Bangers & Mash
Just for the record, why the name 'Bangers & Mash'?
I did my first ever bootleg with my friend George. Thinking we'd be doing lots of boots together in the future, we came up with the name Bangers & Mash. He got bangers because I was mashed when doing it. I've thought of changing it, but it's stuck.
What are you up to these days?
I'm just doing my boots really, & looking at buying a USB keyboard so I can do more remixes. During the day I''m a freelance art director.
What, if push comes to shove, is the one album that changed your life?
The 1st one that came to mind was Prince 1999. It was a double album with what seemed like extended versions of all the songs. I was in high school, had my first girlfriend...those were good years. But when I was just a few years old, I used to love listening to Nilsson Schmilsson . On the cover his thumb was on fire.
Do you still remember what's the first record you ever bought? Where did you buy it?
It was a 12" by Sly Fox called "Let's Go All The Way". I think I bought it at Brashes.
Which artist, other than yourself, have you ever wanted to be?
Leonardo Da Vinci. Nope, no one really...hang on, George Benson!
You've done DJing work for the likes of Elle Macpherson & Prince etc. Out of everyone you've worked with, who is the biggest pain & who's the best to work with? Tell us some stories please!
I don't really remember anyone being a real pain... Probably due to all the vodka, but I DJ-ed a DMC final back in the mid 90s that ended in a riot. Bottles were being thrown everywhere, the club was trashed & my mate got sucker punched. Someone's crate got stolen. It was so bad even the security guards left the building. We spent most of it hiding behind the DJ booth, & were told to go home in case they came back.
The best people I've worked with were my 2 friends who I DJ-ed with regularly for 4 years. We'd bounce off each other, cover each other for bar & toilet breaks, & get each other jobs in various clubs.
What is the most embarrassing or bizarre thing that have ever happened to you when you're manning the decks?
Bizarre: I used to DJ by candle light at a club in Kings Cross called The Cauldron. One night a Greek girl backed up to the booth & her hair went up in flames. I grabbed a record & preceded to smack her across the back of her head with it. Funny thing was, she didn't know her hair was on fire at first.
Embarrassing: Having to mix while the lighting guy shags some girl right behind me in the DJ booth.
The last of Bangers & Mash:
Last CD you bought (or downloaded) = Parkspliced
Last movie you watched that's crap = Some movie about giant slugs with sharp teeth that come out of your ass.
Last book you read that's a waste of time = Ralph (I know, it's a magazine).
Last concert you watched that was awesome = Bluesfest in Byron Bay that had James Brown & Solomon Burke.
Last bootleg you heard that rocked your world = "Jet - The DC10 Experience" by Cube G
In your opinion, what is the ONE bootleg that is considered the greatest of all time?
"Safari Love" by Loo & Placido
What is the best boot you've ever done?
I think "Romeo Highway" is the best so far...
Any boots you wished you've done but didn't?
Anything by Go Home Productions & Loo & Placido.
Mash-ups: Are they the New Rock N' Roll or just Geek Music? Discuss...
Mash-ups are more punk. They are a driving underground force that will only occasionally see radio play or release, but as more people become aware of bootlegs, club nights will become more popular. When big record companies realise the unlimited potential of re-releasing their back catalogues as instrumentals & acapellas & understand the great distribution highway that is the Internet, maybe we'll see it become the new rock'n'roll.
Which bootlegger deserves a smack in the mouth & why?
Anyone who claims another person's boot as their own.
Let's play word association. We mention a name & you give us your thoughts...
Boom Selection = 1st stop for beginner bootleggers.
Dsico = Angst-ridden uni student producing interesting audio art.
McSleazy = The Captain
Loo & Placido = My heroes
Jet = Who? The band? They're cool.
Hillsong = Who?
Mark Vidler = Quality
Australian Madonna Show = Sexy girls & dark nightclubs
Soulwax = Amazing, smart.
Christina Aguilera = Wanna get dirrrty
Which decade do you consider the 'golden era' of music & why?
Gotta be the 70s. Disco fever, rare grooves, free sex, new drugs and sex.
What do you remember about the following years:
1984 = The Eurythmics
1986 = Sex & plenty of it
1990 = My 21st birthday
1997 = Finishing DJing & getting a full time job.
2003 = Going to lots of good outdoor day concerts.
What's your favourite Saturday night record?
De La Soul "A Rollerskating Jam Named Saturday".
And your Sunday morning one?
I assume we're talking early Sunday morning! Lewis Taylor's self titled debut.
Do you still see yourself doing bootlegs, let's say, in ten years time?
Could well be, but hopefully I'll be working in a slightly different capacity, say producing.
What do you think the future for bootlegs / mash-ups / remixes
would be like, given that being a home musician is so easy these days?
The future looks very bright. All we need is to spread the word. I've introduced bootlegs to lots of people. Some people hate them, most people love them. A few have started doing them themselves, others have started to listen out for new ones on the radio and Internet. I imagine bootlegs will become another accepted music 'style' in the next 5 years.
Some Bangers & Mash boots:
1. Time Is Now Extended (Moloko vs Manfred Mann vs The Jungle Brothers)
2. F**k Me Come Back (Princess Superstar vs Player)
3. Romeo Highway (Basement Jaxx vs America) [OFFLINE]
You can also visit the website here.
