The beginnings of most musical movements. The energy and rawness is there, rather than having record companies beat the spirit out of the artists in the name of money. But if pushed I'd say turntablism, Rap, Jazz, Dub, House, Acid, Rave, Jungle... anything that makes my head nod uncontrollably.
Movies
Martial arts movies (no matter how tacky), Enter the Dragon, Matrix Trilogy, Bourne Trilogy, Star Wars 1-6... the usual boy type flicks. And a selection of soppy chic flicks as well like Jack and Sarah - there must be balance. And let's not forget all the usual scratch DVDs too.
Right now, I'm going through a skateboard nostalgia phase so Dogtown and Z-boys is on heavy rotation.
Television
The Prisoner, Scrubs, Home and Away (sad but true). And Johnny Staccato - if anyone has this on DVD or video, holler! Interestingly, I've become an NCIS addict.
Books
Jeff Chang's Hip Hop Don't Stop - buy this book now! iCon as well.
Heroes
Bruce Lee, John Peel - the most influential people in my life outside of those in my house.
Jeffrey Daniel from Shalamar for bring me bodypopping and the Rocksteady Crew for contuining to live and breath b-boy culture.
Tony Alva, Stacy Peralta, Jay Adams and any Dogtown skater - massive influence on me in the 70's.
Herk, Theodore, Jazzy Jeff, QBert, Flare plus too many other DJs for using 2 turntables in a way that nobody else was or does.
Patrick McGoohan for the Prisoner - one character I've really identified with over the years (not so much now I'm free of the 9-5).
Welcome to the skratchworx myspace page. It's more about me - Gizmo. Born again DJ and b-boy, family man and father. Trying to leave the world a little better than it was. In this place, I can ramble on incoherently about anything I wish and leave www.skratchworx.com untouched.
Right now, I'm living my dreams of self employment and hopefully making the DJ world just that little bit better through my website, skratchworx. At skratchworx, I'm hoping to bring together all spheres of the DJ world and talk about the more turntablist side of the scene. And hopefully, I'll also do something in the future about the history behind the scene.
In the meantime, my inner b-boy has been reawakened so in between writing harsh reviews and trying to catch up my DJ skills after too long away from the decks, I'll be practicing my long lost popping moves. Oh and making websites for people willing to pay for them.
I'd also love for the skateboarder in me to be re-awakened, but when I make noises of buying a board again, my family as good as beg me not to "embarrass them". Nice. And I have all this spare time now so I can go and make a complete dick of myself when all the kids are at school too.
A note about my top friends: The people you see aren't necessarily my friends. Like most of you, I haven't met nor know all of the people in my list. But I've put them at the top of the pile because these are people who have had or continue to have a positive and profound effect on the person I am. They say a whole lot about me, my past and my future. I've made it an aim to personally meet everyone in my top friends list. And so should you.
I'm not one for adding friends for the hell of it. There are a number of people in my list who simply requested to be added because of skratchworx and the effect it's had on them.
Who I'd like to meet: Anyone and everyone. Must be genuine and true to themselves. No time for fakers, bullshitters or people who are out for themselves. And importantly, if you say you're going to do something, do it.
I'd love to meet the people in my heroes list and if I have my way, I probably will.
The best tool in the world for DJs, scratch cats & production chiefs!
"...probably the best so far...the beats are great, the melodies, the battle sentences, the phrases... you can't run out of ideas with this one." DJ Switch (2x UK Battle DMC Champ)
"These tools get better and better.. Another 'must-have' break from the finest breakmakers" DJ Tigerstyle (3x world champ)
The 2008 Turntablist Sessions @ Queensbridge Park NYC
From 5-9 pm on Thursdays, June 5, 12, 19 & 26, 2008
June 5: 5th Platoon: DJs Neil Armstrong, Daddy Dog & Roli Rho June 12: Ill Insanity: DJs: Rob Swift, Total Eclipse & Precision June 19: Roc Raida, Boogie Blind, Mista Sinista & Steve Dee June 26: DJs Spictakular, Glenbrowski, Supreme, Davy DMX
Free! All ages. Top turntablists, DJ battle champs and more! Queensbridge Park on 41st Ave. & Vernon Blvd. Long Island City, Queens NYC (right across the river from Manhattan). F to 21st in Queensbridge. N, W or 7 to Queensboro Plaza + Q102 bus to Vernon Blvd.
No video cameras (without advance approval), no alcohol, no drugs, no driving into the park, no vending without a permit! Respect! For more information: myspace. com/ToolsofWar
YO GIZ, WHAT'S POPPIN MAN? THANKS FOR ALL THE HELPFUL INFO YOU'VE GIVIN FROM SKRATCHLOUNGE AND SKRATCHWORX.... YOU'VE BEEN A HUGE HELP. KEEP THAT WAX SPINNIN......THA BOSS.....HOLLA!!!!
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