Mix Master Mike: Hello, ask away!
Mix Master Mike: The trip has been off the hook so far, both shows were amazing and I’m looking forward to Melbourne tomorrow night.
Kittins Sister: Is it stressful competing in competitions like the DMCs and ITFs?
Mix Master Mike: Of course it is, because you spend months and months practicing. Competing, you’re putting your soul on the line. I was fortunate enough to come out on top 3 times.
Junior: Do you still see much of what the other guys from the Invisbl Skratch Pikilz are doing nowadays?
Mix Master Mike: Oh definitely. I keep in contact with Q-Bert, more with him than the rest of the guys. We all pursued our solo careers and it’s going lovely.
Junior: Do you really believe in aliens? Have you had any close encounters?
Mix Master Mike: Lately? I have close encounters every day! I am a close encounter!
Kittins Sister: You use the turntables as an instrument in their own right when on stage. What do you think of DJs who just mix and don’t scratch or do any tricks?
Mix Master Mike: I don’t really think anything. There are DJs who are capable of doing certain things, for me they are a percussive instrument, for others they just spin records. Whatever floats your boat.
candyman: Hi Mike, for some of those that don’t know what kind of music play… what can we expect to hear from you on Saturday night at Home? And what is your favourite club drink?
Mix Master Mike: Pretend like you’re going to come to a buffet. A buffet with lots to eat and digest. Come on an empty stomach and you’ll leave really full and satisfied. My favourite drink – I would say mystic juice.
Kittins Sister: How old were you when you realised you wanted to be a DJ professionally?
Mix Master Mike: I was 17 or 18.
mckinnel: How do we get a hold of your new CD?
Mix Master Mike: You pick it up at a record store, or on my website.
Junior: Is Q-Bert really as good as everyone says?
Mix Master Mike: Umm of course! Oh yeah.
Kittins Sister: How much of your performances are predetermined and how much do you do on the fly?
Mix Master Mike: About half and half. 50% improvisational, the other 50% is stuff I’ve learnt over the years. It’s all about remembering and executing.
Junior: If you had to pick one move that was the ‘definitive Mix Master Mike move’, what would it be?
Mix Master Mike: I guess it would be the alpha centurion scratch. It’s 5 clicks up, 5 clicks down, 2 across and 36 diagonal.
Kittins Sister: How did you find the Big Day Out earlier this year? It must have been pretty wild DJing in front of that many people on the mainstage for each of the festival dates.
Mix Master Mike: It’s amazing to communicate to that wide of an audience. It’s powerful, there was a lot of energy and it was really inspiring.
Junior: Do you think that the future of the art of scratching will be affected by the demise of vinyl or do you think that CD mixers will fill in where traditional turntables left off?
Mix Master Mike: Not at all! As long as there’s the real DJs there to keep it alive. The imposters will kill themselves – they will reap their own demise!
mr shay: In the ISP you were nicknamed Obi-Wan and Q-Bert Yoda – bit of a Star Wars fan eh? What did you think of the last movie?
Mix Master Mike: I really enjoyed the last movie, except for the transition between Anakin to the darkside was a little too rushed. Other than that I think it was great. I’d give it a 9.0, haha.
mr shay: What record do you take with you to every single gig? Do you have doubles of it (or triples?!)
Mix Master Mike: Charles Manson’s ‘Greatest Hits’ – I own 3 copies of it. And they’re all on cassette. Also Dick Hymen’s ‘Electronikiss’.
Junior: Have you ever had any injuries from too much scratching? Strained wrists or broken fingers?
Mix Master Mike: No, not at all. I’m highly trained in this sport.
Alphab0x: How was it being a member of the Invisibl Skratch Piklz?
Mix Master Mike: iIt was a way of life, they were my crew. Best friends growing up and forming a crew. It was the ultimate union – we bonded for life.
Commando Sting: Hi Mike, love your stuff! What has been your most memorable moment with the Beastie Boys?
Mix Master Mike: There’s been so many, recording the Hello Nasty album in a submarine was pretty wild.
Digital Tofu: I read that you first got an interest in turntables when you saw Grandmixer DST on TV. What was it about DST that you found so inspiring?
Mix Master Mike: Because he was the first person I ever saw to touch the turntable! And he just looked sharp, he had this cosmic edge to him so he was dope.
candyman: What other interests do you have other than DJing? Is your whole life dedicated to vinyl?
Mix Master Mike: I’m dedicated to DJing and sports. I do a lot of sports activities.
mr shay: Have you finished your touring commitments now with the Beastie Boys following the release of To The 5 Boroughs? If you had to pick one, what was your highlight show on that world tour?
Mix Master Mike: Yeah, now I’m on my own tour – the Bangzilla tour. The best show on the last Beastie Boys tour was the show in Madison square garden, New York City. A big show in the biggest place in the world!
mr shay: When did you join the Invisbl Skratch Piklz?
Mix Master Mike: When did I FORM the Invisbl Skratch Piklz? It was 1995.
Commando Sting: If you were going to be a sport star, who would you be and why?
Mix Master Mike: I don’t know, shit! Larry Zonka, Miami Dolphins running back – number 39.
Alphab0x: Also, I heard from somewhere that you saw something on the tele that effected your life…what was it?
Mix Master Mike: That doesn’t make any sense!
Commando Sting: Have you ever thought that you will get bored of it all and just want to rest the arm muscles for a while?
Mix Master Mike: Never!
bongboy28: Hey Mike, who do you admire as artists?
Mix Master Mike: I would say Jack La Lanne – fitness instructor!
Commando Sting: Ever had any near death experiences on tour?
Mix Master Mike: No, but I have had them growing up though!
Mix Master Mike: Don’t forget to pick up Bangzilla, in stores now! Get it and blow your woofers. mixmastermike.com – see you at the shows.
