Playlist for July 25th

Popular wisdom tells us we are in the middle of a recession. The pub trade is losing fifty two licensed premises a week to the credit crunch. There is little sign of this in The Smugglers each week. Even with the stiff competition of a large wedding taking place at The Centre and a disco event in The Granary the Smugglers continued to be packed this week-end.
The only down side remains the fact that the rival 'Arms' has a late licence until 2am and operates a curfew which means that many of the younger punters up sticks and head off there between nidnight and quarter past thus taking away a lot of the atmosphere I have spent three hours building up.


As a dj this leads to the evening having a peak around 2345 rather than an hour later and can make the last 45 minutes a bit disquieting. For the last half hour I tend to have a look at the remaining stalwarts and try to play some tunes to suit. If it is too quiet I just play some popular sing a long stuff. When I can get away with it I'll try to hear some songs that I want to check out through the sound system. So last night I had a listen to Friendly Fires 'Jump in the Pool'.
I know some djs who have a no request after midnight policy. At times I wish I did the same. It must be another quaint side effect of alcohol that dictates that someone who has been in the bar for three hours quite content will rush up to the booth exactly fifteen minutes before the end a ask for a style of music that is completely the opposite of what is being played. With the bar being quiet and generally being an accommodating person I try my best but this means the smooth logical musical journey to the close of the night is suddenly ripped apart by Bon Jovi!
Next, emboldened by the first punter, another three folk come up and ask for another three requests all in different styles. I usually just put them on one after another which often leaves the night ending on a disparate mish mash redeemed only by a closing tune of my choice.


Last night also blew in one of the noted '10 things not to say to a dj'. Usual young girl, usual request for some pop trivia or rnb lite toon from the charts(in this case Beyonce and the dire Pussycat Dolls new one) with the plea that could I play it now as they were just about to be leaving. The dj's job is to keep people IN the bar spending money. If you are going then I'll play the songs for those that are staying in the hope they have better taste all round.

Anyway tracklisting from last night.

1 One Step To Cuba - Faithless
2 The Dock Of The Bay --Lisa Ono
3 Jacqueline - The Coral
4 Early Morning Rain - Paul Weller
5 Your Love Gets Sweeter - Finlay Quaye
6 Video - India Arie
7 Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)- Beyonce*
8 Hush Hush -Pussycat Dolls*
9 Ride Wit Me - Nelly
10 Ldn - Lily Allen
11 5 Years Time -Noah & The Whale
12 Oh La - The Kooks
13 Love Me Like You Do - The Magic Numbers
14 Boys Of Summer - Don Henley
15 Losing Touch -The Killers
16 Fire - Kasabian
17 Under My Thumb - The Rolling Stones
18 Mercy - The Third Degree
19 I Got A Feeling (Diinch Mix) - Black Eyed Peas
20 The Key The Secret -Urban Cookie Collective
21 Needin' U - David Morales Pres The Face -
22 Dreamer (Bodybangers Remix) - Niels Van Gogh
23 Paparazzi (Moto Blanco Club Mix) - Lady Gaga*
24 Ready For The Week-End ( Dj Kose Remix) -Calvin Harris
25 Everyman - Double Exposure
26 Don't Walk Away (Shave Remix) - Jenny Jones
27 Raindrops - Basement Jaxx
28 Boom Boom Pow - Black Eyed Peas*
29 La_La_Song_(Club_Mix) - Bob_Sinclar
30 I Know You Want Me - Pitbull
31 Flashback - Wolfgang Gartner
32 Evacuate The Dancefloor - Cascada *
33 Holiday (Feat. Chrome) -- Dizzee Rascal
34 Too Much Too Young - Special AKA
35 Not Fair - Lily Allen
36 Don't Upset The Rhythm - Noisettes
37 Great DJ - The Ting Tings
38 My Delerium - Ladyhawke
39 Call Me - Blondie
40 Right Round - Flo Rida *
41 Just Can't Get Enough - Depeche Mode
42 Bulletproof - La Roux
43 I'm Not Alone (Radio Edit)- Calvin Harris
44 Madagascar (Richard Durand Remix)- Art Of Trance
45 This Is Our Night (Shepard Mix) - Sander Kleinenberg

