Making heads turn recently has been the 4 handed, 2 headed and multitalented mutant child of Melbourne lads Nick Thayer and DJ Flagrant. Thayer, the breaks DJ who resides at Out of Order, decided it’d be a good idea to team up with friend and drinking companion Flagrant – Madizms resident and man about town – to test a 4 deck idea both had been thinking about. A few triumphant Melbourne and Sydney appearances later, the Suburbanites keep going from strength to strength, culminating in a headline performance at the upcoming inthemix members party at Lounge on Friday April 25. ITM spoke to them to get the latest Suburbanite lowdown.
Who are the Suburbanites and why should we care?
Thayer: Block rockin’ duo Nick Thayer and DJ Flagrant – party rockin’ is our game
Flagrant: Two bad bwoys who love all kinds of music and can fuse almost anything together better than your average Joe’s.
You’re both established DJs in your own rights … playing a different style. Why did you hook up and how has it evolved?
Thayer: We hooked up cause it seemed sensible. We both have similar ideas on what DJing is all about – i.e. giving the party people a party time – so we got our parties together.
Flagrant: Someone suggested the idea to Nick, and Nick approached me and I was most definitely down to work with him. I knew he had skills and good taste in music so it wasn’t even a question really.
Who does what in the suburbanites? How does it work?
Thayer: I play records and Nathan shakes his ass.
Flagrant: Well, we rock out with two decks and a mixer each. Usually Nick lays the foundation with a Break Beat format and I color the music with a range of different accapellas, instrumentals, sounds, tones, strange/wacky/out-there tunes or whatever will work. I pride myself on finding records that other people haven’t used before.
Do you live in the suburbs? What’s the best thing about the suburbs?
Flagrant: Ill leave that to Nick. I live in a Penthouse in St Kilda baby! Ladies… Ritz Mansions… just buzz 15 wink
Thayer: I love the ‘burbs. Its quiet and peaceful – but I’m only 15 mins from the city which is way cool. Only problem is in my area pubs are illegal. My ‘local’ is about half an hour away.
Explain the following in 30 words each …
... Your sound …
Flagrant: Fast block party beats with eclectic extras thrown in to make you freak out on the dancefloor.
Thayer: A mash-up of everything that is good about breaks – from b-boy to finger lickin with a healthy dose of whatever else we want
... Your individual personas …
Flagrant: I just love having good semi-clean fun and I like to give people a good time. If you arent happy, I’m not happy.
Thayer: I’m a forgotten rock’n’roller … and Nathan is a giant Bling Bling necklace come to life.
... Your collective persona …
Thayer: The sum is greater than the parts – like two halves that come together nicely we just about manage to fit both our egos and Nathan’s rump into the one group. My main role is to pay him out. No no – How many times can I say ‘Party’ in one interview, cause that’s our collective persona
Flagrant: When we come together, we form a formidle force that booties cannot reckon with. Your booty must move, you have no choice.
You’ve played before at Lounge and also together in Sydney. How was it?
Thayer: Rockin – we love playing and love seeing the crowd enjoy our stuff so we do as much as we can to generate that feeling. My favourite is still the response to Ginuwine vs Krafty Kuts.
Flagrant: Sydney was mad! The house was rammed and the crowd we’re going off hardcore. We remixed a lot of songs live by throwing in different elements here and there. Basically, when we use 4 decks, we can quick mix and throw in up to 4 layers at a time to create something original and to an extent, put our own production credits on the track.
What did you try and do and what extra elements do you feel having 2 heads and 4 decks and 4 hands gives you when in action?
Thayer: generally a whole lot more booty goin on. We can get more wierd shit into the mix from so far outta left field – - – plus what we both do personally leaves each of us to concentrate on our strengths – be that mixing or cutting or dancing or shakin or whatever
What have you got planned for the inthemix massive for the big members party? Any words of warning for the ladies, Mr. Flagrant?
Flagrant: Aha.. well, we got some new routines, and fresh remixes that should get any booties rockin. I cant divulge much at this point, but best believe, asses will shake! As for the ladies.. all I can say is this: “There’s an after party in my bedroom, and your all invited… even the skanks.. NOT !!!” :D
Thayer: Well I got a new haircut from Dr Follicles …
Catch The Suburbanites as they unleash party party party business at the inthemix members party, Friday April 25 at Lounge.
CLICK HERE TO RSVP NOW!!
