Scratch my record and I’ll scratch yours!
Reported by taktikal london
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Submitted 26-04-06 20:07
Judging by the title of this feature you’d be forgiven for thinking that its some perverted piece about sexual favours in the music industry — well unless scratch DJ Hypnosis and his A.L.I.V.E. comrades are ‘closer’ than we all thought — but sadly its not.
A.L.I.V.E. PA has been one of the revelations in the hard dance industry these past 12 months. Most people reading this will have heard or experienced its unpredictable format under the guiding hand of its creator, Greg Brookman. But his story has been told well and his abilities will mean that it will be told again, many times over. We’re here for a different reason.
The driving force of A.L.I.V.E. is bringing a unique and inspirationally formatted performance into the dance industry. In constant search of this innovation, Brookman has looked past his own abilities to other artists to add that extra ‘wow’ factor to each performance. One of these ‘wows’ has come in the form of scratch-spinner DJ Hypnosis. A scratch DJ born from hard dance, prior to A.L.I.V.E. Hypnosis was well known in the London underground scene for blasting his hard trance sound across the capital at a range of events.
In October 2005 he was asked by an old friend [Greg Brookman] if he would be interested in doing a bit of scratching at a small live PA he was going to perform at Wildchild’s birthday at SEOne. 6 months, 1 tidy Weekender, 1 Hard House Academy, 1 police drugs raid, 1 light sabre battle and 1 falling off the stage later and DJ Hypnosis is now Brookman’s premier special guest in A.L.I.V.E.. As the scintillating PA prepares to meet on the battlefield — at Supernova (Frantic vs. Heat) in late May — we hip-hopped our way over to Hypnosis crib and hung with this bad self to ask him if he’s still alive & kickin! Well, not exactly but we hope you appreciate the sentiment!
You’re not just a scratch dj but also a hard dance dj — how does the marriage of hip-hop and hard dance work then?
DJ Hypnosis: It seems to work quite well so far. Kutski takes it a bit further that me and I think he can do a few more tricks than I’m capable of at the moment. I’m still just a DJ, not a turntablest, but I’ve got much more to learn yet.
Jim fixed it for DJ Hypnosis
Since joining A.L.I.V.E. you’ve performed alongside Greg Brookman on stages such as Hard House Academy & the Tidy Weekender. Is it still nerve racking knowing that the spotlight is on you with several thousand people watching and listening to you?
DJH: Just a bit! Most of it is focused on Greg as it is his PA after all, but it’s still nerve racking seeing several thousand people in front of you!
Unfortunately the last time you were at Brixton Academy you played quite early. This time you are playing later in the night to a hopefully packed out main arena — have you ever seen the main arena when it’s at 3.5k capacity?
DJH: I have indeed but never played to that crowd so it should be quite an experience. I’d love to do a dj set on the main stage.
How did you first get into scratching?
DJH: I first started scratching over hardcore with the likes of Sy playing when I got into djing and adapted over the years to music I play now.
Hypnosis: ‘Give me an H, give me a...’
If there are any budding scratch djs reading this — what is the best technical tip you could give them?
DJH: Start small then practice, practice, practice!!
Do you see yourself as a scratch dj who also plays hard dance or a hard dance dj that can scratch?
DJH: A hard dance DJ that can scratch. The music comes first for me, scratching is just an extension of my djing.
When your joining A.L.I.V.E. you always use a Pioneer CDJ 1000. Do you prefer this over a turntable and if so why?
DJH: I use the CDJ because there’s no chance of it jumping while scratching. I still prefer the feel of vinyl though and to be honest I’m probably quicker on a turntable.
Every scratch DJ has a favourite track that they scratch off — what’s your weapon of choice?
DJH: DJ Rectangle ‘Battle Vinyls’ without a doubt!
A.L.I.V.E.: Greg Brookman [left] and DJ Hypnosis [right]]
Mr Brookman is renowned for being unpredictable and a prankster. Have you been on the receiving end of his sense of humour recently?
