In the Spotlight with.. pete lashmar

[Ome]

Up in the spotlight this week is

@pete lashmar​

Telly Talk Member 606​

Pete joined the forums back March 2017



For my part in the forums, little is known about Pete, I don’t even know if he prefers pete lashmar to Pete Lashmar, or even if Pete is his real name. What I do know is Pete is a DJ from Portugal. Is that a radio DJ, a self-employed DJ for private parties, or a DJ that creates music?

I’ve enjoyed my interactions with Pete, especially when we were discussing Michael Jackson in the Leaving Neverland thread. I also loved finding out he is one of the very few Blake's 7 fans


But what else do we know about Pete, and what don’t we know?


Please take this week to ask as many, or little questions you have for Pete including any follow-up questions that might arise during the week.

Enjoy your week in the spotlight​

I will start with one question that intrigues me with everyone.

Pete, if you were to take part in Mastermind (a quiz show) what would be your specialist subject?

 

[pete lashmar]

Thank you @Ome , looking forward to the week ahead.

I have so many varied tastes in TV, film, music and books that finding just 1 subject for Mastermind is quite a tough task. I think, logically I would have to go for the Tom Baker era of Doctor Who - 1974-1981 because I have watched these episodes so many times over the years. However. with only 4 series made I could actually go for Blake's 7 too as I have watched the show over too many times to mention and still absolutely adore it - faults and all.

 

[pete lashmar]

@Ome - just to clear up your other questions & queries, My name is Pete, (only my mum adds the R at the end ) and Lashmar is my surname. I DJ in a bar here in Albufeira Portugal (well....not this year alas) and generally play everything from the 60s onwards - it is a large bar and we pretty much have party night every night during the main holiday season.

 

[Ome]

it is a large bar and we pretty much have party night every night during the main holiday season.

Wow! What a great life you must lead and yet what a crappy year for this kind of work.


Are there songs that you play in which grate on you because of that overplayed feeling?
What songs do you know will get people up and dancing?

 

[pete lashmar]

Wow! What a great life you must lead and yet what a crappy year for this kind of work.


Are there songs that you play in which grate on you because of that overplayed feeling?
What songs do you know will get people up and dancing?

@Ome Oh yes, there are many songs that I used to love and absolutely loath now. Number 1 would be Whitney, I wanna Dance with Somebody. I love her, I love her first couple of albums but that song grates on me so much now. Wham, Wake me Up is another one - a great party song but it just annoys me now - and both these songs are 4 plus minutes long.

Depending on what sort of crowd we have in the bar we can play 80s all night with a mad half hour of madness and Bad Manners which gets the 50 year olds up thinking they are back at the school disco - then after 10 minutes they collapse haha. Every night is different though and of course we play all the silly songs that get the people up. YMCA, Macarena etc.

 

[Angela Chilling]

Hi @pete lashmar, I hope you enjoy your week when the spotlight shines brightly on you. I have a few questions for you:

1. In an earlier answer you hinted that Covid-19 has impacted negatively on your work this year but will you take anything positive from the coronavirus crisis?
2. What are you looking forward to most once the pandemic is over?
3. Do you think living through the pandemic will change you or your attitudes to life in any way?

 

[James from London]

Hi Pete!

Aside from the obvious bangers, are there any songs you play that we wouldn't necessarily expect people to go nuts for but they do?

Conversely, are there any songs you'd love to play, but people just don't go for?

Is there a mix from one song to another you've discovered that always works?

"Last night a DJ saved my life ..." "I am the DJ, I am what I play ..." "Hey Mr DJ, put a record on ..." "Hang the DJ ..." "God is a DJ ..." but Pete, tell us. what's your favourite DJ-themed song?

Tom Baker era of Doctor Who - 1974-1981 because I have watched these episodes so many times over the years.

Have you got a favourite story?

