| Q1 : How did you get your alias/rap name? |
| I always wanted to have a skillful, intense style so I started calling myself DJ Wreck for a while then I heard about Sir Reck from Def Wish so I decided to change it out of respect, a mate suggested Damage. That was 16 years ago, now there's a whole bunch of newjacks trying to call themselves "Damage". They need to learn some manners. |
| Q2 : What year did you first get into hip hop? |
| 1983 |
| Q3 : Who have been the major influences on your career to date and
how? (musical or other) |
| In terms of local, I'd say DJ Bribe aka Angus who was my mentor when I started out and the one who drilled into me that a real hip-hop DJ can scratch with both hands. Also, DJ Sheep who taught me how to juggle properly and kept me inspired when I felt like pursuing other life-interests. For overseas DJ's, I'd have to say Q-Bert, A-Trak, D-Styles and Scratch |
| Q4 : If you could perform or record with anyone dead or alive - who
would it be and why? |
| The JB's, performing a solo within that outfit over a live Clyde Stubblefield drumbreak on stage would be the ultimate for me. |
| Q5 : What countries and cities have you most enjoyed performing in?
Any interesting stories to tell? |
| Back in 2000, DJ Sheep and I played in London, Eindhoven and Berlin. The London gig was at The Social with Yoda and Plus One. Yoda turned to us half-way through his set and said "Watch this". He dropped 'Ante Up' and the following scene was the most raucous thing I've ever seen in a night club, people were jumping around going crazy everywhere. I was trying to film it and just about got knocked over standing next to the DJ booth. It was a similar dope vibe in Berlin as well, no dickhead gronks wanting to drink too much and start fights, just guys and girls wanting to go out and bounce around to good underground hip-hop. |
| Q6 : Across your career to date, what highlights will you hold onto
till you die? |
| In 2000, Sheep and I going Q-Berts house in San Francisco and spending the day scratching with him.
In 2001, performing a Q&A scratch set with A-Trak in Brisbane.
Winning a couple of categories at the 2006 Musicoz Awards with the Opees and getting to hang out with Kamahl.
I just got asked to DJ for Ben Watt's birthday at Keith Richard's house later this year. I imagine that's something I'll always remember too.. |
| Q7 : Vinyl and analog have played such a massive part of the
development of hip hop, how do you feel about the shift to digital? |
| It's kind of sad that research and beat-digging is giving way to mouse-clicking and downloading. Any kid who's been Djing for a few months now has access to deep crates but at the same time it raises the bar in terms of the standard you have to rise to when you do a live set. At the end of the day your an entertainer, people are paying money to see you perform and they deserve to see the best set you can deliver and hear the dopest tunes you've got access to. |
| Q8 : What advice do you have for young, aspiring artists
(MCs/DJs/Producers)? |
| The best advice I can give is for turntablists, find a good mentor who can give you a bit of guidance, collect as many good videos or dvds as you can and then practise every spare second. Also, forget about the gimmicks and don't bite other DJ's routines. For anyone making and or performing music I'd say learn as much as you can about sound engineering. It's always helpful to know what your talking about when you step into a studio or turn up to do a sound check. |
| Q9 : What one thing in your career you would most want to be
remembered for? |
| I don't think I've done it yet. If I had to say something it would probably be pioneering turntablism and Oz hip-hop in Brisbane although I respect those who went before me, props to Katch, Fib and Bribe. |
| Q10 : What other activities do you enjoy doing when you're not making
music, rehearsing or performing? |
| Juggling, playing chess and watching sport, especially boxing, cricket and the various oval-ball football codes. |
| Q11 : Why hip hop? |
| A lot of reasons, too numerous to mention here but it was B-Boying that got me into it and it's the music that keeps me there. |
