It’s SoundClash time as DJ Hybrid takes on Conrad Subs in a virtual clash of the titans. Who will come out victorious in their selection and take the Drum&BassArena crown? Round one… FIGHT!
The whole clashing vibe is obviously part of jungle heritage considering the whole soundsystem culture and everything that came before us. Do you think it’s importance is as recognised in drum and bass as it should be?
DJ Hybrid
“No I don’t think it is actually mate! There have been some really good ones over the last few years especially at some festivals but I do think that the platform of soundclash style events works within drum and bass and I would like to see a lot more of those types of events in the future.”
Conrad Subs
“Probably not, but drum and bass has changed a lot since those early jungle days. The whole idea of a battle and trying to one up the opposite DJ I think is still relevant, everyone is trying to outdo each other, friendly competition spurs on creativity and forces people to make new sounds and select more interesting records. Just because it’s not always done in a clash scenario doesn’t mean it’s not always bubbling under the surface.”
Red Bull Culture Clash has obviously played a bit part in its commercial relevance but is it time for a drum and bass revival in respects of a one on one clash? Would it work in a big venue tune for tune?
DJ Hybrid
“I think it could potentially confuse people at first, especially ravers who are potentially off their head but maybe once people were clued up on the concept i’m sure they would appreciate it!”
Conrad Subs
“I definitely think it would work, you do see the odd event where they do the clash thing. As it’s not such a regular thing I can see people really talking about it. If it helps DJs draw more interesting tunes and really think about their selection, it will be a win for everyone.”
The forthcoming Kings of the Rollers event is certainly going down this route which can only be a positive thing for the scene. Do you think this will start a whole new trend for the forefront of the scene?
DJ Hybrid
“Yeah I think it might have already as I remember last year when they started doing these events with 3 way back to back sets and now there seems to be a lot more 3 way back to backs on line ups. Would be nice to see more events like the Kings of the Rollers one though in future.”
Conrad Subs
“I hope so, it’s great to see those big unexpected back to backs with established artists mixing with newcomers mixing with foundation artists. It creates one of a kind moments that won’t be replicated easily.”
What’s your opinion on keeping the clash vibes in the underground? Should we be celebrating the ‘not so talked about’ side of jungle and drum and bass more?
DJ Hybrid
“Probably yeah! I mean most of the tunes that seem to go off in the raves at the moment are by young up and coming producers, saying that though it’s obviously good to have tunes that are well known with special dubplate vocals on top.”
Conrad Subs
“All aspects of drum and bass history and culture should be celebrated 100% in my opinion. This scene has so much to offer and has done for the best part of 30 years, the thing about underground music is sometimes things get lost…”
Who would be your dream clash opponent dead or alive? Who would host the battle?
DJ Hybrid
“As they have decided to ‘Return To Jungle’ I wouldn’t mind giving Chase & Status a run for their money ha ha! And I’d say GQ is my all time favourite MC & host so I would have to choose him.”
Conrad Subs
“Dillinja without a doubt, I’d lose but I’m fine with that ha ha! I looked up to him since I was a kid, and a dream host would have been Stevie Hyper D”
If you had to choose a location or stage set up for it, what would it be and where? The venue doesn’t have to be in existence either!
DJ Hybrid
“I have to say Printworks was a brilliant venue for that Clash in the Capitol event last year and it was one of the best nights out I’ve had in ages so probably there.”
Conrad Subs
“The Colosseum in Rome would be mad wouldn’t it? Would never happen but would be amazing.”
Battle of the MCs was huge some time ago with 500 MCs on the bill and 10 DJs, do you think this style of event would be welcome in the 2020 drum and bass scene?
DJ Hybrid
“It would be interesting but from what I can see in most parts of the world not everyone likes constant MCs all the way through a DJs set, I think most people can appreciate a host for certain sets now especially the warm up.”
Conrad Subs
“I think MCs and vocalists in general should be celebrated more, and I think things are moving in this direction a little. I don’t know about 500 but maybe get 10 of the best together and battle/showcase themselves, make them the headliners. I can 100% see that working.”
