Finnish DJ/producer Rico Tubbs has been rocking clubs under various guises for over a decade – The Skillsters, Infekto, even the Bombfunk MCs – but last year he threw the spotlight on his most important alias. In 2008 Rico released his debut LP Knuckle Sandwich, and it certainly packed a massive wallop, in a time where as he puts it, “the album format is becoming obsolete.” Taking inspiration from classic big beat and 90s rave sounds, there’s any number of other influences also mashed in there and more obscure breakbeat, rave and hip hop samples than you can poke a stick at.

There’s a certain level of mayhem that goes along with a Rico Tubbs set, and we’ll be able to get a taste very soon when the Good Vibrations festival kicks off in Sydney next weekend. “I’ve heard so many good things from friends of mine who been there, that I can hardly wait to get there!” he excitedly told ITM. So how much craziness can we expect? “I always play the full on in-your-face party stuff, so expect some heavy bass and big mess of genres! Purists and chinstrokers steer away!” ITM talks mayhem with Rico Tubbs.

You’ve been producing for 15 years now, and have even been credited with producing the first Finnish hip hop album in history (back in 2000). What do you think has brought you more worldwide recognition in recent years, and how do you hope to represent yourself to the world outside of your native Finland?

I’m not one to dwell in the past achievements too much – I’m always interested in what’s now and new. The worldwide recognition comes from the tunes you make and the DJ sets you play. That’s what I like in independent dance music or whatever you want to call it, there’s not much artificial hype, you are as good as your latest track and latest DJ set. I don’t sweat about representing anything much. I just hope there’s a few people out there who like what I do.

You started out in the UK hardcore and hip-hop scene. What took you from there to breakbeat? Do you have a favourite style or genre of music and, if so, what is it and why is it your fave? Do you find it difficult to constantly let your sound evolve, or is it quite a natural process for you?

The UK hardcore I was and still am into, like The Prodigy and Altern-8, are breakbeat so it was a natural progression. I like so many genres but mainly its either breakbeats or bassline driven music; speedgarage/bassline, hip hop, drum n’ bass, dubstep, fidgethouse, Baltimore,early rave etc. It’s impossible to name one favourite as it goes in cycles all the time. There are days that you are fed up with “computer music” and listen to extreme metal. That’s how it works with production too. I never plan too much what I’m going to do when I’m in the studio. Creative chaos brings the best results. Constantly following new music gives you lot ideas all the time though so evolution is natural process.

You’ve been known as Riku Pentti, comprised one half of The Skillsters, been a part of The Bombfunk MCs and have gone under the pseudonym Infekto. Why all the changes, and what does Rico Tubbs now bring to music?

The changes have just happened. Skillsters started it all – by chance took a detour to hip hop production and just by knowing the Bomfunk band guys we got involved with that. Rico Tubbs is silly party music and Infekto is everything else from downtempo to drum n’ bass.

How would you describe your sound? What do you think are your biggest influences, either in today’s music or old-school tracks and sounds?

Club music. Lot of samples and big basslines with rave influence. The biggest influences are definitely The Prodigy and also on the old-skool rave side of things Manix (AKA 4 Hero). I’m also huge fan of old James Brown funk which I think is basically the blueprint for modern dance music, with many songs being just 7-8 minute loops with couple of breakdowns. From the recent stuff I’m feeling, lots of dubstep, some bassline garage and lot of the Justice-esque indie/electro.

Were you pleased with the public’s reaction to your 2008 album Knuckle Sandwich? What’s been keeping you busy since then, and what are your plans for Rico Tubbs in 2009?

Definitely pleased – especially at a time when the album format is becoming obsolete. I’ve been at times even too busy after that. It’s just been studio and gigs. For 2009 there’ll be a Knuckle Sandwich remix album out in March, an EP on Cheap Thrills, a couple of remixes and three single releases on various labels already, plus lot of free stuff on blogs. DJ schedule looks quite busy too so I think I dont even have a chance to plan too much myself – my dream is to have a 2 week holiday at some point

What has been your favourite overseas experience, and how does it compare to the scene back in Finland?

Favourite must be San Francisco, in part due I met some of my cousins there. It had a kind of laidback atmosphere and city was wicked. I really liked New Zealand too – it was also super relaxed and had something in common with Finland except people talked and smiled more. Clubwise, Russia has some of the craziest parties. I think Finnish scene is really most active in Scandinavia. It’s gotten way better in just past few years. Lot of good things going on every weekend and people really are into music.

You’ve mentioned James Brown, Parliament and Roger Troutman as some early influences or favourites. Who impresses you in today’s industry and is there anyone you’d particularly like to collaborate with?

I think this is the best time in music in a long while, so there’s a long list of people who impress me. Herve, Calvertron, Stupid Fresh, Yuksek, Justice, Clipz, Danny Bird, Nero, Benga, Rusko, Caspa. Well, too many to mention really. Collaboration wise I think I’d most like to work with MCs and singers – most of the ones I’m a big fan of like Ghostface Killah, M.I.A, Missy Elliot etc. are way out of my league though.

Rico Tubbs plays the national Good Vibrations Festival tour this February…

Sat Feb 14 – Sydney, Centennial Park
Sun Feb 15 – Melbourne, The Nursery: Flemington Racecourse
Sat Feb 21 – Gold Coast, Parklands Showgrounds
Sun Feb 22 – Perth, Heirisson Island

For more info, news, interviews and DJ mixes, check out ITM’s Festival Page.