From the sensuous squeal of fingers that move across guitar strings to an industrial bass stab, the Rogue Traders can transform any sound and genre to dance floor killer tracks. Their album is still on high rotation and things are looking up. ITM does some ‘rouging’ and stumbles across punishment, party tricks and all things cheeky.
To rogue, to be rogued, or in the process of rouguing, it all has to do with being playful, mischievous and downright criminal – all the characteristics that suit expat-Brits James Ash and Steve Davis who are the Rogue Traders.
Their debut album titled ‘We Know What You’re Up To?’ is still doing the rounds at clubs and raves and the boys could not be happier. So why an album title that sounds more like a movie? It “conveys pommy cheekiness,” says Steve. “It’s a London ‘cockney spiv’ thing which we latched on to since we were born in the land of no sunshine.” The mysterious red Mini Cooper on the album cover and a competition to win it needs some explanation. “Again carrying on the theme of cheekiness we decided that the mini best suits that image…I don’t think we could have given away a Lamborghini somehow! Shit that’s not a bad idea for the next album!”
After making music for 15 years and Djing in clubs, one could say their success has been a long time coming. They have chosen to base themselves in Australia – the land of sunshine. That is another lifetime away, a long way from home where they first met in London during the Summer of Love rave era. The purveyors of house wanted more than spinning records and producing tracks. “It’s the natural progression from releasing dance singles,” says Steve. “After awhile you want to create something of greater substance.”
For James, motivation behind the album had something to do with turning the big three-o and a monthly curry and pint with friends. “I was flat broke and getting worried,” he explains. “I had to watch as my mates careers took off and I languished in obscurity.” But it was this mini crisis that gave the Rogue Traders exactly what they needed. Now James cannot wait until next curry night.
The Rogue Traders attraction to using house as a music base comes with a blend of Jamaican Rude boy stylin’, eighties electronic pop, hip-hop and whatever takes their fancy. ‘We have many influences that we grew up with and incorporating them into house felt natural to us” says Steve. It was a way of contemporising everything we love about music. Our aim was to create a more of a rounded listening experience rather than just a generic house record.”
Are there plans for another Rogue Traders album? “We are writing away on our next album at the moment and it’s pretty exciting,” says Steve. “We’re definitely more confident and willing to move even further away from conventional house.” More willing? The Rogue Traders have already. They blame it on Basement Jaxx. “Is it house? Is it rock? Is it punk? Yeah it is,” explains James. “What we are doing at the moment sounds like a real band performing dance music – but don’t be scared.”
Are there any dance music vodka stories the Rogue-sters would like to share? “It involved Vodka and me falling on me arse over a speaker,” says Steve. “When someone convinced me it was a good idea to snort vodka,” says James. “Extremely. Bad. Idea.”
If the two geezers were not the Rogue Traders, Steve would love to work on TV behind the scenes. James would be an actor. “Unfortunately I’m absolutely crap at it. Maybe a writer of porn.”
Not only is their album still doing the rounds, but also the Rogue Traders party trick explains James. “Downing 20 cock-sucking cowboys in ten minutes after finishing a gig.” Rumors have also revealed “Steve…likes to get it out sometimes.”
What can audiences expect in the next couple of months particularly on New Years Eve. “To be punished. And let’s be honest, you really did bring this on yourselves.”
Catch the dance duo sadists on New Years Eve at Mobile Home and you may see Steve get it out. For more info head HERE.