46 When Love Takes Over -David Guetta
47 Warriors's Dance - The Prodigy *
48 Mas Que Nada - Tamba Trio
49 Jai Ho - The Pussycat Dolls*
50 Poker Face -Lady Gaga
51 Naked In The Rain -Blue Pearl
52 Milkshake - Kellis
53 Shine - Take That*
54 Stuck In The Middle With You - Stealer's Wheel
55 Satisfaction -Rolling Stones
56 Spaceman -The Killers
57 Jump In The Pool - Friendly Fires
58 Time To Pretend - MGMT
59 Girls & Boys - Blur
60 Step It Up - Stereo Mcs
61 Sticks 'N' Stones - Jamie T *
62 Listen To The Music - The Doobie Brothers*
63 Reelin In The Years - Steely Dan
64 Twisting By Pool - Dire Straits


What I also learned last night is that the good folk of Stewarton have not yet caught up with Dizee Rascall's new one and that La Roux has based her Bulletproof on an old Depeche Mode song.
My fave toon was 'Flashback' by Wolfgang Gartner followed by Sander Kleinberg's 'This is our night'.

Till next time.

When we were fab, part 2.

Joanne knows about my minor obsession with music, so in conversation thought it would chide the chat along if she mentioned that she was going to see Simple Minds. This Year. At Edinburgh Castle no less.
So a casual comment results in a fifteen minute rant about how The Minds used to be such a good band before fame, wealth and the invention of eighties stadium rock. The rant then taken to a Glastonbury sized level by its enhancement to include the notion that the whole population of Christendom can be split into those that discovered The Simple Minds of 'Alive and Kicking' and those who actually enjoy music.





Poor girl, thank god she's not also going to see REM.






And as for all those folk who paid £90 to see The Eagles, or what passes for them these days.

Get on the good foot

Been busy out at the dncing over the last fortnight.

First off, a trip to the Merchant City for a club night called Spit fire which is held in the basement of Blackfriars Bar. Its on monthly and we try and visit fairly regularly. Big surprise this time as the venue, in these financially strained times, had invested in some flashing lights and a smoke machine. I was in my element as there is nothing better when djing than having a great light show and some smoke to set it all off. Nowadays due to fire alarms being so so touchy feely most venues won't allow you to use a smoke machine- shame. Lights and smoke do help to make a great atmosphere and , again as a dj you can use the smoke to hide the fact that no-one is dancing!
Anyway, I did some dancing on Friday. But I can't remember now what to.

Next night, more indierock at Little League which is held in Queen's Park Bowling Club. John has been running this night and the now deceased Pop League for many a year and always puts together a well thought out set. It will always include, The Smiths, Go-Betweens, Belle and Sebastian, Orange Juice, Love and a scintillating assortment of 60's girl groups.

No lights but there was a large mirror ball to further the quaint anachronistic feel.It is the same folk who attend regularly which enhances the old school vibe. We dragged Pauline and Dave along with us.


Where's Wally ?? - Can you spot me in this picture??


This week-end we headed up to The Admiral Bar to give Pretty Ugly a try. More indie but mixed with a little smidgeon more pop. A nice night and we'll probably return.





Songs jived to over the evenings included : Kids - MGMT, Felicity - Orange Juice, Under my Thumb - Stones, Blister in the Sun - Violent Femmes. Blinded by the Lights - The Streets, In for the Kill - La Roux, Paper Planes - MIA, Voodoo Ray - Guy called Gerald and Made of Stone - Stone Roses.

Songs sullenly avoided : Jackson 5, Bananarama, Madonna.

At the start of this month we also jigged along to a night called 'ibop' held on the southside - but it was rubbish! and my dancing shoes remained unsullied.

Next Date : Saturday 25th July

Smugglers 2100-0100

Tracks from Saturday 4th July

I Need You (Joey Negro's Frisky Disco Mix)- Nikita Warren
Let The Sun Shine - Milk & Sugar
Get Down Tonight (Soulmakers Remix- Supafly Inc
76 Ocean Drive (Apache Vocal Mix)- Nicola Fasano
Ultra Flava (Mark Trophy Remix) -Heller & Farley Project
Personal Jesus (Michael Mind Mix) -Depeche Mode
Love Game (Jody Den Broeder Club Rmx) - Lady Gaga
Love Is Gone (The House Moguls Remix) -- David Guetta

