Brand new album from the Wall of Sound original
Words : Dan Prince
Welcome to DMCWORLD John, a brand new album coming out on Wall of Sound this week entitled ‘Piece Of Work’ which we shall come to later. But first let’s go back to your early days getting into music, most kids back then were either greasers or skinheads – you though sat somewhere in the middle though with your own musical tastes. Your clubbing experiences began in the early 80s, London was very different back then with the same ‘cool’ faces seen at the same places which were in vogue that particular week. What were some of the clubs you were going to back then?
“I used to go to The Language Lab which was at a place called Global Village which turned into the club Heaven. I think that was the first Hip Hop club in London. The Bat Cave at the Beat Route which played Goth, Industrial, Bowie also Cha Chas which was at Heaven on a Tuesday night and was a dressing up club where most of the people who would end up as Taboo regulars used to go, but that was more mid 80s, like you say, you generally saw the same people at every club and most things didn’t last too long.”
What are your thoughts on London’s club scene in 2013?
“It seems pretty boring and has generally being going on too long. But I’m sure there is something good going on somewhere. I just don’t know about it which is probably as it should be.”
After you recorded your last album you admitted that what you end up with is completely different to how you envisaged it before starting out. So did ‘Piece Of Work’ bear any resemblance to what you had in mind for your fourth album?
“I didn’t actually have a plan for this one which is just as well as it went on so long, it sort of evolved out of various projects that I had going on and didn’t really make much sense until one day of radical editing where it fell into place.”
Your third album featured some classic collabs including Afrika Bambaata, Roxante Shante, Marc Almond and Bobby Gillespie. This time PIG, Schooly D, Marco Pironio, Cleo Torrez, Rita Brown and Psychic TV’s Peter Christopherson feature on the album. Which one of these collabs with some likeminded artists of yours, were you especially pleased with the final product?
“Hard to choose as I like them all. But to get Schooly and Marco on the same track is pretty cool and obviously the one with Sleazy (Peter Christopherson) is special as he is no longer with us.”
So how long did it take to complete?
“Well some of the source material dates back to 1984 (Be Like Me Intro) so you could say that it has taken 30 years but realistically it only took 3 years which is ages by most peoples standards.”
Do you think this is your best work to date?
“That’s not for me to say, but normally I can’t listen to something for years after it’s finished, but I haven’t had that problem with this one which is probably due to last minute edits I did – but I still feel it could have been shorter.”
Have there been any artists you’ve wanted to pull into the studio for one of your long players that have so far been elusive?
“Where do I start? I would love to work with Rakim, Q Tip, Big Daddy Kane, Biz Markie, Shock G, EPMD and that’s just the rappers.”
You are DJing tonight at the Wall of Sound ‘Back To The Phuture’ party in south London…what is the current top 10 you are spinning…
1.Riton – Bang You’re Head
2.Eurocrats – Unite – Strip Steve Remix
3.Throbbing Gristle – Something Came Over Me – Mekon Remix
4.Booka Shade – Honeyslave – Matador Remix
5.Tracques – Click Track
6.Modek – Up With Me Shinichi Osawa Remix
7.Duke Dumont – Need You 100%
8.Boys Noize – Ich R U – Van She Tech Remix
9.Mekon – Bin Therre – Funklife Remix
10.Lifelike feat A-Trak- Dont Stop
Wall of Sound’s head honcho Mark Jones is thankfully still one of the most unique characters on the music scene. Hand on heart…what are your thoughts on his pink dress sense?
“It’s his only redeeming feature.”
Heh heh. Also on the bill are Skidoo 23 – what do you think it is about the ‘post punk’ sound that has made it such a long standing fixation?
“No idea why it still appeals so much now but am obviously glad it does. It’s probably due to the fact that it was underground at the time so there is still a lot for people to discover.”
First and last record bought?
“First was probably Ride A White Song and the last was Full Of Fire by The Knife.”
As the music industry shrinks, it becomes more adept at controlling what enters the mainstream. Discuss…
“Yup we are all dumbed down and doomed I’m afraid. But there is always good stuff out there if you’re prepared to dig around, you just have to accept that you probably can’t earn any money making experimental music.”
It may not be good for my image, but I really love…
“Lager.”
You have worked with some of the most influential cultural innovators of the last 25 years including Genesis.P.Orridge, Goldie, William Orbit and Alexander McQueen. Who’s talents and time have you enjoyed the most working with?
“Alexander McQueen.”
Everyone has one, what is your guilty pleasure record…?
“It used to be the Eagles but I managed to cure myself of that. It’s currently Status Quo – Down Down.”
And finally, you’re a Brighton boy but have been living in London for the past 25 years. How are you doing with that dream of yours to save up enough money and buy somewhere in the country?
“I went to the country and it was cold, so it’s back to Victoria Park for now.”
Mekon ‘Piece of Work’ on Wall of Sound is out now
