He rose to fame on the back of the success of the anthemic electro house mashup Jump Around, but it’d be unwise to write off Micky Slim as a one-hit wonder. This dance music hardman is one of the heaviest-hitting DJ/producers to emerge off the streets of Birmingham, ands as he reveals to ITM he’s got plenty coming up in 2009. “I’m really focusing hard on developing my label Bombsquad Records, we have plenty of solid releases lined up for 2009 as well as touring the UK and Europe as Bombsquad Soundsystem, our own 20k rig, we are doing 2 dates in the summer at Judgement Sunday and an outdoor stage at Global Gathering UK as well as various club dates.” So it’s all happening for the house music’s favourite Brummie!

Micky Slim’s bio plays up his reputation as a ‘bad boy’, but he insists it’s all a bunch of hot air. “We all have a past, mine is a little bit murkier than others. I don’t take no shit off anybody so I guess that’s where it comes from, I am a nice guy really.” Of course, this is from the same guy who describes his production style as “Big Bad and Heavy,” and his DJ style as “Bigger Badder and Heavier.” He’s hitting the festival stage across the country for the Good Vibrations tour during February, so we’re all heading for a Brummie-style smackdown. ITM braces for a severe belting.

Micky Slim, what’s been happening man?

Lots of stuff, been in the studio loads doing various different projects. Got some really interesting tracks to come out this year, lots of original material and collaborations with artists like MJ Cole, Krafty Kuts, Stupid Fresh, The Loose Cannns, Mark Trophy and many more.

If you were to rate 2008, what would you give it out of ten and why? 8/10. I had a great time, I played five Global Gatherings for Godskitchen around the world, had my second year residency at Judgement Sundays, so many great gigs I lost count and learnt how to snowboard. BIG!

Have you ever been out to Australia before? If so, when and what for? If not, what have you heard about it from all of the other artists that you know who have toured here?

I came to Australia last year on tour with Mark Brown (Cr2) to promote the mix compilation I did with him for his label called Live & Direct. Absolutely fell in love with the place so I am over the moon to be coming back.

Are you looking forward to playing at the Good Vibrations festival across Australia and why?

To make it on to the Good Vibes line up is amazing, I couldn’t be happier. Playing alongside Fatboy Slim, Stanton Warriors and some of the other great acts like my good friend Deadmau5 will be awesome and to get away from the snow in the UK is a godsend, I need to get rid of my studio tan.

Do you plan on spending any studio time with any Aussie guys whilst you are out here?

I’d love to think I might get the time to, one of my good friends is Klaus Hill who is from the UK but is now an Aussie resident so may try to get in with him.

You’ve played alongside a host of artists including Erick Morillo, Chris Lake and Richard Dinsdale. What’s the most notable memory for you whilst DJ’ing to a live crowd?

Playing my remix of House of Pain’s Jump Around to 5000 people at Global Gathering Belarus and watching the whole place go nuts. It made the hair on my neck stand up!

What’s the most embarrassing thing that’s ever happened to you when you’ve been behind the deck?
Forgetting to mix the next record last Saturday because i was too busy talking to Seb Leger, I blame him.

You’ve got this reputation as a bit of a bad boy, why do you think this is? Is that an accurate perception of you?

Not really, we all have a past, mine is a little bit murkier than others. I don’t take no shit off anybody so i guess that’s where it comes from, i am a nice guy really.

Do you prefer to DJ or to produce? Explain why and how you’ve made your choice.

I am a DJ first and foremost, I got into production late and now I am hooked but to produce and not DJ would be pointless, maybe when I am older it will be the other way around but for now I love to party too much.

Away from music, what do you like to do? I notice you’re a Birmingham boy, are you a big fan of Birmingham FC?

No way! I am an Everton fan but I am not avidly into football, my love is UFC, mixed martial arts, I love it, that and my new hobby Snowboarding.

To date, what has been your favourite original production and why?

My first ever track Acid is the Bomb is still my favorite purely because it was such a new thing to me and I was that excited about it, Seb Fontaine dropped it in a club a few weeks after I made it and I nearly fell over.

What’s your real name and how did the moniker of Micky Slim come about?

My real name is Michael McNeice, the name Micky Slim came about because I used to be very Slim, too many chemicals when I was younger, not much else to say.

How would you describe your production style and why?

Big Bad and Heavy, cause it is

How would you describe your DJing style and why?

Bigger Badder and Heavier, I like to play jump up party tracks, I can appreciate more musical stuff but my love has always been for bass.

Lastly, you got anything that you want to say or anybody that you want to shout out?

I just wrote out a list of peeps to shout out and felt like I was accepting an Oscar so fuck it, Good Vibes had better be ready for some big beats. Free the Gaza strip!

Get heavy with Micky Slim on the Good Vibrations tour…

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

Don’t forget to check out ITM’s Festival page for everything Good Vibrations as the tour draws ever closer…