Party On, Wayne’s Girls, Party On

by Sarah Ahmad
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Party On, Wayne's Girls, Party On - Fresh Print Magazine

Party On, Wayne’s Girls, Party On – Fresh Print Magazine

From what Vogue Italia claimed to be the hippest place on earth’s famed streets of London’s Dalston district to Toronto’s up and coming Dundas West scene, Wayne’s Girls has graced both sides of the Atlantic with the power of rock. This DJ duo’s sound is loud, melodic and guitar driven, classic rock that makes you want to dance or at the very least headbang yourself into a tizzy- and if that doesn’t give you reason enough to check out this tandem, then come for the theatricality factor. Wayne’s Girls is a modern, musical medley take on the 1992 cult classic Wayne’s World starring Canadian goofball Mike Meyers as the titular Wayne Campbell and sidekick Dana Carvey as Garth Algar. The brain child of this well-pitched enterprise and one constant variable is Vancouver by way of London transplant, Mar Sellars.

In 2009 Sellars and best friend and, local semi celebrity BBC Radio One host Jen Long were scheduled to host a Halloween gig in East London’s, The Old Blue Last – an ultra-cool bar that has showcased such acts as The Arctic Monkeys, Florence + The Machine, and Amy Winehouse,  and is run by the cutting edge folks of Vice Magazine. In a desire to not play the Monster Mash, and to live up to the avant garde standard, the girls longed to put a spin on their set, and with a mixture of divine inspiration and opportunity, it struck Sellars – Wayne’s World. The decision to commit to the costumes added to the thrill, “the characters are so culturally recognizable” she says matter of factly. While perusing through the original Wayne’s World soundtrack, Alice Cooper’s Feed My Frankenstein and Black Sabbath’s Time Machine just sealed the deal for Sellars, she comments “Wayne and Garth have a really Halloween-ish taste in music, so playing Megadeth and Iron Maiden is something that they would do.” Sellars is not afraid to go off the beaten path by incorporating artists that are not on the official movie soundtrack, during an average set you can hear likes of The Scorpions, Mötley Crüe and REO Speedwagon, as well as other late 1980s and early 1990s iconic rock bands.

Sellars warmth and abundance of confidence, make her a natural for the role of Wayne Campbell, however she chooses to channel Garth Algar’s bashful and awkward sensibilities into her stage persona, “I have prescription nerdy Garth-esque glasses – all I had to get was a blonde wig,” she makes light of her own flamboyant mannerisms, and admits that its sometimes difficult to stay in Garth’s gawky character as the night progresses with tune after tune.

With her light, transatlantic drawl she fondly reminisces about the inaugural Wayne’s Girls set, she tells me that as the night came to a close, herself and Long amped the crowd into a rowdy rendition of Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody. A tradition that still sticks to this day. The night was a success, this was evidenced by the sweaty crowd surfing bodies, and jam packed dance floor. The positive response piqued the interest of a few of London’s top venues  “if you dress up like that, I’ll book you to DJ,” was the response of promoters – the pair went on to play a show entitled “Wayne’s World Schwing Along” at Leicester Square at Prince Charles Cinema, which is widely regarded as England’s funkiest cinema.

After a decade of living in London, and a brief stint in Berlin, Sellars found herself in Hogtown. A Garth DJing without a Wayne just wouldn’t be right, so Sellars set out for a new partner to party on with, she came across Toronto musician and DJ, Sarah Jane Ford,  and  cinephile, Lindsay Blair who each respectively bring their own unique take on Meyers’ character to the DJ booth.

Wayne's Girls - Fresh Print Magazine

Wayne’s Girls – Fresh Print Magazine

Sellars acknowledges that hard rock is a difficult genre to DJ, but she uses her inventiveness around this hurdle by blending her sets with upbeat retro classics such as Toni Basil’s Hey Mickey and 1970s psychedelic jams by the likes of T-Rex and Pink Floyd.

In a male dominated genre and medium of music, I ask Sellars if its ever difficult being a female DJ, her plucky attitude turns this widely perceived hindrance into a positive, “saying Wayne’s Girls is way cooler.” The name alone brings the kitsch factor, which in the age of fixies, and exaggerated moustaches adds to the invisible hipster points which are exchanged for nods of approval from the dwellers of the Dundas West scene. She goes on to say, “two girls dressing up as guys is awesome, its way more hilarious, than if two dudes did it, and just named it Wayne’s World.” Attending a Wayne’s Girls show is sure to bring a smile to any nostalgic rock and roll aficionado’s face, and even young metalheads may find themselves bopping along to the classics.

You can catch Wayne’s Girls MCing and DJing, Youth Empowerment Day on May 23rd 2014 at Mel Lastman Square.

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