Our first full-time DJ? Gregarious Tawdry Cline is up to bat this this Monday, he who holds it down week in, week out at the Fez as DJ Gregarious. How did he come to make his home at the venue? Read about the drama that inspired the move below, along with his precise breakdown of his ideal audience by percentage and a really interesting and personalized viewpoint on that tricky little subject of vinyl versus digital.

How did you decide on your DJ name?
I had the inverse problem most DJs have in coming up with a name. The Gregarious part was easy because that’s my real name, but the prefix was important to me because I needed to make it clear that I wasn’t part of the Illbient/turntablism movement that was coming into prominence back in the mid 90’s. I think of myself as a proponent of a 60’s/70’s aesthetic so I chose “Disc Jockey” to convey that (and once I realized that I could call myself Dick-Jock-Itch Grey-Harry-Ass, I knew it was meant to be).

As the Rapture say, “People don’t dance no more, they just stand there like this” – how often do you encounter this?
Portland is the most unique dance city in the country. In other cities, people go to dance and they stay on the dance floor all night. Here people are more likely dance to songs they like in spite of its beat… Much more emotive which suits my style fine as I more rock out than actually dance.

Ideal crowd?
25% Punk-Rock New-Wavers, 25% Gay and Lesbian, 15% Brit-poppers, 15% Goth, 10% hipster, 7% bachelorette nymphos, 2%
Prids, and 1% Elizabeth Mollo.

How do you feel about requests?
I loooooove them. Might be semantics, but I regard them more as “suggestions” because it’s impossible to play them all. It’s a great way to gauge the type of crowd you have.

Do you have a story about a particular request or requester?
There are so many classic archetypal incidents it’s hard to narrow it down, but one that will always stick in my mind was a private holiday party I did for Xerox years ago.

It took forever to find their d-spot, and after much trial and error, I finally got them on the dance floor. A woman came up to me and requested, “Close to You” by the Carpenters. I told her there was no way that I was going to play that song. She insisted, telling me she was the office manager and it was an office joke and that everyone would crack up and hoist me on their shoulders like a Norman. I liked the idea of making the night personal so I said “Okay.” I waited a couple of tracks and played it. The entire room stopped what they were doing and looked at me like, “WTF?” I then saw the office manager waddle away, turning back to look at me like, “Ha! Ha! Fuck you and fuck everyone.”
After that I realized that if you play a request, you better be willing to stand by it.

Do you DJ full time? What do you do outside of DJing?
Full time/I am in a 60’s freakbeat cover band, The Sugarlumps. Also, I am in the process of researching a play that I want to write and produce for the stage (a tragedy/musical influenced by Mishima and Joe Orton).

Where can we find you?
Every Friday @ The Fez Ballroom, Saturday in bed watching LOST & I Dream of Jeannie, and the Matador every 1st Sun of the month (as part of their Service Industry Nite, Barkeepers Friend).

How’d you get your current main gig?
Back in 2000, I was asked by Jimi Biron, talent buyer for the Crystal Ballroom, if I was interested in trying to establish a dance night for the newly opened Lola’s Room. I have a serious problem; I can’t say no to anything when it comes to DJing, so even though I was petrified at the prospect, I acquiesced.

After 3 years, I quit one night and I begged the Fez to take pity on me and adopt my night.
I love the Fez and everyone who works there; past, present, and future.

Why did you quit Lola’s that one night?
I had been butting heads with an insane manager who liked to make everyone as miserable as she was. I had been trying to resolve things with her for about 8 months or more. After she made some particularly absurd decisions two nights in a row, I had enough and I shut it down in the middle of my set. She has long since been fired and I have a great relationship with the amazing staff that now works there.

How long did it take before you were DJing at the Fez?
I quit in October 2003 and my debut night at the Fez was December 31st, New Year’s Eve, of all nights. So a little more than 2 months.

How long have you been spinning?
I think it’s been 14 years now… wow, when will I grow up?

What drew you to DJing originally?
I was working at a cafe when a customer, Rebecca, came in bummed out – Seems that DJ Mel had quit the club, The East Ave Tavern, where Rebecca worked and they were having trouble finding a replacement. Since I had a huge crush on Rebecca, I lied, telling her that I was a DJ and I would save the day by taking over the night. I met with the manager, the infamous Lisa Lepine, the next day and she hired me. I was freaked out because I didn’t have any equipment or an inkling on what to get or how to DJ. In high school I always collected records and made mix-tapes for parties, but I knew this was a lot different.

I went to a music store intent on buying the cheapest turntables made – if Playskool made tables, then that’s what I would have bought. Luckily, the very same DJ Mel happened to be in that store and over heard my plight and convinced me not to waste my money on CRAP and buy the most expensive and best turntables made at the time, the Technics 1200’s. I still have them both today and I have always wanted to thank her for that pivotal advice in my life.

Have you always lived in Portland? What keeps you here?
I grew up in the Bay Area, moved to L.A, where I was a member of Jellyfish for one week (got fired for refusing to wear the Dr. Suess hat), moved to Ashland and then finally here. I cannot think of any place in the world that would put up with my shenanigans so I will be here until I retire to Thailand or NYC.

What are your thoughts on vinyl vs CDS vs laptops?
I think that it’s up to the DJ to feel out the best way to express himself. I used records for a solid 10 years until a car accident and limited mobility steered me towards my digital path. If 300 people are dancing to a song I’m playing on my laptop they don’t care what the source is as long as I keep feeding them the fun.

If somebody moves me with their skills I don’t give a flying fudgesicle if they are farting through a megaphone over a beatbox or winding up a Victrola and scratching out Thomas Edison quotes. If I like it, I like it.

I think it’s asinine when you see a post by a DJ who says: “I play real records,” like it makes them legitimate. I’d like to see an artist advertising an exhibition by saying, “I’m real artist; I paint on cave walls with plant pigments.” Mediums will always morph, but true talent will always be evident, regardless.

What songs will we find ourselves dancing to with you?
Smiths – “There is a Light That Never Goes Out”
Cramps – “Let’s Get Fucked Up”
New Edition – “Cool It Now”
She Wants Revenge – “Tear You Apart”
Le Tigre – “Deceptacon”
any and all New Order

How would you describe yourself in five words or less – complete sentence or not.
Everyday Is Friday – especially Friday.

How do you describe the genre you play?
Loud Timeless Party Jukebox

Who are your other favorite Portland DJs?
(in alphabetical order they are:)
DJ Colin Sic
Dantronix
DJ Disorder
DJ Donny Don’t
DJ f
DJ FlightRisk
DJ Fur Purse
DJ Kathy T.
DJ Kenoy
King Fader
Kitty Diggins
Maxx Bass
DJ Macho Slut
Mark Knight and RoboDuck
DJ Maxamillion
DJ Mistina
DJ Moisti
DJ Mystic Lady
DJ Paula B
Reverend of Rock
DJ Rhienna
DJ SMUT
DJ Stormy
DJ Two Handed Manny
Vinyl Ritchie

When was the last time you purchased ice cream from an ice cream truck?
Quite a while ago, but the restraining order will be lifted on July 3rd, 2010.

Links:
Fez Ballroom

Related posts:

1. Hang the DJ: Roane Namuh A Rose Ci
2. Hang the DJ: DJ Futurehorse Guards, to
3. Hang the DJ: DJ Invisiboy On a stair
4. Hang the DJ: DJ Lifepartner Isn
5. Hang the DJ: DJ HWY 7 After a v

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.