BAZZY B Q1: How long have you been involved in the drum and bass scene?
DJ PHEAR A1: I first got in to the drum n bass sounds in late '97, so I'm definitely a baby in the scene. Stuff like the MetalHeadz' "Platinum Breakz" album is what got me hooked right from the get go, especially Lemon D's "This is Los Angeles." It was a whole new style of disarraying elgenace that I was very welcome to hearing. I didn't actually start spinning records until late of '99, though. My good friend Blackass was the one who strongly influenced my desires to mix after watching him in our other friend Tony Alva's shop for so long. I would ask so many questions, he finally got sick of me asking and said, "Here, just try it!"
BAZZY B Q2: What was it that made you want to start Djing to Drum and Bass?
DJ PHEAR A2: Well originally I got into spinning hip hop upon moving back to my old neighborhood with my hip hop heads all around. I would still buy DnB records and play them once in a while, but mainly played underground hip hop at small house parties for friends n such. I finally hooked up with some DnB enthusiasts, and it was a straight green light form there.
BAZZY B Q3: You currently DJ all around the USA, what has been your best Gig and what has been your funniest memory behind the decks?
DJ PHEAR A3: I would have to say my favorite gigs are our own events that we host here in LA, known as L:A:B {Los:Angeles:Bass}. We're only two events deep, but both have been huge successes as far as the vibe goes. Last night was our second, and it consisted of an all female lineup in the main room, with a diverse collection in the second room, ranging from ragga to nu-skool breaks. It was intense. At times the 2nd room was going of harder than the main! Kids around these parts love that sound at times, and it was obvious they were fiending for it last night. Nothing beats a party where it seems that everyone is having a good time.
Funniest memory? That would have to be the time that I used to play at this local coffee house on a weekly basis. It was just funny being back behind the decks, playing some dark beats for people who sometimes had no idea what was going on. I would get some funny looks at times, and often get people coming up to me asking if I had any trance. They seemed to not like the sound, but at times i would catch them bobbing their heads, so subconsciously I knew I was getting to them. That place was just a comedical experience in itself. It was in Hollywood, and stayed open late, so you can imagine some of the freaks that would roam around at times. Strangers would walk in and start singing nonsense over the beats, right in front of me. I couldn't help but laugh.
BAZZY B Q4: What nights can people catch you doing?
DJ PHEAR A4: Right now I co-host an internet broadcast on www.vibeflow.com called Medium Radio along with my Section 09 collective partners- Kingpin, Cosmo Brown and John Dada Emcee. It airs from 8 till 10 PM (pst) and is based here in LA. We usually do tag team sets for an hour, then have our weekly guest come in and show us their styles. It's really a lot of fun. John really adds to the vibe of the show, getting the listeners as well as the DJ's hyped on playing in a small studio for only ourselves. Makes us feel like we're actually at a nice party or something.
Also, our events are planned at the moment to happen once every three months, so if scheduled, you can expect to see the next L:A:B in the summer sometime. We're planning the next one as we speak, so we'll see how it goes.
I'm also getting involved with my section 09 collective members, and we're planning an event for the summer as well, called "Essence." This event will continue the "Midnite Bombers" tradition here in LA, as that name has now been retired. They had many good events in the past, so it's good to be collaborating with them on this one. Details for this are still in the works, but are looking great.
Upcoming gigs can always be seen on my site if anyone cares to check em out, www.djphear.com/bookings.html
BAZZY B Q5: After Djing for so long now, will we it be soon before we see Phear move into production?
DJ PHEAR A5: I'd like to get into production, it just seems like the next step. John Dada Emcee, a section 09 reprasenta, is also trying to get a small label going called Imperial Recordings. He sends me tracks on the daily which is funny at times. I always try to tell him, "YO! Quality, not quantity!" He's a young kid who has much talent, and after he gets the true hang of this producing thing, I have no doubt he'll be known. He shows me bits and pieces of what he does, so that kind of helps. It seems that all collectives I am involved with have producers that are on the rise. Section 09, we've got Cosmo Brown who produces on the Lush Recordings label. Junglevoodoo, we've got Sharee (aka Scythian), Dr. Mario and DJ Random who all produce on the JungleVoodoo Recordings label. So my point is, I feed off of influences, and having this many around is bound to wear off on me somehow. Right now I just know my place as a DJ, though. My desire to play records strongly outweighs the desire to make beats at the moment, but I do feel the urge coming on in the near future.
BAZZY B Q6: Who has inspired you in the scene, and who is doing it for you at the moment?
DJ PHEAR A6: Overall, anyone who contributes to the scene inspires me. DJ's include Hive, who can absolutely do damage on the decks and of course Andy C (needs no explanation). Also, promoting crews such as Drum and Bassics, who have such a good following. This shows how much hard work and dedication they've put forth to bring the drum n bass scene to a higher level, making it better for all. Also, the JungleVoodoo Collective who I've always got a good vibe from. At the moment, my partner Kingpin really inspires me. We're both on the same page when it comes to mixing styles and programming. In our books, there is nothing better than getting two tracks to drop at the same time, which can bring a set to an absolute wicked climax if done correctly. So we'll sit in the studio late night at times and just throw down sets, playing with tracks to see what we can do, and broadcast it so anyone who may be interested in listening, can.
BAZZY B Q7: What do you think of us UK headz then? What is the difference in the divide?
DJ PHEAR A7: I really don't know what to make of this whole US/UK thing. I am part of the DnB Arena list which is a good way to get global opinions on DnB and every once in a while that topic comes up (it's inevitable I think). I really don't get too involved in it. The only thing I can base my opinion on is DJ styles, and it seems like everyone has their own style whether they be from the UK or the US. I always seem to hear negative things about the US coming out of the UK, though, and I don't understand why. I do notice that the UK may be a bit more forgiving on who is playing what and when.
BAZZY B Q8: How do you see Drum and Bass in the future?
DJ PHEAR A8: I see drum n bass evolving of course, but definitely not going away. I hear some people saying that Garage will take the place of DnB, which is an absolute garbage statement. In those words, they are making drum n bass out to be some sort of fad, as in the "in" thing. Now, if you did start only supporting the garage scene while you used to support the DnB, then yeah, it did replace your interest. Diversity is the key in everything. You can't stick to one style of anything, otherwise progression comes to a halt and the sound becomes stagnant. You look at DnB today, we've got incorporations of hardcore, trance, old skool, it's very diverse and I am really feeling that whole vibe. I also love the fact that the whole groovy bassline feel is coming back into play. The whole feel of Marcus Intalex is a great example. Styles like that can really add great moments to your set when timed right. I'm a sucker for female vocals anyhow, so hopefully we'll keep seeing more and more of those in the future. Also, after talking with Kingpin and throwing back and forth feedback on the progression of DnB, he made a lot of sense on one good point. The US is definitely on the come up. We've got plenty of great producers from across the land. Where as the UK has different sounds for different regions, so does the US and this will continue to thrive. You'll be able to hear different tracks, and not only know that it is from the US, but also if it is from New York or LA for instance. This is fairly evident now, but is sure to become more of a factor in the years to come. I also see more collaborations between US and UK producers coming up.
BAZZY B Q9: What can we expect from DJ Phear over the next year?
DJ PHEAR A9: Hopefully more travelling, more events, progression in my DJ'ing views, more good times, more connections, and maybe some producing???? In any case, you can check it all out on www.djphear.com.
BAZZY B: Ok, Phear. cheers for the interview mate and keep up the hard work!
DJ PHEAR: No probs, much respects to the BombSounds Crew and all those supporting the drum n bass culture!
