Westword Music Showcase 2005

What albums had the biggest impact on you?

Raising Hell (Run-DMC); It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back (Public Enemy); Paid in Full (Eric. B & Rakim); and Straight Outta Compton(N.W.A.) really opened my eyes to the diverse, volatile, political nature of hip-hop and made me fall in love with the music. The Cactus Album (3rd Bass) was the first time I think I realized that white guys could have their own unique contributions to the culture. DJ-wise, the first time I ever was inspired to make a mix CD was after hearing one of Doo Wop and Tony Touch's tapes back in 1995.

Rose Hill Drive

Love .45

Related Content

• Top five weird food news stories from this week
  September 7, 2012
• Ten great albums recorded at Sound City Studios, the focus of Sound City
  January 29, 2013
• Meet Colorado's activist medics, a rogue band of good Samaritans
  April 19, 2012
• The ten most noteworthy music publicity stunts
  May 13, 2013
• Playing cover songs is a sign of creative fatigue
  February 20, 2013

More About

• Olsen Twins
• Mary-Kate Olsen
• Ashley Olsen
• Punk Rock
• Hip-Hop and Rap

What artists have had the biggest impact on you?

Run-DMC, Big Daddy Kane, Ice-T, Kool G. Rap, Boogie Down Productions, 3rd Bass, N.W.A., King Tee, Tha Alkaholiks, Showbiz & A.G., and the list goes on. If you were a rapper in the late '80s/early '90s, you impacted me more than you know. I miss the days when hip-hop was inherently self-righteous with a greater cause in mind. That time period in hip-hop really appealed to my bleeding-liberal sensibilities.

How do you pay the bills? What is your day job?

I'm a DJ -- that's it. I'm very lucky to be doing what I'm doing.

Finish this sentence: If I didn't have to worry about money, I'd...

DJ? I'm not sure that my lifestyle would be that much different, to be honest. A few more vacations and a little more time chasing the fairer sex around. Although I might get tired of that and wind up back deejaying again, when all was said and done.

Finish this sentence: I'd rather be...

In my basement, playing the "who has the most random old-school vinyl collection" game with Chonz, Petey and Psycho.

Who would play you in the screen adaptation of your life?

Ben Affleck. One of the bad pick-up lines I get is that I supposedly look like him. I don't really see it, but, hey, there are worse things to be called. As long as the Jennifers star as my romantic leads, it's all good.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

I see myself in the same industry, just moving into some of the more "corporate" types of jobs in my field.

What's the biggest misconception about you or your band?

Lately, I'm fighting the battle of being type-cast as a hip-hop DJ and nothing else, specifically in trying to land nightclub gigs. I'm perfectly capable of stepping in and spinning a Top 40, '80s or funk format, if that's what a club wants -- yet venues are scared of hiring guys that come with a reputation for appealing to an "urban" crowd. Basically, it's another form of systematic racism, but I'll save that rant for another day.

Give us a random factoid about yourself or your band:

I have a degree in music composition from Occidental College. I could knock out a dope piano sonata for you if I wasn't too busy organizing my records.

Elliott Smith or Jack Johnson?

Allow me to fess up to my cultural illiteracy: I have no idea who the hell either of those guys are.

Weezer or Winger?

Winger. Give me the hair band any day of the week.

Jay-Z or Z-Trip?

Hov. H to the O-V. I used to sell snowflakes by the O-Z.

Football or foosball?

Basketball, of the Nuggets variety.

Parting shot?

Radio Bums 2005, you fucking ho!!!

DJ BIG AL
NOMINATED IN DJ: DANCE -- CLUB/NON-TRADITIONAL
6:15 P.M., OUTDOOR STAGE

Website:www.myspace.com/offthewalldenver

Personnel:

Just me and my Bronski Beat records.

Native or transplant?

Transplant, from Virginia.

What's in a name?

It reflects my party-oriented nature.

When did you form/start performing?

2003, à la LOST LAKE.

Who or what do you think you sound like?

I sound like the inside of Rob Lowe's brain during the filming of St. Elmo's Fire.

What are some of your noteworthy recent feats?

I got a room full of people to dance to "9 to 5," by Dolly Parton.

What albums have had the biggest impact on you?

Upstairs at Eric's(Yaz); Xanadu (Electric Light Orchestra); and anything by Neil Hamburger.

What artists have had the biggest impact on you?

Man Ray, Mark Rothko, Lee, Jan Vermeer, Nikki Holder, Paul Klee.

How do you pay the bills? What is your day job?

I design low- mid-rise metal structures for one of the top metal building manufacturing corporations in America.

Finish this sentence: If I didn't have to worry about money, I'd...

Pay hippies to take a shower.

Finish this sentence: I'd rather be...

Watching The Littlest Groom.

Who would play you in the screen adaptation of your life?

Tori Spelling.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

My own "Man About Town" column in Westword.

What's the biggest misconception about you or your band?

That I don't like to party.

Give us a random factoid about yourself or your band:

I don't know how to DJ.

Elliott Smith or Jack Johnson?

Elliott Smith.

Weezer or Winger?

They BOTH SUCK.