Spin doctor Ross Smith sets record straight on vinyl club nights Ready Steady Go Go (mod/rhythm 'n' blues/ska/northern soul) and Hot Jam (rockabilly)

VINYL enthusiast Ross Smith’s collection is too big to showcase over one night. Luckily for him – and Inverness tune fanatics – he has two to showcase his wares.

The DJ brings his trunk of records with him to the Phoenix this Saturday, for the latest itineration of his Ready Steady Go Go nights – a mod/rhythm ‘n’ blues/ska/northern soul night that has been running since 2004.

And next Saturday (April 13) will see Ross crack out the rockabilly records for the latest Hot Jam night at Mad Hatters.

The Ready Steady Go Go night marks something of a fresh start, as the event moves from its usual home of The Tooth and Claw to the Academy Street pub.

“I’d say the Tooth and Claw is probably still our spiritual home if you like, because [pub owners] James and Paulina have been really good to us over the years,” Ross explained. “But I thought we’d try something different with a bigger dancefloor and see if we can attract a few more people.

“There’s been a couple of nights we’ve done in the Tooth where it’s been really busy and it’s been hard to fit everyone in, so...”

The night will feature the usual Ready Steady Go Go DJs – Ross, Nigel Graham, Helen Boor and Allan Lauder. Saturday will also feature guest turns from the Aberdeen club night Twisted Vinyl – Alice Bye and Molzer.

"There’s a little bit of showing off the collection that’s involved with it, but mostly we play records for people to dance to."

“On this kind of scene it’s mostly record collectors who like to DJs recently!” Ross laughed. “Tony’s got loads and loads of records, as does Alice.

“It should be a really good night – it’s a 60s themed night, a mod night. Hot Jam’s more of a 50s night, more rock ‘n’ roll and rockabilly.

“So it’s a bit of a mods vs rockers, if you’d like. But I cover all genres because I just collect everything.”

Giving these classic tunes an airing is its own reward for the collectors, who scour the length and breadth of record shops to find their quarry.

But the important thing is getting the music played – and people out on their feet. “Exactly – there’s a little bit of showing off the collection that’s involved with it, but mostly we play records for people to dance to,” Ross said. “It’s meant to be a dancing evening!

“It kind of attracts a lot of different people, people who are into the music, people who are into the dancing, or people who just want to come and get the craic basically – it’s always a good laugh.

“It’s always a really nice atmosphere. If there’s anyone new who hasn’t been before, we always make a point of kind of introducing ourselves and making sure they feel welcome.

“It’s not one of those cliquey nights where you feel separate from everything.”

Ross brings his records to Ready Steady Go Go at The Phoenix on Saturday night from 8pm. His rockabilly night Hot Jam takes place the following Saturday (April 13) at Mad Hatters from 9.30pm. Both events are free entry. Search Ready Steady Go Go or Hot Jam on Facebook.