DJH: I’ve know Greg for a long time and seen a lot of the shit he gets up to! Fortunately I haven’t been on the receiving end of the major pranks! We managed to smash some lampshades in a recent light sabre battle that took place!
Imagine this picture: you’re playing in the main arena of a huge hard dance event. You’ve finished the set on a huge high. The crowd is loving it and you’ve just received a standing ovation with all eyes on you. You go to exit the stage and you trip over the side monitor and almost land on your arse in front of the whole arena — hypothetically, how embarrassed would you be?
DJH: *cough* Hypothetically I’d be pretty embarrassed, hypothetically of course…
[Editor’s Note: Hypothetical my arse! Hard House Academy vs. HQ, Feb 2006… at about 10.30pm!]
Hypnosis: ‘Allen & Heath... hmmmmm’
Although you were present at the very first A.L.I.V.E. performance, it started out as a focus on Brookman and his productions. A.L.I.V.E. has since evolved into an umbrella group under which all the artists are established in their own right but combine for A.L.I.V.E. You’ve recently added another member to the A.L.I.V.E. family in rock guitarist Nick Sagar-House. He’s brand spanking new to the hard dance scene — what are your thoughts on him?
DJH: Nick’s great and a top lad. He’s got a lot of enthusiasm and is wicked on the guitar, but don’t take my word for it, you’ll see that for yourself soon enough!
Supernova is the long over due return leg of Frantic vs. Heat. In London they don’t come much bigger! Will you be leaning more towards Heat or Frantic?
DJH: It’s a tough choice because I love both events and the musical styles they bring. Can’t really pick one or the other mate!
You were a first hand witness of the internationally publicised drugs raid on the Fridge in April. What’s your lasting impression from that night?
DJH: I’m glad I don’t do drugs!!!
Supernova: Heat vs. Frantic
We know that there were some complicated plans for the A.L.I.V.E. show that night, which obviously have to be scrapped due to the police intervention. Are we now going to see these plans at Supernova or have they now been shelved?
DJH: Yeah we’ll bring across a few things from that night that we really wanted to do as well as new stuff, especially for Supernova, so it should be an interesting mixture of tracks and tricks.
DJ Craze
Final question: DJ Craze or Eddie Halliwell?
DJH: Craze would eat Halliwell alive (sorry Eddie!)
Photos courtesy of DJ Hypnosis. DJ Craze appears courtesy of www.theage.com. Not to be reproduced without permission.
HeatUK & Frantic present Supernova
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On:
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Saturday 27th May 2006
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At:
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Brixton Academy [map]
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From:
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2000-0600
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Cost:
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Limited Early Bird Tickets £15+BF ON SALE NOW
Saver Tickets £18+BF
Standard Tickets £23+BF
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Website:
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www.franticdsi.com
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Ticket Info:
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VERY Limited £15+BF Early Bird Tickets on sale Monday 6th March.
We expect all Early Bird Tickets to sell out within 7 days!
Standard Tickets £23+BF
Call Ticketweb on 08700 600 100
or book online at...
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Buy Online:
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Click here to buy tickets
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More:
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After nearly 4 years since their last joint event, Heat and Frantic are teaming up for ONE NIGHT ONLY! This isn’t just big – this is SUPERNOVA!
The two biggest and most respected Hard House and Trance promotions in the country are teaming up for the party to end all parties. This is the stuff dreams are made of! Over the last 5 years Heat and Frantic have changed the way London parties. They have staged immensely successful festivals, broken new venues, new DJs, new Live Acts, new trends, and have travelled half the known universe to put on parties that you will still be telling your grandchildren about in 50 years time!
Now we have joined together to create the ultimate Hard House, Trance and Hardcore Gathering! With 4500 Clubbers, 50 DJs and Live PAs and 4 sensational arenas this is the be all and end all of superior Hard clubbing!
This is the biggest head-to-head club battle London has ever seen. It’s the official kick-off to Summer 2006, and it’s taking place on a Bank Holiday – meaning you can party twice as hard!
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