Abbiamo invervistato per voi Little Carl, dj e promoter della scena Rockabilly inglese… Dopotutto non potevamo che farci raccontare tutto in vista dei due concerti dei Delta Bombers Londinesi da lui organizzati.
Could u describe your activity/passion in 3 words?
Hot Dang Dilly!
How this passion born and become a job?
I’ve always been a fan of the music, growing up at home and being fascinated with records at a young age, playing my dads 45’s and being around a Rock’n’Roll scene.
I witnessed the change from seeing the more teddy boy style to the american 50’s style clothes of the hepcats and rockabillies which I much prefferred. I’ve been going to clubs from as far back as I can remember (thanks to mum and dad) and watching the popular R’n’R DJ’s of the time like 50’s Flash and Wildcat Pete I knew early on I wanted to DJ.
I was 14 when I borrowed a handful of my dad’s records and played them out to people at a club for the first time – I was nervous as hell but somehow knew what to do as I’d been watching Flash’s and Pete’s every move for quite some time lol.
I since then I had dabbled with doing some of my own shows and co-run a few events as well as DJ’d other promoters nights. I was lucky to be in a position to be booked so organising my own events took a rest for a while – the organising takes up a lot of time. A couple of London’s regular promoters moved out of london or took a break so I found myself with an opportunity to start putting together shows again.
I wouldn’t like to call it a job, if it became that then the fun and enthusiasm would disappear. I have a day job so getting out and playing a some records makes it a lot more special for me.
How do you decide which will be your next event?
To be honest it varies. Sometimes I’ve known well in advance what I want and when and worked up to it for a year plus, other times it’s been a two week notice that an interesting artist/band might be planning a visit to the UK and looking to fill a date or maybe a last minute cancellation.
It can be anything else between these two scenarios with sometimes lots of deliberation and making the call to go ahead or not.
If I’m lucky it pays off.
You are a DJ, how u choose your set and do you have a song that you always play?
Probably – I try not to consciously play or repeat selections from one set to the next but of course there will be some but it’s not intentional – a great record always deserves to be spun! I usually take way too many records with me on the night and make my mind up then what gets played. That works easier for me here but when travelling abroad it becomes difficult to try and fit a couple of sets into a small box. I’m usually on the fly with my sets and I like to read a room and try to play some less obvious selections. It’s getting the balance right.
Could you tell me more about the event with the Delta Bombers and their opening act?
The Delta Bombers have been going about 10 years now. I hadn’t taken much notice when they first started but got to see them for the first time about 5 years ago when good friend Danny Dawkins promoted a show with them. I must say they have to be one of the most hard working bands on or off the scene – I say that because they’re not afraid to pull in different influences from outside as well as not solely targetting a “Rockin” audience.
I got to put a show on at Nambucca with them 3 years ago and am excited to have them back again. I like how they’ve grown up from being young fresh faced kids to what they are now and what they have achieved. Danny “O” & the Astrotones are the opening act and have been throughout most of the dates of this Delta Bombers UK tour.
Four young guys, two of them ex Caezars – who in my view are giving the scene a much overdue shake up. Completley unpredictable other than being loud and in your face R’n’R! I’ve heard them labelled as Psychobilly? They’re not but their sets consists of mostly own material and any covers they do are reworked in a very un-cheesy and good way- maybe that is why they’ve been given that tag? They are a refreshing change, a full on onslaught of Rock’n’Roll as it should be.. They have only been going about a year but have had three 45rpm releases and a full album on CD and LP. I couldn’t have thought of a better band to support the Delta Bombers!!
What you like Ans don’t like about the London scene?
That’s a difficult one. There’s a few afternoon clubs that have sprung up and become fairly popular in the last year or two. Mainly due to many people that go come in from out of town now which is good thing.
Many years ago there was a lot more Rockin folk that lived in London. Parking (if you drove) was easier and cheaper. Since then some venues have closed and some come back from the past too.
We have to adapt and find new places which I’m glad to see is happening. London for me is still the best place as it’s easier to get in and out of than most other places in England due to the transport system here.
I can’t say I dislike anything about the scene, I’ve pretty much based my whole life within it!
Last question Why the name “Hot Dang Dilly”?
Easy – If you’re a fan of Carl Perkins you’d know.
It’s three words taken from his record “Glad All Over” and is my favourite record by him. So it probably answers the question above. Yes this is a record that will most likely get played in every set I do.
