Dominic B gets out of the bath with his plastic ducks to speak to DMC
Geez, Dom, a real busy period coming up for you with the festival period approaching. So you obviously needed a wash to get ready, nice of you to get out of the bath to speak to us, where have you been recently on tour?
“Hi Dan. Just got back from the ‘Starscape Festival in Baltimore, America. An unbelievable event. Five areas of music, stupendous light, amazing live art wall through local artists – my mates such as Matt Cantor and Ralph Lawson ripping it up. Ten acres of beautiful parkland sprawling the base of the Key Bridge, breakbeat dancers, freestyler rappers and a beautiful beach area, forest and grassy slopes to watch the sunrise come up…”
Let’s go back, two young kids aspiring to be DJs and producers on the world wide stage, tell us all about, firstly, how the hell you came about your stage name?
“Ha. Well there are a couple of reasons why people think we are called the Stanton Warriors. So let’s put this to rest once and for all Dan. Our Studio Engineer tripped over a mancover and cut his knee – the make of the man cover was called Stanton Warrior. We thought this was the perfect entrance to the underground, how much more street can you get? The press picked up on it and off we went…”
You grew up in the Bristol area, a very strong music part of the world – Portishead, Tricky, Massive Attack to name but a few…did any of these artists make any impression on you?
“Well Portishead weren’t really in the area. I used to work at Fat Rat Records which was huge in Bristol and opened a lot of doors. Bristol has a street culture, a very, very rebellious culture sinking into the likes of anything from Punk, Drum N’ Bass, Reggae to Hip Hop. Loads of really amazing and credible sound systems – it wasn’t a case of particular artists – the whole city was just alight back then, still is. Bristol just sucks you in musically…”
The DMC World Mixing Finals are swinging by soon, what Turntablist stars have you rated over the years?
“DJ Noise 1996 blew my pants off. Q Bert though, yo bro – incredible.”
What are the two big two tunes placing the trainers and heels on your dancefloors?
“Have you heard the Bang remix of Rye Rye featuring M.I.A.?” Offthefuckinghook.”
Best club and also, best festival you have ever played at – UK and worldwide?
“Real difficult question, Zouk in Singapore if pushed. Festival, are you joking? Burning Man, except for the girls with hairy armpits?”
What is the worst club you have ever played at?
“Oh, easy, this party in St Pauls in Bristol. Guns, knives, freebasing…out of there soon as…”
What one producer or solo artist would you like to get in the studio with?
“Big Daddy Kane and Dr Dre.”
Your ‘Stanton Sessions’ album that was scooped up by XL Recordings in 2001 and saw off competition from Fatboy Slim and Deep Dish to grab the Best Album Award at The Dance Star Awards and then the Muzik Mag gong – it also featured in the best Mixmag Top 50 Best Compilation Albums ever- do tributes like this mean anything to you in the world of credible dance music – or is just part of the day job?
“Well it’s nice Dan, let’s be fair. But we’re part of the underground, we do our own thing – we are not into magazine covers and awards, it’s all about the music.”
Best DJ ever?
“Well I could be silly here. I could be honest and say Jimmy Saville. Or remain true to my roots and say New York god Tony Humphries. “
You have worked with some incredible vocal artists – Big Daddy Kane, Twista and The Beatnuts – who has been the best?
“Great question Dan. Wow. You know, just because of how quick he rapped, his lyrics spun so fast, Twista just shit on everyone.”
What festival are you most looking forward to this summer?
“One word. Glastonbury.”
You have remixed the likes of Basement Jaxx, Fatboy Slim, The Streets, Mylo, Tim Deluxe, The Chemical Brothers and Digitalism – what has been your proudest moment behind the studio decks?
I think impact Gorillaz ‘Feel Good’
“It’s not a bad list and we’re really proud of who we’ve worked with, but the stuff we’ve had the chance to put our sound on a major artist’s work has to be Gorillaz. So thankful Damon and your band.”
What’s next from the Stantons…?
“We are in the middle of a new album…keep ’em coming!!
Catch The Stanton Warriors at GlobalGathering on 24-25th July, Long Marston Airfield – Stratford Upon Avon
For more information visit: www.globalgathering.co.uk
24hr ticket hotline: 0844 847 1551
