The ‘soundtrack’ to a wasted life, – and one way or another, – a life spent wasted, – mostly.

In the mid-80’s I was very much into mixing, as were a few of my friends, some of them, not me, also became members of the DMC, Disco Mix Club, so we would regularly attend the yearly, World DJ mixing Championships throughout the 80’s. I bought the obligatory 2x Technics 1210 MkII turntables and a Numark DM1700T very early on, with my first pay packets, still have the receipts, and still have one Technics 1210 mkII, although the original pair were sold many years ago. I had around 2,000 records at one point, but now, probably no more than around 350+, although I do still buy the occasional piece of vinyl. Many people/friends/associates in the local area who were interested in mixing at the time, – [usually an ego driven interest btw, you know, to impress others.., huh, the male-ego.., something I never really developed] – got their first taste of ‘cueing up’ and ‘beat matching’ in the front box-room of my parents family home, some went on to own their own record labels, I even did an ‘opening set’ for a friend’s younger brother, at his first performance/venue, who went on to tour the world DJ’ing, – [god I hate that term, and also the word ‘Rave’]. – Me doing a ‘set’ was a rare occurrence, especially regarding my lack of confidence, – which I was always quite open about, even back then. Personally, I was just much more interested in the culture and the music, but not performing.., although I was considered very good at mixing at the time, better than most apparently, – [probably the autism] – but I wasn’t seeking validation.., besides, I’d rather be out on the floor if I was in a club, buzzing, rushing and rocking out, you know.., ‘letting go’. – I had plenty of imported Electro, Hip-Hop and vintage Funk from the US – [courtesy of Groove Records and Hitman Records both located in Soho] – along with, UK Punk and Post-Punk, 70’s Dub, 60’s Funk, early Electronica, etc, [often sourced from record dealers such as Reckless Records, Sister Ray, Selectadisc, etc, – also ALL located around Soho] – and once the whole London Acid/Breakbeat scene came along, me and my ‘associates’ were right there, ready to jump straight onto ‘that’ train.

Regular haunts were, — The Wag Club – Wardour Street, The Dungeons – Lea Bridge Road, Labyrinth 2000AD – Dalston Lane, The Nuthouse – Crowland Road, and Telepathy – Marshgate Lane.

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Like many others who ultimately become obsessed with music/the texture of sound, etc.., it was mixing, my eclectic record collection.., and drugs, that soon compelled me, in my late teens, to become absolutely fascinated with audio production, audio engineering, etc, regarding all aspects of Electronica production, – but only ever as a hobby, a very expensive hobby, but just right for someone with my brand of autism.

[added/updated – 2024/25]