Don't Upset The Rhythm - Noisettes
That's Not My Name - The Ting Tings
Bulletproof - La Roux
Don't You Want Me - The Human League
New In Town (Fred Falke Vocal) - Little Boots
Romeo - Basement Jaxx
Mr Blue Sky - Lily Allen
Dancing In The Moonlight- Toploader
Laid - James
Spaceman - The Killers
Who Needs Love? - Razorlight
In The Morning - The Coral
Take It Easy - The Eagles
Just Can't Get Enough - Wallis Bird
Mercy - The Third Degree
Stone Cold Sober (Radio Edit) -Paloma Faith
"Love Sex Magic Rise" -Ciara Vs Samanta James
Trippin ( T Gold Remix) - Platinum
Sexyback - Justin Timberlake *
Bonkers - Dizzee Rascal
Hooligans - Don Diablo & Example
Controversy (Fresh Rmx) - Prince
This Is Our Night (Shepard Mix) - Sander Kleinenberg

I'm Not Alone (Radio Edit)- Calvin Harris
Temple Of Dreams Club Mix- Future Dreams
Evacuate The Dancefloor (Wideboys Rmx) -Cascada
Poker Face (Dave Audé Radio Edit)- Lady Gaga
Raindrops (Kindervater Edit) -Sash *
Love Is Gone (The House Moguls Remix)- David Guetta
Superstition - Stevie Wonder
Knock You Down - Keri Hilson
Tiny Dancer - Ironik
Never Gonna Let You Go - Tina Moore
La_La_Song_(Club_Mix) - Bob_Sinclar
Funky Cold Medina - Tone-Loc
Mama Do (Uh Oh, Uh Oh) - Pixie Lott
Head, Shoulders, Knees & Toes (Mega Freestyle) -K.I.G Family *
Dreamer 2009 (Main Vocal Mix) -Living Joy
You Don't Know Me - Armand Van Helden*
Paparazzi (Moto Blanco Club Mix)Lady Gaga
Dusk Til Dawn (Remix) - D Howells & D Trevor
Release Me (Cahill Club Mix) -Agnes
Silence (Lissat And Voltaxx Remix)-Delerium ft Sarah Mclachlan
When Love Takes Over - David Guetta*
Not Fair - Lily Allen
Take Me Back To Your House- Basement Jaxx
Billie Jean - Michael Jackson
Groovejet - Sophie Ellis Bextor
Paparazzi (Moto Blanco Club Mix) - Lady Gaga *
Lola's Theme (Made In Italy Mix) - Shapeshifters

* Request

What's that Song?

As you can see I tend to mix it up a bit when djing, moving through various genres depending on who is in the bar.
Last week it started off with some reggae because it was sunny and then into some classic rock , as the bar was filled with males and some in their forties, followed by some up to date indie, for the younger crew. Also I couldn't but help going into The Doors straight after Kasabian's new tune as it was such a good match.
When the girls arrived I softened it up and went into some dance tunes.

Anyway, I don't get that many requests and even less often does someone come up and ask what the song I am playing is called.
But in the last fortnight different folk have come up and asked that very question and both about the same record!
The music in question is a mash-up of Lady Gaga's Just Dance, which everyone knows, and the mystery tune underneath is 'Beachball' by Nalin and Kane.


This was originally out in'97 as an instrumental from the German producers. It was fairly popular so vocals were added to maximise its cross over appeal. Since then it has cropped up quite remarkably often on trance compilations over the years. Dave Pearce included it on his collection in 2008.
I still have the original cd single from 1997 but the version I play os off Kiss in Ibiza 1997 compilation. You can buy this for I assume £2 in any second hand record shop. Well worth it too as side 2 is still a good listen, especially the last few tracks. Good barbecue music in this hot summer.

Pixies coming to Glasgow

There aren't many old skool bands still on my wish list of gigs to attend. I thought briefly about both Neil Young and Springsteen but the price, Neil's reputation and The Boss being passed his best live meant I gave them both a miss. Assuming I could have got tickets in the first place. Also Springsteen was an outdoor gig at Hampden, in Glasgow, in July! Noah would be busy.



Pixies are different though. When they returned to the live scene a few years back they seemed to only play the big festivals. I assume because it meant they got big bucks for not having to spend that long together.
Anyway, just announced, the band are touring in October, playing indoor venues and dusting off the songsheets for Doolitle. And they are coming to Glasgow.
SECC, not ideal but better than a field in Kinross.


Tickets on sale first thing Friday morning. I feel like being 17 again and the rush of trying ot get tickets for The Stones and The Who. Back in 1975 I felt it was my last chance to see such legendary bands!!
Wish me luck on Friday when I'll be hunched over the laptop with sweaty palms trying to get these damn tickets.
If I fail you can all join my 'Let's kill a ticket tout for Jesus' campaign.