Darren

Describe your style in three words?

Yes and No

The first track you played on repeat? And where did you play it?

The Stranglers - Golden Brown

It would have to be the first record I bought which was 'Golden Brown' by The Stranglers. Odd choice for an 10 year old and I had no idea what it was about, not that it mattered. It wasn't a 'pop' record, which was good enough for me.

A song from your favourite album? And what does this track mean to you?

Joy Division - Heart and Soul - 2007 Remaster

'Closer' is my all time favourite album and will never be bettered by anybody. The songs work best as a body of work rather than individual tracks, but 'Heart & Soul' sets off Side 2 for a very intense ride. Timeless.

A song from your most memorable gig?

The Fall - Telephone Thing

The Fall played the UEA in 1990 for their Extricate Tour. Smith was still coherent at this stage of his career and they were a masterclass to what every band should do - play your songs, no banter, no encore. 'Telephone Thing' was an entry into a brave new world.

A song that always gets you up and dancing?

New Order - Blue Monday - 2016 Remaster

Stone cold classic, though not the easiest dance record to dance to. More of a treat for the ears.

A new song you're listening to? Why do you like this artist?

Ladytron - Deadzone

Music hit a cul-de-sac years ago, so has nowhere to go. Simon Cowell then takes us to the new Tin Pan Alley with big bag of cash as a result. Ladytron has been around for a couple of decades, and are still one of the current bands worth listening to, as they do actually care.

Best song to turn up loud? And why?

The Teardrop Explodes - Sleeping Gas

The Teardrop's could have been so much bigger, but they were sadly never built to last. Cope had Rock's adage of building your own house and then tearing it down again. Their tour de force use of brass meant they were responsible for Haircut 100, Wham! and even Howard Jones.

A song that defines the teenage you? And the memories it evokes?

The Associates - Party Fears Two

Drinking beyond the limit, which when you were a teenager was pretty easy to achieve.

An anthemic song? Why does it get your pulse racing?

Donna Summer - I Feel Love

The best song ever made. Give Moroder an honoury knighthood before he meets his sequencer in the sky.

Best song to end an all-nighter?

ESG - You're No Good

This slo-groove classic benefitted from producer Martin Hannett's famous use of digital delay. The whole EP has been sampled to death and one I will never part with.