Blu Peter
Blu Peter
25-02-14
After their last smash party with Miss Lina Bradford, Pecker is back! And they've coaxed '90s legend Blu Peter(!!!) out east for an old-school laser basemet DJ set! He'll be joined by Dirtbox duo the Duchess Of Pork and Gibson whilst upstairs John Sizzle and A Man To Pet aka Grizzle bring their unique blend of cabaret, insults and banging music to the top deck disco. Ahead of the party the residents posed a few questions to their special guest and of course all the sensible questions come from Gibson whereas the more... questionable... questions stem from Grizzle...
Gibson: You had some pretty legendary residencies in club history at both Heaven and Turnmills. What are your memories of those days?
Blu Peter: I think my memories are pretty cool. Imagine going to DJ at your favourite club. Unbelievable. And then to make a contribution to people's memories is such an honour. When I first started at FF (the really cool Sunday nighter) the DJ booth was not enclosed and completely open and sitting overlooking the legendary dance floor. John Newman the owner used to come and do the lights for my set. He really loved the music and the light show was spectacular.
Playing Heaven’s main floor was like flying a massive jet. Another place with amazing light shows. It was so good talking to so many different people about the thing you had in common... the music. It's this that drives you. I took my job seriously and my idea was and still is, to engage the whole and not the few, to take people on the journey and get to a safe and soft landing.
Sizzle: I lost a stillie at Trade in '93... can I have it back now please?
No. Thought I'd got away with that. Funny how the past catches up!!
Gibson: One of the first times I remember seeing you DJ was right in front of 50,000 people at a rave, what does that energy feel like?
It feels otherworldly. But you know what, smaller and more intimate places suits me best. I like to see people's faces and expressions. Get a connection with individuals and make it personal.
A Man To Pet: What is your favourite bird is it a BluTit or a Pea Cock?
A BluTit definitely!
Gibson: You were one of the first DJs to start using the Pioneer CDJ's to mix with instead of Technics turntables. Would you say technology has revolutionised the way we mix now and did it start with that first CDJ?
CDs did open the door to change but at the end of the day, a CD is just a small record! What has made a real difference is the software solutions, which allow a DJ to be more creative in so many ways. It really is great. However, I will be mixing vinyl and CDs myself. Not sure if I'll bring the laptop this time. Vinyl sounds great. You still can't beat the sound of a needle on a record.
Gibson: How does all the new computer software/hardware options today compare to the old turntable days?
It's just different. You can either use a program to do what you would do on decks or... you can get full on creative and make a whole new soundscape in a completely unique way.
Gibson: Digital or Vinyl?
Vinyl for sound and MP3 for doing something new. CDs for emergency!
Pet: There is a rumour that Hannah Holland is the lovechild of you and Mrs Wood. Is this true?
Come on! Really? Of course she is! Beauty brains and twice in rehab… it's a no brainer!! Seriously though, she's not, sadly. I can see how you thought that... I could adopt her though?
Gibson: You are also famed for pioneering the Nu-NRG sound in the '90s, how has your music taste evolved and what/who are you interested in today?
It has evolved. Even the music of Melt back in 97/8 was different to FF, which preceded it. The music I played in 2001 was again different. Always changing to where I am now. But at Pecker it will be an old school vibe and I'm loving what I've selected so far!
Sizzle: Pet and I have incredibly unique singing voices... fancy producing an album of ballads for us?
(This I'd like to hear) Yeah, sure.
Gibson: You were signed to the amazing REACT records and remixed countless artists, what project has been your favourite and why?
The Reactivate series was great and contributing to that was such an honour. Elevator was a project that ended too soon. It should've kept going but there were some negative influences at the time. It would've been massive otherwise. Pictures In Your Mind was good. I may revisit that this year...
Sizzle: You want to buy some pills? They're pucker mate...
I’ve heard that one before!!
Join Blu Peter at Pecker next Friday 7th March at Dalston Superstore from 9pm - 3am.
Blu Peter