What were you early music influences? Who did you look up to?
I was mostly into my Italian piano stuff early in my career, then moving into the harder side of dance, then onto hardcore, DJs I respected and looked up to and still do were Carl Cox, Tony De Vit and the late great Tom Wilson

How long have you been Djing/MCing now and which do you prefer?
I have actually been DJing longer than MCing but I was that busy with MC'ing that it took priority, I have been in the music business for 13 year now and still love it.

How did you get into the scene? where was your 1st gig?
My first gig was in the Marcos forum in Livingston, Scotland on August 27th 92, it was a gig called Maelstrom, there wasn’t many tickets sold and it had a capacity of 2000 so they cancelled all the main mcs , I managed to get backstage and was asked if would like a shot of the mic, I was absolutely awful but it sounded good at the time.

You were close to the legend Tom Wilson, how much did you learn from him? And what would he have thought of music and events today?
I learnt an awful lot from Tom he was was a major inspiration to me, as like a lot of people , before I knew Tom I used to listen to his dance show every sat and think that this guy rocks, radio was always something I was interested in and through the years Tom took me under his wing and taught me the inn's and out's of broadcasting and together we formed a great partnership in our shows.

If Tommy was here today I could guarantee that he would be loving every minute of it, especially with the Fantazia 2 event being planned , the amount of times he would speak to people about the first one (big bang1) at the SECC was unbelievable, whenever he would be interviewed by magazines the question that would always come up would be what is your favourite gig/event through the years? And Tommy would always reply with the answer .. Well that’s easy it has to be Fantazia big bang 1 without a doubt.
I know for a fact Tom would be as excited about this one as he was when he done the first one.

What do you think are your best qualities as an MC?
I would like to think I have my own style that is different from anyone else, I make sure I spent a good few hours a week writing new lyrics and keeping my sound fresh, I am also a big believer of hyping the crowd up and making sure they feel important and part of the night as they are the ones who make the atmosphere what it is. I also like to make sure the DJ's get hyped up before they go on with nice clear intros and name checks through their sets. Also when I mc at events I never try to over do it with my lyrics through the years I have learned when to come in and when to keep quiet, there's some guys I have came across over the years who just go on and on and never stop all through a DJ's set , sometimes a crowd like to hear a bit of music without an mc rambling on.

What do you enjoy playing the most when you DJ?
I like a variety of different styles of music, I love when I get to play an old skool set, old skool music will always have a special place in my heart as I have had so many fantastic memories through the years with it. Tom loved his old skool and when he passed on I did consider quitting the business myself , but I know for a fact that’s the last thing Tom would have wanted , so I made a point of keeping his music going and to keep letting as many folk as I can hear the sound, and I am loving every minute of it, and just hope that I am doing my mate proud.


How big is your vinyl collection?
Probably to date , I'd say around 4-5000 tunes , I first started around the early nineties , and the collection just grew and grew, also when Tom passed i inherited all his vinyl collection which I have place in special units built in the room.


What's you favourite all time tune? And worst and why?
That’s a tricky one because I have so many , but I'd probably have to say Hardcore uproar by Together, I spent over a year trying to get hold of it on 12” and paid around 35 pound for it, my worst would have to be the one that samples Hugh ,Pue Barny Magoo or something , awful.

Best event you played?
My favourite event I have done would have to be when Tom and myself played at T-in the park in 2002 , we were absolutely bricking it , there was around 15000 people there and our set was going out live all over Scotland on Beat 106 fm, for the first ten minutes our hands were shaking like mad, but as soon as the piano break came in on the first track the crowd went mental, it was a scene to remember, 15000 people with there hands in the air chanting our name.

Best DJing experience?
Playing my first Coloursfest gig at Braehead arena , Glasgow. The crowd were brilliant and it’s a gig I'd never forget.

Funniest thing that happened at an event?
I played at an event at Glasgow Barrowlands when I was around 18-19year old , the place was sold out with 2000 party people, I was standing at the side of the stage waiting to be introduced , the music stopped and the mc announced please welcome mc madman, at that point I ran on and tripped over a cable that was on stage and went head over heels on ma face , believe me I felt a right tube.

Favourite promoter?
Ricky McGowan from colours has to be a favourite, the party's he organises are unbelievable his Back to the future nights are the only events in Scotland that sell out with 3000 people every month, and always puts on the biggest of acts every time.

Dj's s you rate?
I am a huge fan of a dj who plays for a crowd and not for themselves, my favourite in Scotland would have to be Marc Smith , the guys a genius on the decks , when I used to go to raves in the early days I used to just stand and watch marc on the decks the stuff he would do would be just unbelievable, that’s why he has had the Scotland's no.1 tag for all the years .

What do you do to chill out away from the music?
I like to spent as much time at home doing stuff with the family, at home we are big fans of the soaps ,(lol) , also when I have got spare time I like to head to the golf course for a round, then have a few beers with my friends.

The future of Madman, upcoming events?
The future for Madman looks a busy one , I think there's around 25 gigs that I have been booked for up until the new year, and even bookings well into 2006, also I hope to release some tunes of my own, I have been working in the studio with partner Stuart Tennant (DJ Ten) doing some new skool hardcore and trance styles tracks so hopefully they'll be out soon.

Fantazia Braehead, your thoughts on the new event, what sort of set will you be playing?
This is one event that I cant wait to play at, I never made it to the big bang 1 as I took ill a few days before hand, and was gutted I missed it , everyone raved about how good it was , and when I saw the video I was raging that I missed it. I will be playing an old skool set for this event , the kind of set Tom played at the big bang 1, with loads of big anthems that everyone will know, my last tune will probably be Love decade – so real, just for Tom ,as he would always finish his sets with it. I'll probably have a wee tear in my eye.

What advice would you give to up and coming Dj's/MC's?
Be true to yourself and work hard at what you do , it might take a few years before you get noticed but stick at it , because in time you will get that break you always wanted. And believe me there will be no looking back.

How would you like to be remembered?
I would like to be remembered as someone who contributed to the dance scene, and have gave many people many happy memories along the years , and hopefully many years to come.

Anything else you want to say? Any shouts?
My biggest shout goes out to my Fiancée Katrina who has been a rock to me through the years, and who works all the hours promoting myself and the scene, also to the Fantazia massive who will be going to the big bang 2, and to Tom Wilson who will be sadly missed at this event but I know for a fact he, will be with us by our sides on the night.

Thanks , Alan (madman)

Don't forget to visit www.tomdj.co.uk !! Respect to Madman and Katrina for the site

Interview conducted by Bex
(Copyright Fantazia 2005)