Hey DJ! Friday Q&A: Richie Panic
Hey DJ!
Up next on deck in our weekly local DJ Q&A series: Richie Panic, one of the big dance commanders for Frisco Disco [at the Transfer] and Blow Up [at Rickshaw Stop]. Crystal Akins pulled Panic away from the turntables long enough to get a couple stories (and take a couple photos) from this jetsetter who has spun everywhere from Philly clubs to Chinatown shitholes (more on that last one below).
Name: My name is Richie Panic.
Club night: I DJ at the world famous Frisco Disco and Blow Up at the Rickshaw Stop.
Where are you from originally?: I’m from Florida, the dick of the world, and any map can point that [out] to you.
Style of music you spin: I like to call what I play “whatever it takes.” W.I.T. Whatever it takes to get the dance floor going.
Name of a track you can’t get out of your head: “Automatic” by The Pointer Sisters.
Dream DJ partner: I’ve played with almost everyone I’ve dreamt about. I went on after 2 Many DJs, which is like every DJ’s fantasy -- to have them hand off the turntable to you. I don’t want to say I’ve already lived my dream, but that was a pretty amazing experience.
Favorite DJ experience: Mostly just getting to travel, and I’m still living it. I went from Atlanta to Philadelphia to New York all in one week. Getting to go to L.A. every month for a week and DJing with people like DJ AM and [Steve] Aoki. Just getting the DJ experience of getting to travel and getting paid to do it. It doesn’t get much better than that.
Worst request: Shakira, “Hips Don’t Lie.” Not only was it a bad song when it came out, but now it’s a fucking OLD song. I haven’t heard that in a long time, but I hear horror stories from other people. That’s always the watermark that someone has lost their mind.
Most clichéd DJ track right now: I don’t know because I’m sure I play it, too. I’m not even aware that it’s cliché. I tend to get bored with songs faster than a lot of other DJs, but I’m sure I’m just as guilty.
Most treasured vinyl score: Joe Jackson, “Steppin’ Out” on 12-inch. It’s a great song, and I’ve always loved it. I had a 7-inch for a long time that I wore out. And you know, I’ve talked to other DJs that collect all kinds of weird 12-inches that don’t even have that record. I found it one day for $3 in the Castro.
Musical mantra: Sometimes I say I love my audience … just trying to give the love to get the love. Some nights you just really feel like, “I love these drunk, fucked up people.” And they’re like, “we love you,” and it’s this amazing relationship.
Worst DJ experience: There was a New Year Eve’s party at a particular dive bar in Chinatown where both bathrooms flooded due to the pouring of rain. The entire dance floor/ DJ area became this shit swamp. Everyone stayed -- it was New Year’s Eve, and it turned out to be an awesome time, but I remember DJing with my jeans rolled up above my knees.
Any other comments you’d like to make?: I’d like to thank the readers of SF Weekly for voting me the Best Club DJ in San Francisco, and Gun’s and Roses rules.
Question we didn’t ask you but you often ask yourself: Who am I? What am I doing here? My god what have I done, this is not my beautiful wife. No, I think that was great.
Next time we can see you spin: Every Saturday at Frisco Disco and Friday’s at Blow Up.
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