DJ handle: DJ Junior
Real name: Jeff Roberts
What it means: Junior has been my nickname my whole life.
What I play: I play nothing but single 45s of ’50s and ’60s rock and roll, rockabilly, garage, surf, R&B and jump blues.
Catch me at: All weekend long at the Heavy Rebel Festival in Winston-Salem. Back in Pittsburgh, I have a regular gig at a place called the Rock Room.
Got in the biz: I started DJ-ing live about five years ago.
Why I do it: I have played guitar for over 20 years and I decided to do something else for a while. I’ve collected records for as long as I can remember, so with a walkin closet at my house full of 45 singles, I decided to buy two turntables and a mixer, and here I am.
Influences: “Mad” Mike Metrovich and Pork Chedwick (the Daddio of the Raddio, the Platter Pushing Poppa) by far have to be my favorite DJs.
First pro gig: At the Smiling Moose on Carson Street in the south side of Pittsburgh. Yes, it was a bad night; everything and anything went wrong that night! I will just leave it at that.
Favorite technique: I love to set my records on fire! This is not a joke; I literally light the record “Great Balls of Fire” by Jerry Lee Lewis on fire while the record is playing. Jerry Lee Lewis back in the ’ 50s used to light his piano on fire while playing “Great Balls of Fire,” so as a tribute to him, I light my records on fire.
Personal playlist: Pretty much anything from Beethoven to Megadeth, though no rap or hip hop.
Equipment: Two Technics 1200s with Shure stylists and a Denon mixer.
Website: http://www.facebook.com/DJJuniorPgh