 

[pete lashmar]

Hi @pete lashmar, I hope you enjoy your week when the spotlight shines brightly on you. I have a few questions for you:

1. In an earlier answer you hinted that Covid-19 has impacted negatively on your work this year but will you take anything positive from the coronavirus crisis?
2. What are you looking forward to most once the pandemic is over?
3. Do you think living through the pandemic will change you or your attitudes to life in any way?

Hi @Angela Channing, thank you for your questions.

1. In Portugal we went into Lockdown from February until June. We have been very lucky though in many ways though - although no bars have been allowed DJs all year the government here have offered full unemployment benefit until March 2021 to those unable to work so there hasn't been the worry and the angst that so many people have had. Also, another positive is that we have been able to meet up with friends who we normally only see in the winter (off) season and have spent time getting to know each other more and help each other. Usually, during the summer season we are all working in our own bars, so that's been a great help in getting us through the year.

2. I just cannot wait to start work again, I've missed the music, the people, the atmosphere. Also, next winter I can't wait to get over to see my family in the UK. My mum and dad are in their late 70's early 80's so I wouldn't dream of seeing them until it is 100% safe.

3. I certainly think I'll be thankful every time I can hug someone. I'm quite a tactile person so I've missed that hugely. But I think it will always have a lasting impact on us for so many different reasons, just being able to kind of be normal again will be so rewarding.

 

[pete lashmar]

Hi Pete!

Aside from the obvious bangers, are there any songs you play that we wouldn't necessarily expect people to go nuts for but they do?

Conversely, are there any songs you'd love to play, but people just don't go for?

Is there a mix from one song to another you've discovered that always works?

"Last night a DJ saved my life ..." "I am the DJ, I am what I play ..." "Hey Mr DJ, put a record on ..." "Hang the DJ ..." "God is a DJ ..." but Pete, tell us. what's your favourite DJ-themed song?


Have you got a favourite story?

Hi @James from London, thanks for your question.

The bar I work in is also a show bar so we have a live show on every night and I DJ either side of it, so the music fits with the act that is on. So on an ABBA tribute night it will be a lot of Pop like Steps, Kylie etc, on Elvis night it will be more 60's and rock'n'roll.

I do have a tendency to surprise the bar (and quite often the manager) - for instance we will randomly play Bohemian Rhapsody and get as many people stood up a large window ledge and just rock out - and we always get them going with the silly songs.

With the Madness half hour I always put out a health warning because we have had people literally collapse from dancing to all the 2 tone groups.

I do try to be cohesive with songs and let them wander into each other, but generally it's warm up music before the live show and get on the dancefloor after the live show. My personal favourite oddly is Penny Arcade by Roy Orbison - it never fails to get the whole bar singing and dancing along.

I should add also that I am a little bit nuts myself - and at 52 I should no better, but getting a whole bar singing and dancing is just so rewarding that you do all you can to make every night a great one.

Another odd one that gets them going is Chirpy Chirpy Cheap Cheap....I was so nervous when I first played it but my god the reaction was great. The best reaction I can hope for is "Oh my god I haven't heard this for years", said...along with a big smile.

 

[Michelle Stevens]

Hello @pete lashmar. :ello:

1. Have you been to Praia da Marinha/Marinha Beach? The Algarve region is so beautiful.

2. As I know which Dallas character you dislike the most, who is your favorite?

3. Have you ever traveled to the United States?

4. How long have you been a DJ?

 

[Barbara On A Broomstick]

Hello @pete lashmar

a few general questions to start

Are you a morning person or a night owl
Are you a tea or coffee person?

What is your favourite sport to play? if any
and to watch as a spectator on TV?

What are the Top 5 cities you have visited?

