How did you get the name DJ Phantasy?
The name came about from a party I worked for in the 80's. The rave was called Phantasy & because I was working for them & all the promoters got arrested for running illegal parties, I decided to call myself DJ Phantasy. I spoke with the guys that ran the party & they had no problem except they wanted me to put DJ before the name. DJ Phantasy was born. I was already playing out at that time but I never had a name & it was quiet weird when someone would ask me what my name was. I just told them my name.

How did you first start DJing, and did you know you would one day be making a living out of it?
I started because I had a real love for music & I'm the kind of person that when I get into something I usually go the whole nine yards. Otherwise, what's the point? When I first started it was strictly for the love of it & I didn't realise that I would end up making a living out of it. But I did want to make a living out of it so I just got my head down & got on with it.

How did you cope with the rave scene splitting in to jungle and hardcore? Did you do cross-over sets, or keep true to one style?
I'm glad you have asked this. A lot of people think that I played hardcore when the music split but that's bollocks. Let me tell you a fact that anyone who was around can verify. I alongside Mickey Finn & Top Buzz started playing this whole Drum n Bass sound. When everyone was out there playing their 4 to the floor, we were playing Jungle Techno.

I made tracks in 1990 that were of a Drum n Bass style & they were like the style I was playing. In 1991, Hippodrome was made, which was a Drum n Bass track. So tell me please, how can man come & claim they started Jungle in 1994?? That's bollocks. I just wish people would search out the history of this scene as it does go back a lot further than the explosion of Jungle. I didn't have to cope with the split because I felt & still feel that I played a very important part of helping it grow. I don't want a pat on the back for that but it would be nice if people recognised.

What are the best events you’ve played at?
This question is so boring!! Every interview I do they ask it. Every rave/party I play at whether there's 10,000 people of 100 people are great. At the end of the day I am here to entertain people & it doesn't matter where it is as long as there's people there to listen to the music. That's what it's all about - The people & the music.

What's your favourite place to play and why?
My favourite clubs are Camden Palace & Fabric. They are just wicked - if you have been to those venues you will know what I'm talking about!

What’s your all-time favourite track?
My favourite all time track is Gwen McRae "Givin' All My Love". I have lots of favourite tunes but to many to list. I also really like "The Smurf" by Tyronne Brunson - bad tune for the time it was made.

When did you get in to producing? What was the first track you made and what equipment was it made on?
I started making tunes in 1989. The first track I made was called 'Jepron'. This track was later remixed by Carl Cox & was a big tune for the time. Again it was a breakbeat influenced track although it was a drum machine rather than a breakbeat but still, all the same, it had the elements there. The break has always been a part of my life & always will be. As for the equipment.... shit, I can't remember what I used!! I think it was even before Atari had their software sorted!! I'm not sure. I know there was a keyboard & all the sounds were from a drum machine & a keyboard. No sampler was used at all.

Which of your own tracks are you the most proud of?
All of them. Even the shit one's. Why? Because I have learned from them all. Every time I go in the studio I just vibe. If people like it then great but if they don't then kool. The day I start making music that I'm not comfortable with is the day I will have to hang up my boots.

When all the crappy hard sounding Drum n Bass was around, the industrial sound, I never made it 'cause I couldn't vibe from it. So I just carried on doing what I was doing in the knowledge that the music would come around again as it always does. When you are young you don't realise that but when you get a bit older you clock that. For example, most of the tracks that are in the charts are covers of tracks that were out years ago but the kids wouldn't know that as they are to young. But they will find out.

Your event, Devotion, is just over 2 years old - how do you feel its progressing in the rave scene, and where are you planning on taking it over the next 2 years? More B2B specials? More Sunday events?
Yeah, we think we have built the night nice & slowly. We didn't go straight in for the big one. We did small clubs & then joined with promoters to cover their Drum n Bass rooms.

Then we joined up with Pyromaniacs to host our 2nd Birthday Bash at Bagleys Warehouse - it was an amazing night! A BIG BIG thank you to all those who attended - & to those that missed out, you missed a great night. We are the first people to put that many artists in one venue in one night. Our next event is going to be held @ The Shepards Bush Empire on Friday 28th March 2003. This is a new venue for Drum n Bass & if you haven't been there before then you have got to make it to witness the start of something fresh for Drum n Bass. We have Grooverider, Andy C, Skibadee, Nicky Blackmarket, IC3 & Brockie booked & confirmed already! With more artists to be confirmed very soon, the night should be massive so check out the flyers that will be out before New Years Eve.

What do you see yourself doing in 20 years?
I see myself still playing & making music. My old skool sets will probably be back to '2009'...ha ha!!! I honestly can't see myself doing anything else. It's like breathing. You need to do it to survive. It's in my blood.
 

DJ Phantasy's Links to Fantazia

DJ Phantasy played at a number of Fantazia events including:

Fantazia Summertime
Fantazia New Year 93 (Australia)

Copies of his sets can be bought here