A-Sides has long been regarded as an influential name in the development and definition of the drum n bass that we so love.  He has been in the game for many years, spinning and producing tunes that have helped serve to keep jungle here to stay.  He is the head of two major drum n bass labels:  Fuze and Eastside, both of which have released top tracks that are played out globally by top junglists.  Producing under the guises of Fate, The Vagrant, Sci-Clone, D.T,  and  Flava Unit for such well known labels as Metalheadz, Mac 2, Strictly Underground, Reel to Reel, Bear Necesities, Genetic Stress, Electra, Juice, Splash, and Brain, A-Sides is one of the more busy people in the industry.

As is the case with most well known musicians, A-Sides’ musical beginnings were humble.  He started out playing the drums in school, listening to rock, reggae and soul music.  His entrance into dance music came with his aquisition of a part time job in a recording studio.  The sounds of hip-hop and soul music influenced him to buy two turntables and start mixing records.  Keep in mind that this transition was made a full 13 years ago.  This is the definition of old skool.  He has played some massive events and some of his most memorable were Ravelation at the Wembley Arena and last years benefit party for the radio station WRVU in Nashville, Tennesee.     His success and notoriety with DJing helped pave the way for his production projects.  His studio is very well developed with his primary gear being an EMU 6400 sampler fully loaded with 16 outputs, a 266 mhz G3 Mac, Yamaha 03D Digital mixer with 24 inputs, for synths  an Acess Virus synthesizer, Korg Wavestation SR, Korg Trinity tr rack and a Yamaha CS1X keyboard. TL audio valve compression, spirit absolute 4p monitors and a Tascam Dat machine.  This large arsenal of equipment helps to explain the variety of sounds coming forth from his labels, each with their own trademark sound.  Eastside concentrates more on the jump up and rolling styles.  It could be hip-hop influenced or jazzy.  Fuze caters for the more hard, dark,diverse, experimental side of drum and bass.

Along with his on point production, A-Sides has had many other big names in drum n bass put out tracks on his labels.  Majistrate, Mission control, m.a.t.t., Cool Hand Flex, Uncle 22, Elementz of Noize, The Spirit, Embee, Mikey James, Dylan & Facs and DCruze have all dropped sounds on his labels.

Whats your favourite tune to date?

‘Warhead’ by Krust, or ‘Valley of the Shadows’ by Origin Unknown  (there are many others).

In drum and bass right now, what producers and Djs do you rank?

Optical and Ed Rush, Andy C, Roni Size and Krust, Tech Itch, Peshay, Hype & Zinc, J. Majik, Adam F, Daz,  Johnny L and anyone from my stables.  My favourite DJ's are Randall, Kemi and Storm, Andy C, and Kenny Ken.

What producers do you rate stateside?

SD in Boston, 3D and Snuggles, Sound Sphere, and Double A  and Twist (Dune).

As it always does, the conversation begins to revolve around the future of this music and the recent negativity that has arisen in relation to it.  A-Sides is optimistic, however, seeing drum n bass in the future being better produced with more technical and musical content.   His message is strong when it comes to the people complaining about the scene:  “If they dislike it, they can get out of it.  The scene is doing good and the music is better than ever.”

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