What is the best concert you have been to
And the worst concert?
Who would you like to see that (you havent yet got there - ie who is on your wish list)

What are the top 5 cities in Portugal you would recommend i visit (Been to Lisbon x 1 and Algarve x1)

Thank you for time being

 

[pete lashmar]

Hello @pete lashmar. :ello:

1. Have you been to Praia da Marinha/Marinha Beach? The Algarve region is so beautiful.

2. As I know which Dallas character you dislike the most, who is your favorite?

3. Have you ever traveled to the United States?

4. How long have you been a DJ?

Hi @Michelle Stevens, thanks for your questions.

The Algarve is a wonderful place and I came here originally as a holiday rep for Thomson after living in Gran Canaria (Spanish island) for 10 years. Unfortunately I don't drive but have been all over helping with excursions etc. I've not been to Praia da Marinha as I am based in Albufeira and it's quite a distance from here, but I am aware of the area - generally the beaches here are amazing and many hidden gems to discover if you can drive around.

2. I think Sue Ellen is my favourite, I feel that out of all the characters in the show it was Sue Ellen that really developed and grew into one of the most pivotal characters too. I also think Linda had great chemistry with just about everyone.

3. I've been to Florida three times for the parks, last time I was there was last December and we stayed at the Hard Rock Hotel at Universal. I'm hoping to go back in December 2022. I have always wanted to fly into San Francisco, drive down to Anaheim, then up through San Diego and then head to Las Vegas - but my dream requires a car as as a non driver it's unlikely to happen. I'd also love to visit some of the great parks there in a winnebego.

I should just point out that because of where I have lived in the past I have never had a need to drive and so it's just something I never got around to doing.

4. I've been a DJ for 6 years. When I came here working with Thomson holidays I met a guy and fell in love and stayed here. The local bar we always went to needed a DJ and so they gave me a chance. I'd never done it before but loved all the old hits so much that it was a perfect fit. I'm so proud to be the oldest DJ in Portugal!

 

[Angela Chilling]

I certainly think I'll be thankful every time I can hug someone. I'm quite a tactile person so I've missed that hugely.

Me too, it's what I miss the most so I can totally relate to your answer. Just the thought of being able to touch someone again, hug them, or even just shake their hand makes me emotional just thinking about it because I've not had that kind of contact with anyone for 8 months.

 

[pete lashmar]

Hello @pete lashmar

a few general questions to start

Are you a morning person or a night owl
Are you a tea or coffee person?

What is your favourite sport to play? if any
and to watch as a spectator on TV?

What are the Top 5 cities you have visited?

What is the best concert you have been to
And the worst concert?
Who would you like to see that (you havent yet got there - ie who is on your wish list)

What are the top 5 cities in Portugal you would recommend i visit (Been to Lisbon x 1 and Algarve x1)

Thank you for time being

Hi @Barbara Fan, thank you for your questions.

I am much more of a night owl, when I work it's usually until 4am. Before I lived overseas I worked as the Stage Door Keeper at Phantom Of The Opera in London, and again always finished work late and then headed to the bars and clubs. I do love mornings too, but definitely more a night owl.

I drink much more coffee than tea, I find tea is nice in the afternoon, but always have coffee in the morning and also when I'm at work.
I'm not really a sports fan to be honest. When I lived in East London (Walthamstow) we used to go to Highbury to watch Arsenal most Saturdays, but when it became all seater and the prices shot through the roof we just couldn't afford it and the fun went out of it for us without the terraces.

I also don't watch sport on TV, I watch football matches in the bar when I'm working and enjoy the big competitions but wouldn't choose to watch.

I do however like a bit of heavyweight boxing and have been known to scream the bar down with "F***ing hit him!" - which always seems to go down well with the staff as I am so not an aggressive person in any way shape or form.

Top 5 cities - top of the list has to be London, it was my playground for more than 30 years and I absolutely adore it. Amsterdam was somewehere I visited regularly when I worked in Holland when I was 18, it was just so different and vibrant and I loved the culture. I am a huge fan of Germany, so Munich & Cologne are very high up on the list. I'm not sure what it is about Germany I love, it just has something that nowhere else does. Finally I would say Madrid - but never ever in the summer, it kills you with heat!

