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THE RATPACK |
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Here we interview the best known old skool DJs of all time..
14/06/04
Q1. What are your real names?
A1. Mark & Evenson Allen
Q2. Why did you call yourselves the rat pack?
A2. After the real Ratpack, (Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis jnr & Peter Lawson), because they were always entertaining plus it's a really cool name!
Q3. When did you start DJing?
A3. Evenson started MCing in 1988 when acid house really took off but he started DJing way back in around 1979, I (Lipmaster Mark) started DJing around 1986 DJing hiphop then moving onto acid house.
Q4. Have you always played together?
A4. No not in the beginning, Evenson used to play for Locomotion sound system I (Mark) used to beatbox over his set! When Locomotion shut down we formed the RATPACK in early 87 and started getting our first bookings in early 88.
Q5. What music do you play now?
A5. Old skool and break beat/nu skool, we are doing a tour of Italy which is going to be pure breakbeat/nu skool
Q6. What is your favourite style of music to play?
A6. Breakbeat, but only because it's something new, it also depends on the situation.
Q7. Why have you stuck to old skool when most others have gone either into hardcore, DnB, garage, house etc.?
A7. Because we always loved the sound and didn't like the faster/darker side .
Q8. You’ve got to be one of the best known DJ/MC acts in the business was it hard getting there?
A8. It wasn't that hard because we love doing it, basically what you put in you get back out so there was lot's of hard work but enjoyable hard work.
Q9. Do you ever argue, if so what about?
A9. All the time, no not really, just about silly things really but there more debates than arguments.
Q10. What do you think of the scene at the moment?
A10. Reminds me (Mark) of the old days, it's also good to see so many new branches of the tree sprout new fruit. It's good to see so many people still so involved in the scene.
Q11. Do you see it getting any better? (or worse)
A11. I think it will be interesting! It's surely got to get better with so many minds going in to it.
Q12. Where do you see yourself in several years?
A12. Definitely still in the music business , I've learnt to live for the day and look too the future.
Q13. Have you got any other projects on the go at the moment?
A13. We have got loads on at the moment, we've just released 'THE HISTORY' CD, we are also working on a new chillout CD called 'RAT ARSED', we have also just started our own merchandise including t-shirts, sweatshirts which are all available at www.ratpackmusic.net . We are also very busy playing out not only at clubs in England but also in country's such as Poland, Ibiza, and Italy.
Q14. What is your favourite tune you’ve ever made and why?
A14. My (Mark) Favorite tune has never been released, it's a different style of music and people might say we've changed our ways so it was never released but it will be on our new album. My favorite released tune has got to be 'CLIPPER - BONUS MIX' it's a tune that always makes me smile and whenever I listen to it I think "I made that tune".
Q15. What is your favourite tune of all time (not including your own)?
A15. There is a huge range of favorite tunes ranging from classical to punk rock but my all-time rave tune is 'BELLFAST' by Orbital which has been my favorite since day 1, the whole tune does it for me.
Q16. Have you ever played a tune at a rave that you have regretted afterwards?
A16. We've played a couple of dub plates that we've made and afterwards thought "oh shit that sounded crap"
Q17. What events in the UK are you playing at, at the moment?
A17. Global Gathering, Raindance, Moondance, Innovation, as well as local clubs
Q18. Where is your favourite club/rave at the moment and of all time?
A18. Fabric True Players night is always good. as for all time favorite there's loads but Camden Palace, World Dance at Lydd and Fantasia all come to mind.. Basically wherever the people are up for it most are the best places play at.
Q19. What foreign country is best to play in?
A19. All are interesting but never had a reception like we had when we went to Poland, they jumped off the floor when they saw us and started chanting "RATPACK". They all moved aside and made a gang way for us to walk down, we were like war heroes or as if we had just lifted the world cup for them.
Q20. What was your favourite year of raving?
A20. Always liked 88 and 92, since then have enjoyed them all.
Q21. What advice would you give to any up & coming DJs out there who want to make it big?
A21. Stick to your own job and leave it to us.. LOL only joking. Love what you do, don't ever do it for the money. Always believe in what you do, remember people will always slag you off at some point but never give up. Always be nice and polite and always remember your fans.
Q22. What made you decide to bring out a CD of your greatest hits?
A22. We used to do represses of our tunes but not everyone has got decks, every time we were out playing people would ask when we are bringing out a CD with the tunes on so we did.
Q23. If the rave scene never happened what else would you have done for a job?
A23. Definitely still would have been involved in the music industry some how, probably producing music.
Q24. Any shouts going out to anyone?
A24. Oscar & Anne @ Rumour Records, Massive, MC Magika, Alex and the Illusion crew from Stoke, all the Onelove Crew.
Our thanks go out to THE RATPACK for this interview. ; )
For info on the RATPACKS new double CD then please click here
To visit the RATPACKS website click here
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ONELOVE PROMOTIONS
