Shut Up And Dance - Breakbeat & Rave Producer Interview
September 2007
Interview with Breakbeat & Rave producers Shut Up And Dance.
Shut Up And Dance
Shut Up And Dance consists of Smiley and PJ, how old are you both?
A true British gentleman never reveals his age, unless it's to a pretty model who's into guys with a lot of experience! Only joking, we're old enough to know not to answer that question :)
Do you both have different roles within the group?
We both produce the music, we both run our record label (Shut Up And Dance Music), it's a case of all hands on deck. Vocally and lyrically PJ does most of the writing but that's because Smiley can't prize the mic from outta his hands.
How did Shut Up And Dance come to be?
We couldn't get a record deal back in the day so being young and head strong we started our own label, this was back when doing this was totally unheard of. People say we started the whole D.I.Y. (do it ya self) culture that most artist adopt nowadays.
Was it hard in the beginning setting up your own record label?
It was more a case of just getting on with it, we were driven by raw energy and learnt as we went along. To this day there are still things to learn.
Does the Shut Up And Dance hat and cane logo have any specific meaning?
It represents dancing. Jazz dancers from back in the 60's used to always dance with canes and wear a snazzy hat… it's our homage to all dancers worldwide.
You used to own a soundsystem called "Heatwave" (with DJ Daddy and DJ Hype), any funny tales to tell from those days?
Many, but most contain details we can't divulge… there were many parties we played at though where people jogging the decks while DJ Hype was cutting up a track used to get right on his tit's.
Since starting Shut Up And Dance Records you have launched a number of other independent record labels, can you tell us a little bit about them and their different styles?
The Redlight label was our drum & bass outlet… a lot of those tracks are now being sort after now because people have realised it was us.
Ruff Quality was a label for more experimental breaks and stuff which wasn't quite right for our main Shut Up And Dance Records label but still of releasable quality.
New Deal Recordings we started just before the UK garage scene exploded, the releases were breaks tracks that the garage scene took to because the MC's loved to rhyme over the fat juicy basslines. Some of our biggest tracks were on that label… "Holdtight", "True Vip" etc.
Any plans to reissue some of the old Shut Up And Dance back catalogue at some point?
We always get asked that but we prefer to concentrate on our new stuff, it's great to be remembered for our past tracks but we focus very much on the future. Some old tracks are available through our website www.shutupanddance.co.uk.
Shut Up And Dance as a label and as a group have had varied chart success, did you view entry into the UK charts as a good or bad thing?
We viewed it as great exposure, the more people know your name, the more likely you'll survive in this game. There's no point being a legend in your bedroom but yet no one knows your stuff.
Even though you have entered the charts at various times though your career you have always managed to stay 'underground', has this been a conscious decision on your behalf?
No, we're just not show bizzy people. In today's world where everyone wants to be a star we are the total opposite, we just wanna make good music, earn a decent living from it and enjoy the whole music making process… going out on the road to DJ is fun as well.
The "Raving, I'm Raving" release famously hit the headlines in '92 when it became banned due to an uncleared Marc Cohn sample. Have you always had to clear all the samples (eg Eurythmics, Duran Duran etc) used in your releases and have you ever had to contact any artists directly?
We always tried to do the right thing, that way everyone's happy. Many artists we tried contacting directly but usually you deal with their management.
How did you come to sign The Ragga Twins?
We knew of them from their sound system days (Unity), they were on one of the biggest sound systems in Hackney. They obviously weren't called The Ragga Twins then, we came up with that name when we signed them. We had always wanted to do something with them.
Are you still in touch with any of the old Shut Up And Dance artists?
Most of them yeah; Nicolette, The Ragga Twins, Peter Bouncer, Ade… we still chat from time to time on the phone with them all.
Who are Rum & Black, or will that always remain a mystery?
Correct, it will always remain a mystery! Keeps you on your toes though doesn't it?
Your live performance of Smiley on the turntables and PJ on the mic has travelled the globe, where is the strangest or most interesting place you have played?
Glastonbury in the dance tent, that place rocked man! We don't really play anywhere strange, just places with strange people sometimes… but they make the night fun and give you lots of good memories.
Shut Up And Dance are known as one of the pioneers of UK breakbeat with a mass of underground anthems, how does it feel to have that legacy and who did you see as the pioneers back then?
It's good to be recognised for what you've archived and created, at the time we were just trying to express ourselves through our music… experimenting and creating our own unique sound was a part of that process.
People we respected were Mantronics, Derek May, Prince, James Brown and Public Enemy amongst many others.
Has your sound has always revolved around a breakbeat element?
We have always made music using breaks, which when we first stared doing we were amongst the first to do in the UK, which is why people give us props for setting the blueprint for drum and bass, jungle, breakbeat, etc.
We use to take a hip-hop beat or drum loop and speed it up to a much faster tempo, that's how we got our musical kicks. It's a formula that changed the British underground music scene.
We have always made music using breaks which when we first stared doing we were amongst the first to do in the UK, which is why people give us props for setting the blueprint for drum and bass, jungle, breakbeat, etc.
Shut Up And Dance
In 2005 you released "Breakbeat Elite", an album featuring many different artists which raised funds for OXFAM and the crisis in Sudan, how did this project come about?
We were sick and tired of nothing being done, millions of people were dying and being slaughtered yet the media mostly ignored the situation. We wanted to raise awareness and give something back. Fortunately for us the breaks community were all eager to be involved and the project was a great success thanks to the Great British public and all the people worldwide who bought it.
What software / equipment did you use to produce your music back in the day?
Originally a tascam 4 track studio and a digitech sampler, then we progressed to an S950 etc and a 8 track recorder…
What software / equipment do you use to produce your music now?
We use Logic, Recycle, Soundforge… the usual stuff… and lots of experience.
What are your musical influences?
Anything that's good by any artist that's good, we're musically unbiased.
Do you have a favourite tune of all time?
"Planet Rock" because that track changed the sound of music forever… and most things by early Mantronics, Derek May and Public Enemy.
Prince is also a musical genius, even when he's making the odd dodgy track.
Which other producers / artists out there would you most like to work with?
Skin from Skunk Anansie, Prince, Morgan Heritage and sooooooooo many more!
What are your views on the current UK music scene?
It's all good, there are some talented people in it but if you're an underground artist/label then it's getting harder to earn a decent living from it what with everyone downloading for free off the net.
What was the last record / CD you bought?
Bitty Mcclean - "On Bond Street" LP, it's well good.
The photography on your debut album "Dance Before The Police Come" is very martial arts based and the back cover carries a picture of your Wing Chun Kung Fu teacher, Gary McKenzie. Do you both practice martial arts?
We use to about 4 times a week, but lack of time means we don't as much now. We still run though some moves when exercising though.
What other interests or pastimes do you have outside the music scene?
Lot's of reading, running and were both football crazy!
Can you tell us about your forthcoming album which I believe is titled "The Great British Public"?
It's slamming, I think anyone into our sound, or who has heard us out when we DJ will be into this album. It's got something for everyone who's into dance music… fat basslines, silky vocals, party songs, dancefloor killers, MC rhymes and it's on 3 CD's so you certainly get good value for money.
For further information about Shut Up And Dance please visit:
www.myspace.com/shutupanddancetunes