Concerts - best concert was probably Michael Jackson's Bad tour, which I saw at Wembley - just an incredible performance from a man at the very top of his game. I have also seen Neil Diamond a few times and think he is amazing live.
Worst one I've seen - probably and sadly Blondie. I'm a huge fan and Debbie Harry got boo'd off stage because she was "on" something and couldn't sing a note.

I've always wanted to see Olivia Newton John live but never had the opportunity, and I would have done anything to see Queen Live (with Freddie). I did meet him years ago when I worked at The London palladium and tore his ticket. I also worked backstage at his tribute concert, but would have loved to have seen him with Queen live.

Lisbon is a very popular city, but I prefer Porto, it's far less touristic and therefore natural and has a great feel about it with great people. As I don't drive I don't get to do the cities much, but from The Algarve I would say Savile - I know it's in Spain but it's only 2 hours away and I adore everything about it.

 

[pete lashmar]

Me too, it's what I miss the most so I can totally relate to your answer. Just the thought of being able to touch someone again, hug them, or even just shake their hand makes me emotional just thinking about it because I've not had that kind of contact with anyone for 8 months.

I couldn't agree more and what's really hit me is watching TV with live shows news etc and it's bad news after bad news and no one can console anyone, no one can touch or cuddle or hug - it's so upsetting. Also a man won the million on who wants to be a millionaire and no one could even shake his hand!

 

[supermanfan]

What is your favorite holiday @pete lashmar ?

 

[pete lashmar]

What is your favorite holiday @pete lashmar ?

Hi @superman fan, thanks for your question.

Having lived in holiday hotspots for many years the idea of laying on a beach or around a pool just doesn't appeal to me.

We love Florida and all the theme parks - more Universal than Disney, but although you don't really relax on those kinds of holidays we just love the rides, the variety of restaurants and the general atmosphere.

Unfortunately, because we work seasonally throughout the summer we don't get the opportunity to travel any other time than winter, and so we're restricted on where we can go for good weather and fun, so Florida fits the bill there too.

I would however love to do a European coach tour going through Germany, Austria, Poland, Switzerland ect, and although we could do that over winter the dates are limited and too much of the itinerary is Christmas Markets and such like and we just want to see the countryside, villages, castles. The cost for these kinds of holidays is quite high too. We love Christmas, but visiting a Christmas Market everyday of a holiday is, even for us, a but too much.

Also with Florida, because of a long flight we really feel that we are getting away.

 

[Werewillie Oleson]

I met a guy and fell in love and stayed here. The local bar we always went to needed a DJ and so they gave me a chance. I'd never done it before but loved all the old hits so much that it was a perfect fit

I want your life. Please!
Q: any advice on how I could impostor you in a soaptastic way?

 

[pete lashmar]

I want your life. Please!
Q: any advice on how I could impostor you in a soaptastic way?

Hi @Willie Oleson, believe me, my first year of DJing I was still in Holiday Rep mode and nearly burnt myself out. I work 7 nights a week for 7 months and was doing every single dance to all the songs with dances - with the free drinks on top of that I was exhausted by the end of that first year. I'm now much more settled and a tiny weeny bit more grown up (52 going on 17).

So, in a soaptastic way you'd need to put a young head on old shoulders and learn how to do The Macarena, 5,6,7,8, Cotton Eyed Joe and...most importantly...Tragedy - then you could easily be an imposter

 

[Karin Schill]

Hi @pete lashmar

I hope you will enjoy your week in the spotlight.

So 5,6,7,8 is an actual dance routine abroad too. I didn't know that. But I remember we used to dance to that way back when it first came out.

I understand you are from the UK originally so I am wondering.

1) What was it that made you move abroad?
2) How many places have you lived at? (which ones)

3) I also think it's cool you've seen MJ in concert. Which is your favorite song with him?

4) What are your interests?

5) Have you ever visited Southfork?

That's all for now.