Here we divert our attention away from the artists and bands and shine a light on some of those individuals whose contributions in our social media world have been an invaluable source of musical joy. By asking a series of 10 questions we want to get inside the mind of a selected community member and understand their indie DNA.

In this edition – DOUG JACK

Doug Jack

It’s seems kind of obvious that Doug should be our inaugural subject, being very much an original member. We were just a fledgling Facebook group with a mere half a dozen members when Doug came crashing into our world. Up to that point we were sharing fairly formulaic indie tunes (Smiths, Madchester, Britpop, Shoegaze etc) and then suddenly Doug joined the group bringing with him his own very dark and heavy brand of indie.

His first post was Fugazi’s Waiting Room which was a perfect statement of intent for what was to follow regularly. It would be fair to say that everything that did follow was not likely to ever appear on a Shine compilation album. We’ve had the delights of Oxbow, Pissed Jeans, Ministry, Kildozer, and Godflesh. Doug’s posting of King Missile’s Detachable Penis is the stuff of EIO40 Facebook legend. As for Butthole Surfers. If it’s a Butthole related post, you can bet your bottom dollar Doug is the source.

So without further ado, let’s meet Doug Jack

1) Where did you grow up?
Scotland, Northwich and Rayleigh

2) What first got you into “indie” music?
Watching Top Of The Pops with my parents. Anything they objected to generally was good indicator. Seeing punk and New Wave and thinking “Wow!”

3) What was the first “indie” record you bought?
New Order “Blue Monday”

4) What was your favourite record shop(s)?
Golden Disc, Southend and Honest Johns, London

5) What music magazines did you read?
Melody Maker was my bible

6) What was your first “indie” gig?
Stump at a pub in Southend

7) What was your most memorable “indie” gig? And why?
Lots but probably the first time I saw Nirvana and was totally blown away. No one knew who they were and they were bottom of the bill at the Astoria supporting Mudhoney and Tad. It was also my first stage dive. I went on to see them quite a few times before Nevermind came out and ruined everything as everyone found out about them

8) What 3 “indie” albums would you take to a desert island?
Nirvana Unplugged, Aphex Twin Ambient Works and R.E.M. Automatic For The People

9) What “indie” band/artist would you most like to meet?
John Peel, who I did meet very briefly once. He was a massive influence and I listened to him obsessively. If we have to go with living, it would have to be Bjork as she is just so eccentric

10) What one song defines your indie-ness?
That’s a tough tough tough question. Guess The Butthole Surfers and Human Cannonball. I always loved their unique chaos and random approach to life. It has elements of Zappa, Beefheart, Sabbath and punk, It’s devious, it’s weird but it’s about enjoying music and not taking yourself seriously. Would of been this or Frank Sidebottom

[su_youtube url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMIt5vRQuOE” width=”320″ height=”240″ responsive=”no”]https://youtu.be/IMIt5vRQuOE[/su_youtube]

A huge thank you to Doug for taking part. Hope you enjoyed this insight into the indie-ness of Doug.

You could be next.