Drum and bass is dead. Well, so says the UK music press every few years. However it’s a sentiment that gets a chuckle when I mention it to Andy C, one of the biggest drum and bass DJs in the world. Not only has he been voted the #1 drum and bass DJ in the world for the last 6 years, he’s a regular in most magazine’s ‘best DJ’ polls each year. “Those journos were never coming out on the road with us,” he says, “and never saw what the DJs were seeing – the packed clubs and vibe of the crowd. And the fact that one label, well actually a few labels, have gone so strong and are still going strong in 2007, [it] shows them up time and again.”

The label he is talking about is his own – Ram Records. Initially funded by a kindly uncle, the record label has risen to be one of the most successful imprints in the dance music scene. “The biggest accomplishment is we’re about to celebrate 15 years. We started in 1992 and we’ve gone so far, done so many things and gone to many places, and it’s great that all the crew here and all the artists we’ve signed up are still going strong and still feeling a hunger for the scene.”

Drum and bass’s longevity and relevance for such a long time comes down to the people involved. “Everyone within the scene is working hard, everyone is discovering new acts and doing their best when they DJ to the crowds. I’ve been out to lots of different music shows and I’ve never seen music touch people like drum and bass does,” he says. “It has never overtly relied on commercial success. It’s very hardcore, and the people who come out and feel the vibe are hooked in. There’s a massive internet following, regular clubs around the country and it relies on itself really. I think that keeps it healthy.”

Andy’s accolades are well deserved. Every performance Andy C has done in my hometown of Adelaide is talked about in glowing terms. In fact, read any of the reviews of Andy C and you’ll get the notion that he kills it each and every time, hence acquiring the nickname “The Executioner”. One review from Japan – a place not really known for its big drum and bass scene – likens Andy to Neo from the Matrix, in total command of the people on the dance floor!

I was wondering if the accolade’s he received have given him a big head at all. But Andy is quite humble about it. “The accolades are wonderful, but for me it’s more the drug of going out and playing records to people. Like right now I’m enjoying a couple of weekends off before I come to Australia and I’m already dying to get back on the decks really!” he chuckles. “I’m just sitting around wondering what I’m gonna do. If the accolades come then that’s all good, but fundamentally for me it’s all about being out there, being part of something that’s so loved around the world.”

Part of Andy’s appeal is his devotion to the dance floor and turntables. “For me it’s all about records, decks, vinyl and dubplates. It suits my style of DJing and it’s what I’m the most comfortable with. For me it’s all about the visual aspect, I love whacking the record down, slamming the needle onto it, seeing the grooves and knowing where to cue from.” The crowd feeds off his energy behind the decks, and even when he’s composing he’s trying to capture the vibe of the dance floor. “You look out to the crowd and get lifted by their energy and want to capture that connection with the people,” he says of making music.

Speaking of composing music, whilst Andy’s done more than enough tunes to release more than a few albums, he’s yet to do a fully fledged artist album. “Watch this space!” he laughs. “I’ve got a few ideas down, some tracks done, but we’ll see how it goes. Fingers crossed for 2007!” he laughs again.

The Heavyweight Soundz Tour, featuring Andy C & MC GQ with D-Bridge and special guest Shimon (excluding Adel) travels Australia this month:

Jan 24th – Gaelic Club, Sydney
Jan 25th – HQ, Adelaide
Jan 26th – Metro City, Perth
Jan 27th – Hi Fi Bar, Melbourne