is now an
international phenomena. You don't have to be British to be a Mod.
- Everyone has it's own vision of
what Mod is. Let's stop being so critical of each other and embrace
our differences. Through this blog, I've always tried to inspire
people instead of preaching to them.
- The Mod movement has always had
its roots in youth culture. Us aging Mods should welcome the next
generation with open arms instead of thumbing our noses at them. We
should be accepting of them breathing new life into the movement.
- Style over fashion. If there's one
thing I've been desperately trying to do in the last 3 years with
this blog is to show people that you should forge your own style and
stop being a slave to the so called Mod labels. That doesn't
mean you shouldn't wear a Fred Perry or a Ben Sherman. Just don't
feel like you have too. Be creative, be bold and don't be afraid to
push the envelope.
- Mods should be held to a higher
standard. When it comes down to the clothes we wear, the music we
listen to, our mode of transportation or the way we decorate our
flats, we should always look for the best of what we can afford.
Being a Mod shouldn't be easy.
- Being a Mod is a 24 hours a day, 7
days a week commitment. You are a Mod or you're not. There's no such
thing as a part-time Mod. This does not mean you shouldn't be open
to other styles of music. Plus, you're not required to cook, play
tennis or garden in a 3-button suit and you don't have to sleep in
Union Jack bed sheets every night.
- Stop hiding behind a computer
screen and get involved in your local Mod scene. Go to a concert,
invade a dance floor, organize a scooter ride, be seen, be proud!
We have another thing in common. We
have the courage (or we're simply idiots , depending on who you ask)
to speak out and put our ideas out there. Right or wrong, at least we
try. Like my compadre, I like being pro-active instead of being on
the sidelines complaining. I've failed more times then I've succeeded
but you have to give us credit for attempting to do things, even if it
ruffles a few feathers along the way. This is the essence of what
“keeping the faith” means.
Now, this doesn't mean I subscribe to
everything Mr Peace says. In fact, I strongly disagree with some of
his views. But they're mainly secondary issues and they don't deter
from the fact that I respect the man and really enjoy his show. Take
these following points as examples.
- We don't see eye to eye on one
fundamental aspect. I don't share his basic definition of what
Modernism is. In my view, Modernism, when it relates to Mod culture,
doesn't directly refer to Modern / New / Now. Historically,
Modernists were fans of Modern Jazz. They wanted to separate
themselves form the Traditional Jazz enthusiast. Of course, Modern
Jazz was the hip new thing but I don't think we should take it as
literally as the name suggest. What has always superseded the
“modern” aspect of the movement is the search for cool. For me,
cool is what came out of the 60s. Today, what seems to be trendy is
60s inspired or came from the classic mid-century “modern” look.
Yes, this blog is called “Parka Avenue – Living as a Mod in 21st
Century” but you won't see me ridding a 2013 Vespa anytime soon.
- Along the same lines, as a DJ,
vinyl is my preferred medium of choice. Warren, on the other hand,
embraces the era of the MP3. You'll probably never see me DJ using
my iPod, CDs or my computer. I won't rehash the old argument of the
sound quality of records over the digital format. That's been done.
Quite frankly, sometimes when using a poor sound system, you're
better off with MP3s, even if the music has been compressed to
death. My point is, if you're a Soul or Mod DJ and you use anything
but 45s, you won't be taken seriously by your peers. It might be
fine for your local pub but you'll never be invited to an
international event.
Being a DJ on the Mod scene, like any
other aspect of Mod, you have to be totally dedicated. You have to
put as much effort into finding great records as you would buying
your clothes or finding a vintage scooter. The Ace Face is the one
that rides the Vespa GS, wears the bespoke mohair suit and has the
best records. He's not the one that goes for the cheap suit from
Merc, rides a twist & go and downloads his music from the
Internet. The problem is, nowadays, every kid off the street calls
himself a DJ. Give him an Internet connection and there you go!
Poof! I'm a Mod DJ! There's more to it then that. Collecting
original 45s takes time, effort, patience, a good ear and above all,
passion.
