An edited version of my interview with DJ Gilly first published in the December 2010 issue of Colchester 101 Magazine.
Colchester 101 columnist Gilly and I talk about old times, the places we used to go, and the people we both know.
Gilly is somewhat of a legend in this town of ours so,
somewhere amongst all the reminiscing, I endeavour to learn a little more about
his DJing career which has spanned almost three decades since he started out at
the former Boadicea pub on Headgate (now the Fox and Fiddler) with former DJ partner
Choc in 1982. Back then he was playing a heady mix of jazz funk, soul, new
romantic and techno with the occasional Ramones or Sex Pistols track thrown in
for good measure. “Nobody told us what to play,” says Gilly,” so we played what
we wanted”.
Talking to Gilly it becomes clear that his fondest memories
are of his ʻRare Groove Sceneʼ stint during the mid 80ʼs at The Venue, now
Curve Bar, on East Hill. “People would be eating Mexican food downstairs and
Iʼd be playing ambient tunes in the background, then at 11pm weʼd go upstairs
and get the party started.”
Gilly recalls Tony and Sian, the owners, being great people
to work for, and The Venue being the place to be at the time, making it an
amazing place, the DJ says. “Everyone who was anyone in Colchester would be there
and we had some great nights. They were very happy times.”
Gilly went on to enjoy an incredible eleven year
residency at Twisters Bar on North Hill, having arrived there via the nearby
Times Bar (now the Noodle Bar). This was a period when a whole new generation fell
in love with his eclectic mixes. “I brought music to Twisters and had a great
time over the years, but eventually the time came to move on to something new,” he
explains.
That ʻsomething newʼ was a three nights a week residency at
Robertoʼs on Crouch Street, however Gilly has since moved on again and enjoys DJing at numerous venues in Colchester and beyond, as well as spinning the decks at last year's Colchester Free Festival.
It becomes clearer as we talk where Gillyʼs deepest musical taste lies.
“I love all kinds of music, in the past Iʼve been a punk, a MOD, a new
romantic, I even listen to some classical music”.
But when asked to narrow it down to a genre or two the
answer comes quickly - “Jazz funk and soul”.
It was back in the ʼ80s at the Embassy Suite on Balkerne
Hill, now a Chinese restaurant, that Gilly spent many a Sunday at their jazz
funk and soul nights. “I didnʼt DJ there often, mostly I was a punter like
everyone else”.
We reflect again about times past. There are so many more
bars and clubs to choose from in Colchester on a Friday or Saturday night these
days. Gone are the times when we would have to venture out to Guines Court in Tolleshunt
DʼArcy, or the Tartan House in Frating, to hear some good tunes.
We both agree though that with more choice comes a shift in
culture. “People were more into the music back then but now drinking has become
a bigger factor.
“Music will always be here but now you have all the X Factor
and all the wannabe television shows... music and fashion was rawer and it was
a pleasure to go out looking different, being a punk, a mod, a new romantic...”
To Gilly it will always be about the music.
I run Media48, a Colchester based graphic and website design and marketing agency where we know a thing or two about how to market a business. If you would like to find out more about what we can do for your business then give us a call on 01206 642245 or email me simon@media48.co.uk
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