What is it like working with the others in the group?
Fun and challenging. We don’t practice before tours or shows so it is
always interesting to see what the other guys are bringing to the table.
Also, we not only tag team but play over the top of each other’s sets
in real time. This makes it especially challenging as DJs because you
have no idea what the guy next to you is going to incorporate into the
set. Keeps you on your toes and makes you work. When it all comes
together, it sounds good...then it makes it all worth it.
What are some of your favorite cities or countries to play in?
Los Angeles, Denver, New York City, Seattle, Dallas, Atlanta, Toronto,
and plenty more. I love playing in Holland, Japan, and South Africa
as well.
Who are your favorite producers today?
Phace, Misanthrop, Mefjus, UpBeats, Gridlok, Original Sin, Audio,
Mind Vortex, the list goes on.
How hard do you push yourself?
I want to be the best. Whatever that takes. I don’t cut corners.
How often do you tour?
Every week nonstop for over 17 years. On average, two shows a
week.
What would you be doing if you weren’t a DJ?
Cooking or involved in a restaurant somehow.
What are you listening to lately?
Lots of chill music and Indie Rock. My favorite album of last year was
Sway by the band, Whirr. Heavy, droning, and beautiful.
appointment with legendary artist, Carlos Torres, but it was worth it.
This is a black and grey piece which I call, “a death’s head kraken”.
There is a skull on my upper right arm that has octopus tentacles that
stretch across my chest and down my arm. It looks like some serious
dutch master oil painting.
On my back, is another early tattoo, this time from tribal legend, Leo
Muleta from Blackwave in Los Angeles. It was one of his original
dragon designs. It is well done and of the time period that I got it.
I also have some miscellaneous tattoos. I have the word,
“destroyer” on my right hand and a bone cross inspired by a
piece of jewelry from a company called Blood Moon on my
neck. These were also done by Jason June.
Do you have any plans to get more tattoos? If so, what
else do you plan on getting?
After I finish my left sleeve, I have been thinking about
what to get next. I want to fill in some space on my
right arm, so probably more work from Jason June
and hopefully a little more tentacle action from
Carlos Torres to round out his piece.
Why is body art important to you?
It is a constant visual reflection of personal
aesthetic. I love showing people what my
taste is like.
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What is your favorite album by another artist?
The new Phace album for Drum and Bass. I usually say my favorite
album of all time is Loveless by My Bloody Valentine. Lost Souls by
the Doves is also up there.
What’s next for you?
I’m kind of hitting a ceiling for what I can pull off in a DJ set. I am on
four decks now, with unplanned sets to make it interesting. I could
theoretically go to five decks but then a lot of nuance would be lost
and I would end up somewhat metal jerking myself off on stage while
no one in the crowd would even know what is going on. So right now,
I am going to focus on writing more music and branching off a bit
more into my food and cooking endeavors.
Explain the stories and history behind your tattoos.
On my left arm, I’m currently working on a full sleeve, courtesy of the
amazing artist, Dan Bones. It is originally inspired by a piece of work
by artist, Ryan Begley. My sleeve is now somewhat dungeons and
dragons and fantasy themed. It is an epic battle between snakes,
skulls, mutant ravens, wolves, and more, featuring a giant sword and
a twenty sided die. It also incorporates an earlier tattoo I got with the
words, “DISCIPLINE THROUGH PAIN.” I love it!
My first tattoo ever was on my upper right arm. It was the logo of the
Drum and Bass label, Metalheadz. It was a quickie done at some
shitty biker tattoo studio near Pittsburgh. Years later, I had it lasered
off to make room for a better tattoo. On my right forearm, I have a
piece done by a super awesome artist named, Jason June. It is a
design featuring a wooden staff, feather, and swords by a metal
artist from Italy named View from the Coffin.
My chest tattoo is my favorite. It took me two years to get the
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