EXCLUSIVE: Interview With DJ AM‏

I had the opportunity to interview the late, great, DJ AM, before his untimely passing. AM’s skills, passion, and love for the craft were something truly special. He was the real deal, and his music will live on forever through his contemporaries.

This interview took place on August 12th, 2008.

1. How did you and Travis hook up, and how did the idea come about to play some shows together?

Trav called me up and said “I got an idea, lets grub” so we did. He had seen a drummer with a DJ in NYC and wanted to try it out. We decided to get a rehearsal room and try it out. At first I was shook cause I didn’t know what it would sound like. I forgot whom I was dealing with. He is like a drum machine, always in sync. We right away had some cool sounding stuff and now we get to play a set for people all the time. Life is rad.

2. Who are some of your favorite Dj’s?

Jazzy Jeff and DJ Craze are my top 2 I think.

3. Who are some of your favorite bands?

Red Hot Chili peppers, System of a Down and Daft Punk are the first the pop in my head.

4. When did you start Dj’ing, what/who inspired you to start?

The 1983 Grammys is what did it for me. I saw Herbie Hancock perform the some rock-it and the main featured instrument in it is a scratch by a DJ named Grandmaster DST. It just looked and sounded like the coolest thing EVER> he had these funky ass headphones with an antenna coming out of the top and was moving the record with his hand and it was making this sound that just moved me. I had to try it! When I did at a friend’s house in 1985, I knew it was for me. I have not stopped since.

5. What are you listening to these days, can you recommend any artists for us to check out?

I am LOVING The Ting Ting’s album. Also if you don’t have the Daft Punk Alive 2007 CD you need it in your life asap.

6. Can you tell us about your shoe collection?

I am a sneaker collector and have been since 1998. I am kinda a sicko about it. I just realized a year ago “ok, enough is enough” and am donating ½ to charity for my Mom. She suffers from MS so I am gonna hope my gluttonous excess shoes help find a cure.

7. Top three favorite albums?

How much time we got? Hahah Id have to say Legend – Bob Marley, System of a Down – System of a Down and Gangstarr – Daily Operation.. but there are too many more TIES

8. Favorite places to eat in L.A?

Joans on 3rd, Woo Lae Oak, Polo Lounge and Houston’s

9. Favorite bars/clubs/stores in L.A?

LAX… duh

10. Can you tell us about LAX?

It roolz

11. Who would you like to work with in the future?

I want to keep doing this with Travis forever cause its so exciting and there is no end to covering songs like we do. If I can ever build a stage show with Martin Phillip who did the Daft punk pyramid during the alive 2007 tour, I would do back flips

12. How did you get the name DJ AM?

My initials are AMG and everyone called me AM. When I started DJing, they just put a DJ in front.

13. What was the first record you bought, and when did you start scratching?

First record I ever bought was Kansas – Leftoverture for the song “Carry on my wayword son” I first tried ONCE to scratch in 1985 and I think I actually did a real scratch in 1991

14. What’s next for DJ AM?

“Want to make G0D laugh? Tell him your plans”

15. Thanks so much, would you like to give any shout-outs?

Big up to my Momma and Muggsy my gangster ass cat.