ATB - Apply The Breaks

Take five turntables, three mixers, 3 – 5 DJs and add a host for flavour. Now throw in some humour, a large scoop of oomph stir vigorously, present to a full dance floor and allow to boil for 60 – 120 minutes. what do you have? Apply the Breaks!

Think Scratch Perverts or Drunken All-stars with a sense of humour and you’re about there.

Formed in May 2003, ATB consists of DJ’s Mack The Knife, C Smoove, Rob Focuz, X Kon (aka Darren Lee), Idle, and Daddy Fingaz, and hosts Krafty MC and K.I.D who combine in various configurations to produce an energetic DJ show covering the full spectrum of breakbeat music.

It’s certainly not a scene for the feint-hearted, and the unique live experience has led to the group landing a residency at rave-giants Raindance as well as performing at various other venues supporting acts such as the Scratch Perverts and the Drunken Allstars themselves. The Breakfastaz, the Autobots, Aquasky, Drumattic Twins, Freestylers, Dreadzone and Shut Up & Dance to name but a few.

It al started with their own acclaimed Apply The Breaks and This Is Oldskool parties in their home-town of Luton, Bedfordshire. Apply the Breaks as a night was thrice been listed in DJ mags top 10 nights in the land, repeatedly as pick of the week in local press.

Individually, the crew have their own projects, which include promoting the long-running Monday Club night at The Horn in St Albans and have held the 4-6pm Sunday slot on underground radio stations RAW FM for over 5 years.

C Smoove has recently joined household names such as Future Funk Squad, General Midi, Hardcore Beats, Born Idle and Far Too Loud on internet radio station I Breaks, holding the Tues 8-10pm slot rotating fortnightly. Krafty MC won Next Generation MC at the Raveology Drum and Bass awards 2006.
The crew also produce their own tracks, the first release from Dekoy and Rob Focuz hit stores in April 2007 on Control Breaks Records.

This was well received spending the first 2 weeks of its release in the top 10 download and vinyl charts at Juno and Breakbeat Online. The follow up is due out on Mofo recordongs with a remix by the Beat Assassins in 2008.

More recently, they have secured a second residency at Epidemik, and have appeared at venues in Ibiza, France and Poland, with return visits planned for 2008.

As many have already discovered, the perfect way to get any party started is simply to Apply the Breaks!

Residencies:

• Epidemik

• Raindance

• Apply the Breaks

• Monday Club

Music Styles:

• Breakbeat

• Nu Skool Breaks

• Rave Breaks

• Electro House

Productions

• Dekoy and Rob Focuz – “Cornel k” – Mofo Records

• Dekoy and Rob Focuz – “Chunk the Funk” – Control Breaks Records

• Dekoy and Rob Focuz – “Shakedown” – Unsigned

• Dekoy and Rob Focuz – “Hands in the Air” – Unsigned

• Many more in the pipeline