Considering the recent Wiley V Stormzy diss tracks, do you think there is a place for this in the scene? Do you think clasing in this style is healthy for the scene? More to the point, do you think people actually got it?
DJ Hybrid
“No not really, i’m all about positivity especially in the drum and bass scene so just let your music do the talking. I think people that are into grime got it but I think once it got to a certain point everyone on social media had an opinion about it even if they didn’t really know that much about it.”
Conrad Subs
“Well that’s a different game isn’t it? I have the feeling that it was completely manufactured to generate money and sales…. Do drum and bass heads want that? I don’t think so? The closest we had was Twisted Individual’s ‘Bandwagon Blues’ and then John B chiming in with ‘Blandwagon Poos’. That was entertaining actually yeah more diss tracks please ha ha.”
Moving onto your selection for the clash, can you break each one down tune for tune? Why did you put this war selection together?
DJ Hybrid
Wots My Code – Dubplate (Total Science Remix)
“This is one of my all time favourite tunes! I remember finding it in a bargain bin in a second hand vinyl shop and then rinsed it in every set for many years. It’s just an energetic tune which works in every set I find.”
Conrad Subs
Q Project – Champion Sound (DLR Remix)
“This tune never loses its appeal and the DLR remix just brings it up to date and keeps things fresh. You can’t argue with it, the title says it all.”
DJ Hybrid
DJ Hybrid – Boom In 93 (DJ LAB Remix)
“This one is a remix of one of my old tunes by the badman DJ LAB! It incorporates samples from jungle documentaries and LAB added a wicked raga vocal over the top too. Just screams soundclash vibes to me.”
Conrad Subs
Dillinja – Mutha*ucka
“Classic Dillinja with that deceptively simple, but absolutely deadly bassline. When he switches it up for the Amen’s it’s game over.”
DJ Hybrid
Visionary – Badman (Serum VIP)
“I remember hearing this one being played out for about 2 years as a dub before it finally got a release. Such a heavy tune and it inspired me a lot in my own productions with that heavy 4/4 kick beat with amens on top. It does damage on the dance floor everytime.”
Conrad Subs
Bou – Music Takes Me
“This new one from Bou on Chronic. BIG stinking bassline. That’s what I like, basslines you can’t mess with.”
DJ Hybrid
Sully – Soundboy Don’t Push Your Luck
“As this one was made originally for the ‘Jungle Wars’ series a few years ago it really has that clash vibe to it. The vocal says it all too “what you’re gonna do when they come for you”. Wicked stuff from Sully.”
Conrad Subs
Break & Die – Slow Down
“One of my all time favourites, the bass is bad, and the drums.. Neck snapping business!”
DJ Hybrid
K Jah – Turbo Royale
“This is one of those tunes I wish I had made myself, so simple but so effective! The vocal before the drop sounds a bit like a soundclash tape recorded and when the bass kicks in it always gets a good reaction in the raves.”
Conrad Subs
Ed rush and Optical – Pacman (Ram Trilogy Remix)
A real head nodder and one of my favourite remixes ever. If people don’t dance to this one they must be dead…. or at the wrong venue.”
What’s the deal with the wildcard? Any special memories?
DJ Hybrid
“Yeah! The track ‘Ghost Town’ by The Specials is about the city I grew up in Coventry, it’s just one of those tunes anyone could play anywhere in Cov and it would get a good reaction so lots of happy memories.”
Conrad Subs
“Naughty by Nature’s ‘O.P.P’ has always been a favourite of mine, I like anything with energy and this has bundles of it with that huge bouncy bassline. I’d lose it if I heard a DJ drop this one.”
Finally, if you had to enter the clash in a boxing ring style, what would be your entrance tune?
DJ Hybrid
“Probably either Hive ‘Neo’ because of that heavy reese before it drops or ‘King of the Bongos’ just for the comedy aspect!”
Conrad Subs
Total Science ‘Defcom 69’. Imagine walking out to that breakdown. God knows why but that seems perfect to me.”
