From: Eye - November 22, 2001

DJ profileJOHN E

Veteran DJ johnE is a resident at Tonic's For Those Who Know on Wednesdays, 3D Thursdays at Madbar and Saturdays at Cream. He also appears at Funktion Friday at the It Nightclub (32 Dalhousie) alongside Matt C and 2 Swift Household on Friday, Nov. 30 and Brampton's Red Room on Dec. 8.

You've been a fixture on the Toronto scene for a long time -- what's your background and where are you coming from?

I've been playing records for the better part of 15 years, taking a serious run beginning in '92 with the development of Pleasure Force. I was a major fixture in rave culture up until I figured I'd move my shit into the club market, which is when we started Funkist at Oz, then moved it to Pure at Limelight -- which was the one of two house nights at that time -- the following year. I've basically had to balance and juggle the promoter/DJ thing for the past nine years. So, now I'm concentrating fully on DJing and production work.

How would you describe your sound?

I'll play whatever is going to get the ladies dancing. All you up-and-coming DJs take note -- that's my tip of the day.

The best thing about being a DJ is...

That you have the ability to put a smile on someone's face. When you're that in touch with the crowd, it's a feeling like no other.

What track always makes you smile?

"Music Is The Key" by Foul Play. This was the final track of one of my more memorable tapes. To this day, I still get people coming up to me to say how much they loved the tape from Pleasure Force New Year's in '94/'95. That track will forever be considered "The Anthem." It still makes the hair on the back of my neck stand. It represents a time when things were less complicated and much happier.

How do you bluff your way past the door person when you're not on the guest list?

Tell them I know Rob Lisi from Lifeforce Industries.

What kind of clientele are you aiming for at your new Friday night at It Nightclub?

Not one particular type -- more along the lines of people who just want to party. We're not going to poo-poo anybody. If you are up for a good time then the door's wide open.

JOHNE'S TOP 5 SPINS

1. "onephatbillie" (white label)2. Ceballos & DJ Chus, "Afrika" (Stereo)3. Rick Preston, "Cha!" (!Viva!)4. DJ Addy, unreleased CD-R5. johnE, "Out of My Head" (Re-Edit)

RANDY CHOWrchow@eye.net