Who: DJ SS, Grooverider, Spit Kingdom & Twisted Individual
What: The World of Drum ’n’ Bass Tour
Where: Garfinkel’s
When: Tuesday, March 16
Tickets: $22 - $25
This is big. This is really big. As big as the knee-melting basslines that define the drum ’n’ bass sound.
For those that groove to the deepest downright dirtiest beats this is as big as it gets.
The most influential artists producing and performing the intense underground sound known as drum ’n’ bass have decided that Whistler was worth a stop on their multi-continental World of Drum N Bass tour.
The tour de force behind the tour is none other than DJ SS, who came by this way back in October 2003. Apparently he liked the vibe of the tight JnB community that gathers every Tuesday to groove to the sounds of local residents Jungle Souldier and Plastic Surgeon, along with an all-star guest list that has included The U.K.’s Perfect Combination, Toronto’s Freaky Flow, The Freestylers, Aphrodite, Krafty Kuts and more.
Whether he likes it or not, SS is most commonly referred to as a pioneer of the movement, producing and progressing with the sound as it grew out of infancy in the early ’90s. He held on through the dark, intense period, which sustained only the most die-hard junglists, and watched it get resurrected with a funk and dancehall reggae infusion to become danceable again.
SS continues to produce and innovate via his Formation record label, all the while supporting up and coming innovators, such as tour member Twisted Individual.
Included in the tour camp is Grooverider, referred to as "the godfather" for his incredible 17 years in the drum ’n’ bass game.
The tour is rounded out with the high-energy three-man tag team known collectively as Spit Kingdom, and singularly as beat-boxer Killa Kela, DJ Skeletrik and MC Trip.
The pioneer, the innovator, the godfather, the beatboxer the DJ and the MC. The drum ’n’ bass nation is on Whistler’s doorstep this Tuesday and it’s not at some super colossal outdoor venue but downstairs at Garfinkel’s. It’s a chance to see those at the forefront of the underground, literally underground.
Doors will swing wide at 8 p.m. with opening sets by residents Jungle Souldier and Plastic Surgeon.
Tickets for the World of Drum N Bass tour are $25, available in advance from the Dirty Beats record store, the Electric Daisy Internet Cafe and Blueballs Boutique, more at the door.
For more information on the World of Drum N Bass Tour call 604-906-0282.
