There aren’t many people in the history of British club music who are held in higher regard than Terry Farley. Alongside Andrew Weatherall, Cymon Eckel, Steve Mayes, Pete Heller and the rest of the Boy’s Own crew, they ran raves, released and produced records and printed a seminal, satirical fanzine that traced a very British link between the football terraces, dance floors, youth fashion and the picket line in a way that no other publication would before or after.
Having recently scored a Number 1 in the first ever UK vinyl chart with his Frankie Knuckles tribute feat. Underworld, Farley & Heller and The Misterons (‘Baby Wants To Ride’) he has been on the dancefloor since day dot. He has produced some of house music’s most enduring cuts under various guises, including Roach Motel and Bocca Juniors, as well as with fellow Boys Own cohort, producer and label boss Pete Heller as Farley and Heller.
Ahead of his next Boy’s Own night at the brilliant Steelyard venue on 27th June, we catch up with the man himself to take a look into his record collection…
The first record you ever bought was….?
Dennis Alcapone ‘Wake Up Jamaica’, Bush Market 1972 I think. A tiny white kid trying to push his way to the counter….
The first Acid House track you heard was…?
Acid House… I’m not sure. The first House record I ever played out was JM Silk ‘Shadows ‘but I never knew it was House or even about House just thought it was another import sounding like D’Train …
The ultimate house record is….?
‘Let The Music (Use You)’ by Night Writers, a Frankie Knuckles production and its got Everything that you want for a dancefloor – soul and euphoria .
What were the first records that you learnt how to mix with?
I never had decks at home and went fromplaying Reggae in back rooms to House in main rooms in the matter of weeks in 1988 and at times it was painful – for me and the dancers of whom im sure I broke a few ankles with train wrecks . However this baptism of fire taught me how to work a crowd and not to just play records that mix well ( something thats not a good thing ) but records that go together well in style and spirt .
The best song ever to end a set is….?
Sounds of Blackness ‘The Pressure’. Its got the big solo piano start into Ann Nesby’s gospel vocals and then Frankie Knuckles’ piano heaven…
Is there a track you have played which has cleared the dance floor?
Loads but you have to risk it – sometimes its cool to deliberately take the vibe down and then rebuild ..
Greatest remix of all time?
Any of the Larry Levans mixes of Gwen Gutherie. They changed the script completely.
The best DJ of all time is….?
Well I never saw Ron Hardy or Larry Levan play so I cant vote for them , so either Frankie Knuckles at the Sound Factory, Danny Tenagia late 90s at Groove Jet in Miami or Junior Vasquez at The Factory around 1993 .They all had golden periods. Fuck it, Junior Vasquez at The Sound Factory 91- 94. No one else could touch him or his crowd.
The best “new” DJ is…?
My fave current DJ is Honey Dijon – not new but somebody who embodies real house culture and the craft of the culture. I’m a fan of Nina Kravitz but then again who isn’t.
Any guilty pleasures in your collection?
Yeah Frankie Knuckles’ remix of ‘Unbreak My Heart’. I played it at Notting Hill carnival once – the girls n gays loved it while the blokesall shook there heads… boring bunch…
What would your karaoke song of choice be?
I cant sing
What would your desert island disc be?
Gregory Issacs ‘Cool Ruler’. Perfect for sun, beach and a cold beer
Boy’s Own Present… Drop Acid Not Bombs w/ M.A.N.D.Y. Honey Dijon, Farly & Heller and Daren Nunes @ The Steelyard EC4R 3UL on Saturday 27th June, 10pm – 6am. Advance tickets available HERE
