The Rocks Off 200: DJ Twinkle-Toes, Won a "Dick-Measuring Vinyl Orgy" With Two iPods

Welcome to The Rocks Off 200, our portrait gallery of the most compelling profiles and personalities in the far-flung Houston music community — a lot more than just musicians, but of course they’re in there too. See previous entries in the Rocks Off 100 at this link.

Who? Rogelio Gutierrez Jr is known throughout Houston’s vintage art and rockabilly scene as DJ Twinkle-Toes (or Browncoat), born and raised on the city’s southeast side of Houston. We’ll allow him to elaborate:

Living outside the Loop gave me a great appreciation for all genres of music. I discovered punk rock through my cool cousin Mario, and it opened up my world and blew up my mind! My first show at around 15-16 years old was Morrissey at the Summit in 1992 for the “Your Arsenal” Tour.

It was there that I saw the opening act Gallon Drunk, who had a swampy, rockabilly sound. After that, I knew that a pomade soaked pompadour, leather jacket, and cuffed Levis was going to be my uniform for the rest of my life!

I attended many punk-rock and ska shows growing up, as well as the scarce rockabilly show. It was at an infectious Grooves show at Numbers where I met my long-lost rockabilly brother, Big E. He started doing shows all around town and bringing all the finest rockabilly bands from all over the country down to H-town.

He got me into DJing a few years back. He pushed me to keep the fire going and I haven’t stopped since. My wife and I also have our own production team perfectly named Team RoMel Productions, and have been putting on shows a little over two years now. Rockabilly music is my heart, but I love all music in general and it reflects in my sets!

Home Base? You can catch Twinkle Toes at his second home the Continental Club or on the patio of its tiki bar The Pachinko Hut. Twinkle-Toes also works a lot car shows and swap meets, as well as the many vintage pop-up events happening around town. He also showcases his visual artwork and provides the soundtrack for shows at the East End Studio Gallery.

Why Do You Stay In Houston? Because ‘Fuck You Houston’s Awesome,’ that’s why!” he says. “It’s a big city with so much diversity, we don’t need to be kept weird or quirky ’cause we’re already fucking awesome!

More with Twinkle-Toes on the next page.

Good War Story: “I did a show once and all I had was a dual iPod mixer at the time,” recounts Twinkle Toes. “I walked into a serious dick-measuring vinyl orgy… basically I was almost crucified for even attempting to use two iPods for a huge show like this.

“So, I’m hanging out, the club is packed, but not one body was moving,” he goes on. “Three hours in and it’s dying, so 11:30 p.m. rolls up. I’m up with my little iPods, but I’m dressed sharp and my confidence is high. First song in and people are moving! After that I felt that wave and then I killed it! I had someone tell me that I saved his night and that he was about to leave if I didn’t play something cool!

“The lesson here is: don’t let anyone tell you you don’t know shit or that you aren’t a ‘real DJ’ because you use an iPod or a laptop or a fucking reel-to-reel!” he says. “Music is art, and it comes in many forms. It drives us and moves us and makes us sad/angry/happy.”

Music Scene Pet Peeve: “Drama and people that complain about nothing going on around town,” he says. “Get off Facebook and live real life!!!!”

Five Records You Can’t Live Without:

The Modern Don Juans, Self Titled
The Bellfuries, Just Plain Lonesome
Ramones, “Every record”
Nick Curran, “Every record”
NOFX, Punk In Drublic

Best Show Ever: Laurel Aitken at Fitzgerald’s,” Twinkle Toes says of the late ska immortal. “I can’t remember the date cause we partied that hard, so that’s proof it was that good. Rudies, skinheads and greasers all in one room, all dancing and lots of flying beer! Nuff said!”

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