Named for a Soviet submachine gun the AK-47,and the one thing every DJ must own, the Technics SL-1200 turntable, AK 1200 is among the premier U.S. junglists. Although the U.K. born dance genre has enjoyed stateside success since its emergence in the early 90s. Dave Minner (AK 1200), is one of only a handful of American based DJs to pose any challenge to the domination of their British counterparts. With his diverse arsenal of bass-heavy rhythms, AK has created an accessible sound that has exposed drum & bass to a much wider audience.
Minners involvement with the drum & bass scene dates back to 1989 when he began spinning techno and electro in his hometown of Orlando, Florida. As the breakbeat sound began to evolve, he was at the forefront of the evolving breakbeat sound and continued to follow its development through its increasing tempos, culminating in the sound now known as jungle. AK nursed the scene through all of these changes, brewing his own tracks, remixing others and blending the genres frenetic beats and floor-shaking basslines in clubs up and down the East Coast.
Why did you get into DJing in the first place?
I just started going to clubs when I turned 18 and it just hit for me, you know what I mean? And Ive just always been musically inclined so I took up DJing early on. I started getting gis and Ive been doing it ever since.
Were you nervous before the release of your first album Fully Automatic? Did you think that it would be as successful as it was?
I wouldnt say I was nervous exactly, more so that I was naive, and didnt expect it to be such a big thing for my career.
You have been referred to as Americas original bad boy. Why is this?
I was the first one. nobody in America has been in Drum and Bass longer than me, pushing the music as long as I have. I got an early start by hooking up with all the UK guys straight away, and I was working with a magazine, US Rave, and was promoting the sound even back in early 91, and since it was so new, everyone who got US Rave, sort of looked to me for what records to hunt for. I was the closest link between the US djs who loved this "new" sound, and the UK guys who were making it, and I would have to say that no more than 10 or 15 DJs nationwide, were collectively responsible for making this music a permanent fixation in the USA.
Whats been you biggest gig that youve played at so far?
I played a Nocternal Wonderland in LA that was 60 000 people. I mean thats probably the biggest in numbers.
What other DJs or Producers do you admire?
Initially it would be Icey, Kimbal Collins, Danny Breaks, and Rob Playford. You know people like that.
Do you prepare what your gonna play before a set?
I have no idea what I am gonna play to tell ya the truth. Im on in half an hour and I have no idea what Im gonna play. I know what I am gonna start with but after that.. Once I feel what they feel off of the first record ill go from there and see what I should play.
Whats the best part about your job?
Feeling appreciated. Having people come up to me and say "I really, really feel waht you do and I want you to keep doing it." Stuff like that you know what I mean. Fan appreciation. If it werent for them then I wouldnt be doing this. I wouldnt be booked, Id be sitting at home bitching because Im not booked. Definetely the best part about being a DJ is affecting people.
What inspired you to go with the drum n bass sound?
I was with drum n bass before it was drum n bass you know what I mean. From the days when it was just hardcore, I was there. I followed it through every phase. To me its the only type of music that I really feel in tune with.
Do you like playing at clubs or bigger gigs like raves?
Well it depends. I like playing raves but I dont like playing super huge raves because 9 times out of 10 theres so much chaos going on behind the scenes that you can never really do what you need to do. It affects how you look to the crowd. If theres a bunch of shit thats not right, like with the sound or something like that and it causes trouble for you while youre playing. And the kids dont know that and they think its just you on an off night, you know what I mean? And clubs theyre like really vibey. Theyre small, roomy, and comfortable, and people are comfortable, its more intimate.
How long have you known Dieselboy and DJ Dara, and what is the story behind forming Planet of the Drums?
I have known of them much longer than I have actually known them. We would play the same shows every now and then and it was always a half hearted hello type of thing. we werent really friends, but were colleagues. I think though separately we each began talking to one another, and developed a proper friendship, and have now become very close friends. I would say they are each 2 of the best friends I have ever had in 30 years of living. We all have VERY different personalities, and I think we each benefit from each others differences. anyway, we were at a party one night, together, and Dieselboy said that it would be really cool if we all could do a tour together, just so we could all be at the same place, since usually no promoters would want to book us together since we were all headliners, and cost too much. so we went through the motions and created the planet of the drums, which is now approaching it s 3rd year of touring.
When you not DJing or producing. What do you do to relax?
I dont even know what relaxing is. Ive been in the studio non stop, every moment that Im not DJing Im in the studio. And thats it.
From your experience what advice could you offer to up and coming DJs?
Stick to your guns and stay positive about it. Dont talk shit about other DJs. And try and over step your way. You gotta earn your place and its a slow gradual process that you have to have patience for. I mean look, Im where I am now and Im 11 years deep but its just been the last 2 or 3 years that its been this good for me. And people come out now that are like 2 years into DJing and they start hating on me. And they think "I could be doing that shit" or "Im better than him". But they havent earned their way. You have to earn you way man, you have to get respect, you have to pay your dues to be at the top. Thats just the bottom line. If you have patience and you have motivation then youll get there.
Whats going to be your next release?
I am actually working on my first original album right now. Its coming out through a film company, a Paramount company called Lakeshore Entertainment. Im working on that right now and it should be coming out around February or March 2002. I just finished a remix of this rock band called the Kidney Thieves out of LA and that should be coming out pretty soon.
After all your success as a DJ, Producer, Remixer, and Promoter. Whats next for you?
Im not done yet, theres still a lot of DJing left in me, a few good remixes as well, and tons of production coming your way. I havent really taken this as far as it can go, and now is the time for that. after all that is over, I will be hoping to do more serious work, hopefully scoring film.
Website:
http://www.planetofthedrums.com/
Interview by: Graham Robinson
