Riddler
New Member
United Kingdom
31 posts
Joined: Jan, 2003
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 Posted - 2009/10/06 : 23:33:50
I thought now would be as good a time as ever, to ask a few questions to mainstay & popular figures in our scene, see what their angle is & what makes them tick.
DEVASTATE THE 2009 INTERVIEW / Q&As
Where did it all start for you?
in my bedroom in Widnes followed by my brother getting me some work at the Landmark alongside Dave Graham and Judda (my brothers mate), it all spiralled from the rave atmosphere as I was a staunch hip-hop only dj until then.
Where did the name come from?
From Dj Devastate of the Demon Boyz, it's my tribute to him, I have never been DJ Devastate, only ever deva but sometimes I was billed incorrectly on line-ups and labels.
What gave you the initial push?
Going to Club4 and seeing what my bro was talking about in about '88
Who would you say was putting on the best events at the moment?
Uprising is cool for its diversity, Rave ja Vu is taking it back to its roots giving the music room to regrow rather than stagnate, Hardcore underground again for pushing boundaries other promoters dare not try. The best for me though is Midge and Linda's Addiction and Weasels night as they get me up to Scotland to see the boys and have a right good giggle, something that seems to be missing at english raves, everyone is too busy taking it too seriously.
Which other countries have you played? Various states in the USA, Canada, Australia and a few places in Europe.
What was the first event you ever played?
We're going back to 1990 and the landmark Widnes but as a Hardcore Dj, I would have to say my sub residency for the GBH boys at Pawlett Manor holds great memories for me, great people, great dj's and that party atmosphere.
What’s the best event you’ve ever played?
TBH i'm not sure, I could spout off one of the big festivals I've done but I really love playing clubs, maybe Lakota, maybe Rush Hour, definately maybe any of the Scottish parties, i'm really not sure.
What was your first record you bought?
Theme from Ghostbusters, I had some records already from family and christmas but that was the first I dipped my hand in my pocket for.
Out of all the tunes you have, which one does the business every time?
jjjjiiieeeeehhhhhaaaaaaa
What's your favourite tune of all time, the ultimate classic?
jjjiiiieeeeehhhhhaaaaaaa, i mentioned that in Ruffmuff hehe, We'd like to return to the classics, perhaps the most classic in all the world of music. I love it going rave then bang. rave then bang.
And when all the partying is over, how do you like to relax?
Books and films
How is the scene in your eyes at the moment?
Difficult one that, do or die question, the problem for me these days if you tell the truth you are made out to be a hater and never get anymore work but stuff it. The scene is cool for top boys plenty of work, cool for new starters, lots of small local events. Middle tier... totally messed up, the middle tier effectively no longer exists, promoters book big boys (expensive) and locals (pence) job done. This could have a major impact on the scene to come or maybe none but it certainly doesn't make people want to stay as hardcore jocks, whats the point of slogging your guts out for a scene that will drop you the instant it thinks you are too expensive (I sometimes think about £50 is the cut off now) and it really pees me off that a promoter will bump their residents in order to pay the big boy full money, some lads are there for £20 and don't get it so dj £500 can go home with a smile. Messed up just messed up.
How big is your vinyl collection? What is your opinion on CDJ's? (the pros & cons)
About 1000 records maybe less, I gave loads of mine away to friends as I believe records are there to be played, if I got sent a record I wouldn't play I generally gave it to someone who would so about half of my records are hip hop and the rest a mish mash of varying styles but my oldskool bouncy and gabba are kept safe.
The funniest thing that ever happened at an event?
DJ Inky getting a bj backstage at Pawlett manor hahahaha
Other DJs you rate?
Marc Smith I feel he hasn't chnged his mindset from day1 and although his music is not quite the same as it was, that is more to working with other producers than tailoring his style for bookings.
Scott Brown, when other djs were putting up their money at the start of this recession he said no and his standpoints have ended up with him having less work, that's integrity.
Who is/are your biggest musical influences in the world of music & why?
Public enemy hands down, their use of noise, fantastic. Patrick Van Kerckhoven, the best hardcore ever.
What are your feelings on the MC's?
Northern mcs are much maligned by people out of the area but here the dj is unimportant, people ome to see them. Up north our mcs are imperrative to the scene.
Hardcore Mc's in general get the crowd going but it'd be cool if they did a bit more crowd hyping, they seem to do loads of lyrics these days, which is cool but hardcore is not instrumental so its not imperative. Good ones though are Casper and Whizzkid for me on the southern tip and ELL, Domer and Freestyle in the north.
What do you do outside of the dance music scene?
I'm a self employed computer techie and run the studio
What advice would you give to up and coming DJs/Mc's/Promoters?
Get stuck in but do not limit yourself to hardcore unless you are the next Gammer/Joey Riot/Kurt because it is hard to make it. If you are from the northeast harder still but if you keep it fun and love the music, that should be enough I never came into this scene to become a star I did it for fun and the bookings followed.
For new promoters, try something different, it's boring seeing the same people playing the same music over and over but then again maybe i'm old and that is what hardcore has become??????
If you could stage an event anywhere, where would you choose?
Amsterdam because people still like music rather than brands over there.
How do you see the scene 5 years from now?
Without me haha, I'll be 41 and producing other music and making money hehe
If you had a time machine what year would you go back to and why?
1990, true raves and music that will always be memorable to me.
Any shouts you would like to make?
Nope, my mates know I love them and do not need an ego rub to make them feel better.
quote:
as an addition, i'm sorry if my interview does not have the comedy of some of my older ones and if it seems I think hardcore is completely messed up but it is possible to have a thriving scene again if people remembered it's all about the music and went to parties for the laugh rather than to see the headliner, there are some amazing dj's and mc's out there, check the back rooms as this is where it is all happening, the front rooms are played out nowadays .
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Edited by - Triquatra on 2009/10/07 07:34:41 |
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