To be someone

Many styles and trends have floundered in the ever-changing oceans of time. But Mod is, seemingly, eternal.

But what makes one? Is it the music? Having the right, sharp Italian suit? Is it the Paul Weller hair or the parka?

Weekend went on a mission to find the coolest in the region and discover what really makes a Mod.

The model mod

Darren Auzins, age 27 from Wolverhampton, got into the Mod scene at a young age. He says: "I'm a warehouse operative but help with the organising of the Wolverhampton Mod club Out of Time.

"I became interested from quite an early age. I guess it started with the music side of the scene, as all my family are into soul music. I bought records from Wolverhampton indoor market throughout my teens but it wasn't until I bought my first scooter at the age of 20 that I got onto the Mod scene properly, now it has become my lifestyle.

"I would say I have been influenced by the original Mods of the late 50s and 60s. That is reflected in the music I enjoy which is predominantly soul, rhythm and blues and jazz. The clothes I wear, from the smart sharp suit to the casual stylish knitwear, always pay attention to detail. This goes for the scooter I ride and the clubs I travel to too.

"Speaking from a young person's point of view I believe it's a lifestyle choice, one which has kept the scene relevant for almost 60 years. That is, despite it being a niche scene, it continues to grow with more and more young people feeling they can relate to it.

"After the working week you just want to go out looking your best to listen to good music with like-minded company. I love my 50s and 60s R&B, it's the real DNA in clubs on the Mod scene. A lot of my records reflect this, such as John Lee Hooker's You Gotta Shake It Up And Go, Mack Rice's Baby I'm Coming Home and the original Louie Louie by Richard Berry. One of my favourites at the moment is a recent purchase Little Willie John I'm Shakin' which is a big floor-filler on the current scene."

The hair

Craig Millard is the owner and stylist of vintage barber Aceface in Bristol Street, Birmingham. He is a Mod club promoter too. Explaining the famous 'Weller' hair, he tells Weekend: "I'm 47 so grew up listening to bands like The Who in my teens and never turned away from that music.

"Aceface has been trading since 2003, and I ended up doing the Mod thing because of my connection with the scene in Birmingham.

"Most guys want and ask for the Paul Weller look with the long sides; luckily he has always had the same style ever since the late 70s when he formed The Jam. As the years have gone on it's got longer and shorter. In the 90s, Oasis followed on the style, so now younger guys come in with photos of Noel and Liam asking for the styles.

"The look goes back to the 60s and bands such as the Small Faces, The Kinks and The Beatles. These days, its a classic cut connected to guys in the scooter scene, Northern Soul fans and Mods."

The tunes

Ray Charles – I Don't Need No Doctor

The Kingsmen – Louie Louie

Ray Barretto – Soul Drummers

Sugar Pie DeSanto – Soulful Dress

Little Willie John – I'm Shakin'

The Action – I'll Keep Holding On

Small Faces – What'cha Gonna Do About It

Georgie Fame – Somebody Stole My Thunder

Glyn Preece, 49, has been DJing for around a quarter of a century and has been into the scene since his early teens. He currently DJs at the Out Of Time Mod night at the Newhampton Arts Centre on Dunley Street, Wolverhampton. The next event takes place on May 29. We asked Glyn what makes for good Mod music. He says: "The list could be endless. These tunes are popular on the circuit, although I could have chosen plenty more. Some are more obscure, but the tunes we aim to play are original R&B, Boogaloo, Latin , 6T's soul, ska, Mod obscurities and classics. Here are my top picks . . ."

The threads

Mike Ritson runs clothing site It's a Mod Thing in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, and the popular Fishtail Parkas, which has supplied and worked with Oasis, The Who, Quadrophenia, Brighton Rock, Kate Moss, Vogue and Vespa, as well as Mods the world over.

He says: "Parkas are our main business, but we've since expanded into Mod clothing. When I was younger, I was into dance and had a friend who was into The Who. He had a scooter and really got me into it! A lot of high street stuff is based on Mod fashion. Parkas, Fred Perry polos, desert boots and Levi's 501s are popular, but many Mods are different.

"For a proper Mod, it's not just about a polo shirt. It's about looking smart and standing out. We supplied Oasis with a fishtail parka for their Acquiesce video which, I believe, was shot in Japan. Liam has also had parkas from us in the past for his personal collection. The Who contacted us for a fishtail parka for their US/UK 2012/2013 Quadrophenia tour and Roger Daltry often has parkas from us for his Teenage Cancer Trust charity efforts. We donate the parkas free of charge. We supplied Kate Moss with a parka for a Vogue photo too. I guess folks wouldn't realise the main supplier of fishtail parkas is in sleepy Shropshire"

Steve Ford opened Huckleberry's Menswear in Farmers Fold, Wolverhampton, 21 years ago. At 56, Steve grew up in the 60s with two older sisters, and so was exposed to the Mod style from an early age. He says: "Young lads are coming in now, school kids, asking for the Harrington jacket – it's our number one best seller. Fred Perry does very well and so do the parkas."

The wheels

Steve Ford of Huckleberry's Menwear, Wolverhampton, is a fan of the Mod mode of transport. He says: "People had scooters to get from one side of London to the other, where the scene was happening. If you went out on a scooter, you were guaranteed to take a bird home – especially if you had an SX200! It was like a Rolls Royce!"

Darren has a couple of scooters too. He says: "There is only one form of transport for any Mod and that's a Vespa or a Lambretta. However, it's not a necessity to be a Mod although it does make people's heads turn when you pull up at traffic lights. I have two scooters, one Vespa PX and the other is a 1968 Vespa although I would like to upgrade to a Vespa GS at some point.

"I'm not part of any scooter club. However, I join in a regular meet-up with mates at Coffee 212 in Wombourne, nicknamed Destination Anywhere. It's ride-outs are never really planned so it's fairly relaxed and it's nice not to have any particular club ties."