People: Gus Michael

Gus Michael has been a prolifically gigging DJ for over 30 years. Mill meets the man behind the decks.

Since buying his first mobile rig in 1986, genial jock Gus Michael reckons he’s worked in every pub and club in Paisley. You wouldn’t expect this groove-spinning night owl to be an early riser, but for the last few years he’s hosted the Breakfast Show on Barrhead-based community radio station Pulse 98.4. 

What inspired you to become a DJ?

A love of music. I always wanted to find new music, play new music and make people dance.

What does Paisley mean to you?

It’s very important to me, it gave me a good career and a very good life. When I first started working in Paisley I used to do a nightclub called Paris, and from there I went to Shuttles on Shuttle Street. Next door from that was a bar called The Bistro, then across the road you had The Latin Quarter. Even Toledo Junction, which is now Viennas, I worked there back in the day. I also worked in The Cotton Club and Bar Budda. All very good, fond memories. 

Have you noticed any significant changes in Paisley’s nightlife scene over the years?

The clubs have definitely changed a lot. Gone are the days of the super-club, and I think a lot of that is down to the change in the licence law. Clubs opening from midnight to 4am, that tends not to happen anymore. When I worked in Carnegie’s in Paisley, it had a big show-bar feel. The DJ used to be the star attraction, but also the bar staff did lots of dances and routines. On a Wednesday night in Carnegie’s you were getting around 1,700 people. Any place would bite your hand off for that nowadays. 

Tell us about some of the events you’ve been involved with via Pulse…

We’ve done the Renfrew Christmas lights, the Johnstone Christmas lights. We also do the Halloween party in Paisley and big events like the Monte Carlo rally in January. We’re very much on the map now.

Quickfire Q&A

First album: Tenpole Tudor – Eddie, Old Bob, Dick And Gary

Favourite song: Stray Cats – Runaway Boys

Guaranteed floor filler: Faithless – Music Matters 

Favourite band: Stray Cats

Best live gig: Stray Cats 

Local Artists to Look out for: Zoe Tait aka The Ladybugg, and The Logans

Listen to Gus and the Pulse 98.4 gang at pulseonair.co.uk.