Rollers Music is 2SER FM’s latest attempt to address the current shortage of quality underground dance music programming on Sydney radio airwaves. The show airs every Saturday on 107.3FM. ITM’s Samurai caught up with resident junglist ganstaaz DJ Ritual and A.L.F.

When did you both start DJing?

R: I started playing in the beginning of ‘96. Probably the most well known gigs I did at this time were with my two buddies otherwise known as Q45 and Kid Kenobi (with Goodwill being our paternal influence) at the Burdekin (Hotel, Oxford St).

A: I started playing rave stuff around ‘94, but had a collection of Hip Hop and Jungle “on the side”. The “on the side” stuff soon took over in ‘96 when I began playing at joined@the bass at the Cricketers Arms Hotel on Thursdays.

What styles/genres do you prefer and why?

R: Anything with tough drums, funk and lots of thought. Drum n’ bass, Broken beat (4 Hero, Bugz In The Attic) and Dread Garage (Horsepower, Darqwan) is what I’d point out as being the media names for what I am in to.

A: I’ve always like Hip Hop, it combines cool samples and the best drums from yesterday’s music. It’s a good tempo, which keeps you nodding your head until something goes wrong. Jungle-esque DnB that have loads of influences from other musical genres, like funk driven or techno driven. Either way, if it ain’t Rollin’, it aint a Roller.

What have you both been up to lately?

R: Writing music (just finishing off a tune with Kenobi and 45, doing a remix for Vice Versa and loads of my own stuff), playing wax and maintaining the perennial search for the perfect beat.

A: Writing some hiphop/breaks/dnb stuff with some like minded people. Gearing up my crew of talented artists and deejays (Airbourne & Momentum) to push our skills in the right way, with the right respect to the rest of the crews doing stuff in this little town, and this little country.

Recent gigs/albums?

R: Loads really. Total Science 10 deck smash up @ 50/50 first birthday, Home residency, new ‘tings like Clockwork, Blow, mad Old Skool Bizness@momentum and heaps more stuff.

A: Besides what “R:” mentioned, I’ve got a tune out on Elefant Trak’s “An Elefant Never Forgets” LP recently and also been busy writing tunes with The Herd MCs Ozi Batla & Urthboy, The Obvious & DJ Munk. Took Momentum to Moonbar in Brisbane.

Now to DnB radio. How did the show come about?

R: I got a call from 2SER and Inertia both telling me Sydney needed a DnB show back on 2SER. I was so excited that I did everything I could to get it happening, including calling up A.L.F. After that we just waited until the right time came up.

A: I got a call from “R:” and he told me he got a call from 2SER…........ and “R:” said he needed my sultry phone-sex vocal abilities to help him out on radio because his voice apparently hasn’t broken yet.

Briefly describe the concept of the show?

R: It’s a drum n’ bass show with emphasis open-minded music. Variety is the key here.

What are you hoping to achieve with this segment?

R: It’s really about spreading the music to avenues it may not have got to previously – and having a lot of fun whilst doing that. I would really like people to have a better understanding of the music and its variety.

A: Its all good to have on the show DJ’s that can mix really fast and go off like a bag o’ prawns in da sun but we still need to know what it was that he/she played. So we elaborate on the Artist/Tunes/Labels/Events a little more in depth. Keeping it fresh with new material as well as be reminded about the roots of the genre from tunes of the past.

What styles/genres can we expect to hear?

R: Drum n’ bass, full spectrum from the roughest to the smoothest. It is called Rollers music so we are proud of the ‘rollers’.Also, we have our little hip hop / beats ending to keep the variety whilst maintaining the ‘junglist’ format

Any guest DJs/programmers on the cards?

R: Always.. We’ve already had Spikey T (Blood and Fire), Journeyman (from Brisbane), 50/50 posse, Airbourne/Momentum posse and many more in the future.

A: As erratic as International tours are, we’ll try to have as many Internationals as we can that can spare that moment!!

Are there any similar shows on Sydney or Australian radio?

R: Not in Sydney, can’t say about the rest of Oz. Freshest promo’s, massive back catalogue and unbridled enthusiasm makes for something completely unique.

A: We are blessed with the bandwith power of 2SER. Its transmitters reach the Katoomba/The Blues Mountain areas in full stereo!! The way phat basslines and chunky drums should be heard.

So how do you think this show would compare to Groove train or the JJJ Hip Hop show on Friday night?

R: I’d say we have a different angle. We just play music we love, no compromise and since everyone is different, you get a totally unique experience.

How would your say the current programming available reflects the health of the Aussie Hip Hop/Drum n Bass scene?

R: It doesn’t at all. With only small amounts of support for both genres on radio but masses of people partying to these styles all over Australia I’d say it completely does not reflect the state of both styles to date. We’re lucky 2SER decided to sort it out a bit…

A: I believe hip hop is steaming ahead in Sydney on radio, with healthy shows like The Peanut Spells, Droppin’ Science and the JJJ Hip Hop show, things are really happening for hip hop on the airwaves as well as its scene. The Drum’n’Bass scene in Sydney is healthy, yet more people are not educated as quick due to the lack of airplay…..We’re here to contribute to that airplay.

Drum n Bass as a genre is huge in England. Why do you think it hasn’t enjoyed the same success in Australia?

R: The reasons for this are multi-faceted. From the initial “it’s to hard to dance to” vibes of the early to mid 90’s to the cultural cringe of magazines telling people what to like or what’s ‘cool’. That’s why progressive trance is so big.

A: Speaking for Sydney, there isn’t enough Underground Radio for the genre. Not enough of the music is filtering through at raves. The music originated in England, like that of hip hop in the U.S. – Australia is generally slow in picking up anything interesting or progressive from overseas.

So what’s next for the two of you?

R: Spreading the junglist vibez and general world (and radio) domination…

Anything else you’d like to add?

R: A.L.F really is the Fonze
A: This rhythm is rated “R:”.....

Rollers Music airs on Saturdays from 10:00-11:30pm on 2SER 107.3FM.