Keb Darge

DJ — Scotland

01Profile

A Keb Darge Photo

03Interview

Name?
Keb Darge

Describe your style in three words?
Vintage Underground Dance.

What’s the best all-nighter you were ever a part of?
Wigan Casino has never been matched for atmosphere. So many bloody great tunes played there for the first time too. I exploded in my pants when Ginger Taylor first played 'Keeps On Burning' by Burning Bush.

If you could put on three bands/artists on a lineup?
The Maggots - All their records are full of energy and fun.
The Sirocco Bros - They have their own dark style which blends the best elements of fifties blues with a deep hillbilly/rockabilly feel that I f’kin love.
Charlie Hightone & The Rock-It's - As wild as they come. Great on record, and better on stage. They could get even the dullest of crowds going.

Which subcultures have influenced you?
I have been heavily involved in the northern soul, deep funk, rockabilly, and sixties garage scenes. They are all tremendous at turning up otherwise ignored tunes. Some of the clothes are nice too. However, I am not a man that sticks to the rule books of scenes as I find they tend to be too restrictive.

If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
Adam Smith. I’ll bet he never realised the effect his book would have on shaping the modern world. I would enjoy telling him of everything he inspired, and him telling me how we buggered up on certain points. Plus he was Scottish and used to like a drink, so that would be fun.

Of all the independent venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
Madame Jo Jo’s cause it was mine. I had total control every Friday for 18 years, and every Saturday for 10 years. It looked great, sounded great, and was always packed with mainly non-scene people enjoying music that you would normally only hear at the most serious scene events.

Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
Gabe Roth has written, arranged, produced and played on so many great tunes. He was the real driving force behind the Amy Winehouse sound, but due to contractual fiddlings, some other chap gets the glory. He took Daptone Records from a bedroom idea to the bands playing the most iconic venues on the planet. '100 Days, 100 Nights' by Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings was one of his best.

04Playlist Notes

The first track you played on repeat?
'Nobody But Me' by The Human Beinz.

A song that defines the teenage you?
'Just Say You’re Wanted' by Gwen Owens.

One record you would keep forever?
'Can It Be' by The Savoys.

A song lyric that has inspired you?
Nah... don’t get inspired by lyrics I just enjoy them.

A song you wished you had written?
'White Christmas' (for the money)!

Best song to turn up loud?
'Margaya' by Fender Four.

A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
'At Last' by Glen Miller.

The song that would get you straight on the dance floor?
'Blue Jeans And A Boy’s Shirt' by Glen Glenn.

Best song to end an all-nighter?
Northern all-nighter... 'I’ll Keep Holding On' by Lee McKinney. Rockabilly all-nighter... 'Midnight Dreams' by Tommy Bell. Garage all-nighter... 'I Never Loved Her' by The Starfires.

Any new bands you are into at the moment?
I am into loads of new bands, but they all play in a vintage style. Mostly garage and rockabilly, since Sharon Jones died I lost interest in the new soul/funk bands.

A few favourites would be The Sergeants Mess, Jon and the Vons, The Desperados, Hi-Strung Ramblers, The Freaks Of Nature, Ronnie Hayward, The Sirocco Bros and The Black Delta Movement (who played at my recent club night at The Strongroom).

03Interview

Name?
Keb Darge

Describe your style in three words?
Vintage Underground Dance.

What’s the best all-nighter you were ever a part of?
Wigan Casino has never been matched for atmosphere. So many bloody great tunes played there for the first time too. I exploded in my pants when Ginger Taylor first played 'Keeps On Burning' by Burning Bush.

If you could put on three bands/artists on a lineup?
The Maggots - All their records are full of energy and fun.
The Sirocco Bros - They have their own dark style which blends the best elements of fifties blues with a deep hillbilly/rockabilly feel that I f’kin love.
Charlie Hightone & The Rock-It's - As wild as they come. Great on record, and better on stage. They could get even the dullest of crowds going.

Which subcultures have influenced you?
I have been heavily involved in the northern soul, deep funk, rockabilly, and sixties garage scenes. They are all tremendous at turning up otherwise ignored tunes. Some of the clothes are nice too. However, I am not a man that sticks to the rule books of scenes as I find they tend to be too restrictive.

If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
Adam Smith. I’ll bet he never realised the effect his book would have on shaping the modern world. I would enjoy telling him of everything he inspired, and him telling me how we buggered up on certain points. Plus he was Scottish and used to like a drink, so that would be fun.

Of all the independent venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
Madame Jo Jo’s cause it was mine. I had total control every Friday for 18 years, and every Saturday for 10 years. It looked great, sounded great, and was always packed with mainly non-scene people enjoying music that you would normally only hear at the most serious scene events.

Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
Gabe Roth has written, arranged, produced and played on so many great tunes. He was the real driving force behind the Amy Winehouse sound, but due to contractual fiddlings, some other chap gets the glory. He took Daptone Records from a bedroom idea to the bands playing the most iconic venues on the planet. '100 Days, 100 Nights' by Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings was one of his best.

04Playlist Notes

The first track you played on repeat?
'Nobody But Me' by The Human Beinz.

A song that defines the teenage you?
'Just Say You’re Wanted' by Gwen Owens.

One record you would keep forever?
'Can It Be' by The Savoys.

A song lyric that has inspired you?
Nah... don’t get inspired by lyrics I just enjoy them.

A song you wished you had written?
'White Christmas' (for the money)!

Best song to turn up loud?
'Margaya' by Fender Four.

A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
'At Last' by Glen Miller.

The song that would get you straight on the dance floor?
'Blue Jeans And A Boy’s Shirt' by Glen Glenn.

Best song to end an all-nighter?
Northern all-nighter... 'I’ll Keep Holding On' by Lee McKinney. Rockabilly all-nighter... 'Midnight Dreams' by Tommy Bell. Garage all-nighter... 'I Never Loved Her' by The Starfires.

Any new bands you are into at the moment?
I am into loads of new bands, but they all play in a vintage style. Mostly garage and rockabilly, since Sharon Jones died I lost interest in the new soul/funk bands.

A few favourites would be The Sergeants Mess, Jon and the Vons, The Desperados, Hi-Strung Ramblers, The Freaks Of Nature, Ronnie Hayward, The Sirocco Bros and The Black Delta Movement (who played at my recent club night at The Strongroom).

 

05Videos

Keb Darge DJing in Australia