Zone-Magazine-Wally-Lopez-Issue-040

Tell us about Sammy.
I grew up in Warrington, Cheshire. My dad was a
guitarist in a band in his spare time, so we always had music
on and tried to learn different instruments.
Tell us about how you got started in
the dance scene.
My neighbour who was a year older than me, took
me when I was 16, to a club called Legends in Warrington in
1991, I had never experienced anything like it. I went back
the following week on my own as she couldn’t make it, I saw
some of the people I had met the week before and made new
friends. I basically went every week and danced on a podium
behind the DJ with a girl called Tracey who I am still friends
with now.
First DJ equipment and when? Why?
So, having given up piano lessons and failed
miserably at guitar lessons, I decided I would give playing
vinyl a go. I started going into Hott Waxx records in
Warrington every week. By this time I was 17, I had a part
time glass collecting job and earned about £17 a week. Most
of it went on records. The shop keeper used to keep them for
me until I could afford to pay for them. I for the life of me
can’t remember how I paid for them, but I managed to get
the money to buy a pair of Technics 1210’s and I bought the
old mixer from the record shop when they got a new one.
Festivals, Super clubs, Small clubs, or
House party? And Why?
Festivals during the day, preferably in the sunshine,
because everyone is happy and you can see amazing outfits
and smiling faces.
Tell us about your feelings on Female
DJ’s and how they are seen in the
scene? Are they treated differently?
I regret not trying harder when I was younger
as I now have my age against me in some respects, but
it’s also working in my favour in terms of my knowledge
and ability.
I think the recent influx of influencer and model DJs
has not helped our cause, there are a lot of men saying we
they get booked for our looks. There are a lot of talented
female DJs and they don’t normally come with big egos
attached and have more fun behind the decks. I would like to
see an all female line up without anyone pointing out that it’s
all female.
tunes, it scratches, ends up back in the wrong sleeve, you
can’t find the track you want when you want it etc etc.
Best club you have played and why?
The best club I have played and not for being a great
club as such, but because it was my first proper gig and the
crowd were amazing, was a Wobble event in Birmingham at
the Hockley Social.
What do you think about all the fake
DJs, so blatantly getting caught out,
and that whole future in the scene?
It’s good they are getting found out, it’s not great for
the scene as it gives the wrong impression. There are many
factors to being a good DJ and they should put the work in to
be one.
Best place you have played and why?
last year I played in the spike bar in the glade
at Glastonbury, it was a special moment, as the bar was
packed and I received an ovation at the end of my set.
You are the only person left on earth
after the apocalypse, you find a set of
decks, a mixer, and sound system,
and 5 vinyl. what 5 tracks do you find
to play the rest of your life? And why?
Joe Smooth - Promised Land – One of my all time
faves, Nothing beats this and my kids have instructions to
play it at my funeral. John Summit – Thin Line – Reminds me
of his boat party at Defected Croatia 2021, the vibe on that
boat was amazing and one of the reasons I pushed myself to
DJ. Todd Terry – Jumpin – Again one of my favourite feel
good classics. Bicep – Glue – I played this at 9am in the
morning at a beach party in Croatia and it was a special
moment. Grandmaster Flash & Melle Mel – White Lines – For
sheer entertainment and rapping contests.
Worst gig you have played and why?
I would prefer not to answer any negative questions
as it is not good karma, but of course there are times where I
haven’t performed at my best or accidentally loaded the same
track twice or accidentally turned the wrong deck off. It
happens.
Vinyl, CD’s, Or Digital, or a mix? And
why?
Digital for me. I do love vinyl as it has a warmth to
it, but vinyl is heavy, you can’t carry the same volume of