1. The First Record I Bought:
The first record I bought was Led Zeppelin 2. I have an older sister who coached me on my choice so it’s kind of cheating. I was in year 7 and had just started playing drums. I sucked but I was keen. I can still put that record on and get lost in it.
2. The Last Record I Bought:
I just bought Synth or Soul by Black Milk. It’s a record of instrumental beats. On one side are sample heavy soul beats and the other side is full of synth’ed out kooky beats. I prefer the synth side.
3. The First Thing I Recorded:
My first band was called The Mechanical Bum Cheeks. You may know us for winning battle of the bands at Balmain Town Hall in 1992, maybe not? It was a high school band and I was the drummer, obsessed with Faith No More and The Dead Kennedys. I thought I would play drums professionally one day. Who knew I would end up a rapper. During the TZU years I used to play a lot drums and I still like to sample real drums when I can.
4. The Last Thing I Recorded:
I just released my second solo album called Blue Volume. It’s probably the most personal album I’ve ever released and also one of the punkest. I played and programmed all the beats and handle all the raps. So many old influences raised their head on this one. Fugazi, Dylan, Mos Def, The Beastie Boys. I tried to block out what the radio was playing or what was the latest trend and go for something original and true.
5. The Record That Changed My Life:
I grew up with parents who loved music and when I was in primary school my dad used to play Paul Simon’s Graceland album on repeat. It soundtracked a lot of school holidays. I have memories of driving up the high way in Northern NSW singing along to it with my dad and my sister and feeling like the world was just fucking awesome. That album is still one of my all time favourites.
JOELISTICS is playing a free gig at the Prince Bandroom on Saturday August 9 with Dylan Joel, Mathas and DJ Flagrant.
