Theo Parrish

Theo Parrish plays records at Plastic People on the first Saturday of every month and has done since early 2008. So far, I’ve been four times this year.

I won’t forget the first time in a hurry. I didn’t know a single track he played and I found myself slightly humbled - all illusions of having a good grasp of a variety of musical styles slowly but surely went out the window. On top of that Theo’s a man-possessed. I’ve seen videos on youtube of him DJing in several venues but it seems the Force is strongest in him when he’s got the revered Plastic People sound-system behind him. Quite often, and especially when he’s caught-up in one of his trademark jazz-fits, he’ll mess around with the EQ’s so quickly that everything in his vicinity begins to blur (see pic) and his eyes will disappear to the back of his head for a bit. He’s self-indulgence personified. But that’s really the best thing about going to see Theo in action. It’s his show and you’re just along for the ride.

Case in point, and no word of exaggeration here: he once pulled back a record three times just because he wasn’t happy with his mixing (personally I think the record was scratched but that was by-the-by for a determined Theo). The dance-floor was frozen by the time he went back for his third attempt, but nobody cared. We were there for Theo, quite simply a bad motherfucker from Detroit with some serious records to dance along to (or stand still to) for however long he felt like having us around…

I actually intended to close this up with a few links to some music that Theo’s been known to play at his London residency, but instead I’m going to skirt the issue of what you’re likely to hear and leave it open for you so hopefully you’ll get knocked for six like I was.

Just so you know… Theo’s next house-party takes place on October 3rd and long may his residency continue.