You can't build a good record
collection over night. It just doesn't happen. It's an endless
pursuit to find the 7” masterpiece that nobody has ever heard of
and will make a dance floor go wild. It's also rediscovering a lost
classic that has been forgotten to the hands of time. It's not
uncommon that I'll play stuff that hasn't been on a compilation or
can't be found on YouTube. How else would you know about this group
from a small city like Reading, Pennsylvania if it wasn't for that
small piece of plastic you hold in your hands?
So vinyl trumps MP3s, unless you're
jogging, in your car or walking the dog. Warren often makes the
argument that he can carry 10 000 songs on his iPhone. So why would
you go to all the trouble of carrying boxes of records? For the same reason
I would't ride a plastic Japanese scooter. It's not all about
convenience. Yes, I could technically wear a tank top to a Northern
Soul allnighter like those Soul Boys and avoid dying from heat
exhaustion. No, I wear my bespoke suit proudly and make sure that
I'm dancing directly under a fan.
Now this doesn't mean that I won't
listen to any new band. They don't need to have released their album
on vinyl for me to enjoy them. One thing is certain, if they're in
town, you can bet I'll go see them live.
- Finally, Warren thinks that
watches are obsolete. What? When I heard him say that on the Punks in Parkas radio show, I gasped. Not part of the Modern Age?
According to my friend Warren, everybody owns a cell and has no need
for a timepiece. To a watch fanatic like me, this is an outrage! For
one, believe it or not, I don't own a cell.
I think he has simply missed the point
on that one. A watch is not just a functional tool, it's one of the
only acceptable pieces of jewellery a man can wear proudly. To many
it's a status symbol. To others, it's considered a piece of art. The
same goes for the ticket pocket on a suit jacket. When was the last
time you actually put a ticket in there? It doesn't really serve a
purpose but it sure looks good. The same goes for tie pins, cufflinks
or a chrome NOS Vigano bumper on your Lambretta SX200. They're
accessories, nothing else. When I think of the “attention to
detail” credo, this is what I have in mind.
Oh... Wait just a second. I get it. Man
he's good! I actually fell for his antics. He got me all riled up over a
stupid watch! A watch of all things! That was masterfully played sir!
Bravo! I bow down to the master. But now, you've been exposed! Right
here on Parka Avenue! This is all part of your masterful plan to get
us fired up about all things Mod. I see it now. *standing
ovation*
Aside from of couple of appearances on
his radio show, Warren and I have been exchanging emails and a few
pleasantries on Facebook for a while now. I was honoured when I got
the official title of We Are The Mods Musical Consultant a few months
ago. As he puts it, it's his way of acknowledging the fact that he
steals music from my blog or my Mixcloud podcast.
So we thought it would be a good idea
to finally meet in person. At first, I suggested meeting up in New
York since I was approached about doing a DJ gig in the Big Apple.
Unfortunately that fell through. So I invited him to my hometown of
Montreal and he gracefully accepted.
We all know that behind every great man
is a great woman. In this case it couldn't be more true. Our very own
Canadian sweetheart, DJ Penny Lane was going to fly in from Winnipeg
to join us. I was finally going to meet two Mod radio heavy hitters,
right here on my home turf. I had a whole list of activities and surprises
planed and I was ready to roll out the red carpet for my two VIP
guests.
 |
| DJ Penny Lane and I, admiring the Montreal skyline |
I had no worries about meeting Penny.
Everybody knows she's a darling. Warren, on the other hand, I had
different expectations. I was looking forward to meeting the man, not
the personality behind the microphone. We all know that first
impressions are key and I had a feeling that the first 10 seconds
were going to determine the tone of the weekend to come.
I was waiting, all suited up of course,
in the lobby of the St-Paul boutique hotel in Old Montreal for them
to walk out of the elevator. (Wow, they really chose one of the best
looking hotels in the city. I can already confirm that they travel in
style and have great taste!)
What was the first 10 seconds like? A
strong hug, huge smiles and thundering laughter. What was the first
words that came out of Warren's month? “I'm finally meeting the
legend!” Damn you Warren! You stole my line!
I could tell right away, this was going
to be a memorable weekend...
 |
| Warren Peace posing with my wife Nikki |
Don't miss part 2! You'll get all the
behind the scenes banter, the gossip and the chit-chat. And I promise
a shocking revelation about the one and only DJ Warren Peace that
will make your jaw drop!
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