An Interview With Trauma DBC
Trauma DBC aka Rob Spires hails from Cambridge, a place which is a hub of dnb activity.
An active person in our scene he not only produces but has promoted dnb events in the past, ran a radio station and currently runs a record label too. His recent work has shone and he has been releasing music on respected labels such as "Audio Danger" & "Hustlin' Beats". In the past he has worked with and had a string of releases alongside legends such as: MC Fearless, Ragga Twins, Stormin, Shaodow, Yardie, The Jungle Drummer and more... As well as having releases alongside many Up & Coming artists in the East Anglia area & London scene.
We take some time to find out more...
Thanks for talking to us! How is the COVID-19 madness treating you right now?
To be fair its not so bad because Ive been working 260-330 hours a month in Security for the Amazon Offices. I feel sorry for people who have
lost work & business though. One of my main concerns though; is my children are missing out from school. In fact all the new generation are missing out on education vastly right now & I think this is a crisis within itself. The next generations of the future are the ones who will be running the country in years to come. I feel deeply sorry for the people who have died and their families too... But something about this illness seems suspicious as in: I believe the government are using it to their advantage as the perfect excuse to implement hidden agendas which infringe upon on our human rights of freedomand financial allowance / gain.
How did you come up with the artist name Trauma DBC, and go back to the origins, how did you fall into dnb?
Ok to keep this short: I have released music and DJ'ed under the names "Noshad D" / "Noshad Defiance" / "N Defiance" / "D Boi Central" & "Trauma DBC" over the past 24 years. The "Trauma DBC" name came from an alias in 2014 that I was using on remix projects. After I had 2 bouts of major surgery in hospital (2015) I just decided to go with the name "Trauma DBC" (DBC meaning "D Boi Central") as I felt it was time for a change because my life completely changed at that point. Now I'm sticking to it (finally). My friend at school got me into the "Dreamscape" Tape packs when I was 12 (1993) and it all started from there. I bought my first tape pack and immediately at school my friend wanted to borrow the "DJ Hype" tape which I never got back so straight away learned not to loan out tapes as part of the culture back then was to borrow (steal in some ways) tapes from your friends. Quite funny times really looking back on it.
What age were you when you went to your first events and can you remember them?
I started going to Warning (Cambridge) and United Dance (Stevenage) when I was 15 years old in 1996/1997 (Pretty much the same time I got my first decks) - But before that I was going to the Junction (Cambridge) to events called "The Sauce" & "High Life" when I was 12-13 years old which were actually 13-16 year old nights which played stuff like: Snoop Dogg / House Of Pain / Robyn S / Ini kamoze / Kenny Dope & The Bucket Heads / Baby D plus loads of other commercial music. So kinda started clubbing with groups of friends from school at the age of 12. Drinking vodka in the car park before hand and going into the Junction and having it. In fact it used to be awesome because I'd see all my friends from the surrounding Cambridge areas like Cherry Hinton, Chesterton, Arbury, Romsey, Town Centre, Histon, Impington & Barnwell.
Tell us about your first DJ set up.
Soundlab belt driven turntables & a basic mixer with 2 volume faders / cross fader / Headphone output & mic input /
master out & record out phono ports / No EQ dials / Just kill switches. A basic stack system amp and 50 watt speakers!!
To be fair at the time it was a big deal to me though!! Mixing was pretty shit as I'd just started and was teaching myself; but was rinsing my small collection of vinyl regularly... Mixing tracks like "It's Jazzy" / "Pulp Fiction" / "Super Sharp Shooter" / "Peace, Love & Unity" / "Bad Ass" /
"Champion Sound" / "Quest" / "Cause & Effect" / "Warhead" / "King Of The Beats" / "Circles" Etc.
Tell us about your studio set up.
Honestly its very basic: 8 core PC on windows / 4 Terrabyte External Harddrive / Mackie RM8 Active Monitors / Tascam US122 external Soundcard / Controller keyboard with a 2 octave key span and currently running Cubase 8. Using various synths & samples... To be honest I make all my music using software only. I use the hardware for recording artists vocals for tracks and thats it to be honest. Very minimal basic set up.
If I gave you £10k, what would you spend it on?
Probably spend it mostly on my children, buy more gym / Martial Arts equipment / Bodybuilding supplements / buy some studio equipment, go on holiday and probably save the rest haha... Im quite boring like that.
You were running "Double Trouble" and "Mighty Out Break" from 2008. Tell us about these and some of the artists that passed through.
Initially Double Trouble was: Sublow / N1 & Dan D - Mighty Out Break was Ridagator & I... After meeting up playing at different events in the East Anglia area we all teamed up and started putting on events together. We booked artists regularly like:
Simon Bassline Smith / Bassman / Eksman / Twisted Individual / Trigga / Shabba / Stormin (RIEP) / Harry Shotta / Sly / Crissy Criss / Nicky Blackmarket / Logan D / Dominator (RIEP) / Blackley / T<I / Jimmy Danger / Fearless / Shaydee / Garry K / Presha / Juiceman / Yardie / Swifta / Shimon / Hazard / Taxman / Fatman D / Shortston / Evil B / Foxy / Ruffstuff / Savage Rehab (Saxxon) / Swifta / Majistrate / Herbzie / Det / Skibadee / Kenny Ken / G Dub - Plus masses of Up & Coming artists from all over the country.
These events were pretty big catering to crowds from 300 to about 800 people at a time and were at various different venues in places like: Southend On Sea / Bury St Edmunds / Cambridge / Harlow & Newmarket.
Rapture FM & radio broacasting was a big part of your life too right?
Yes. My friends Joe90, Anacabana & I set up and ran RaptureFM in Cambridge together for 6 years, starting back in 2006. We were one of the first internet stations out there who broadcasted through real time video. Without knowing it we had pretty much pioneered an idea and we also used to do live broadcasts of raves & festivals too... We had quite a few big names pass through and perform: Twisted Individual, Stormin (RIEP), Shaodow, DJ Vapour, Lunar Shift, Apply The Breaks, Jimmy Danger / Sebadee / Joe Black / Professer Green & Dan T as well as having a huge team of residents playing on a weekly schedule... The music we pushed was: DnB / UK Garage / House / RnB / Hip Hop / Breakbeat / Grime. We had listeners all over the globe and were running events around the region off the back of it too. It was good because we gave so many bedroom DJ's their first ever platform & opportunities to broadcast to an audience and have gigs and off the back of that and I still see them now working in the music scene today.
I worked as a resident Bi-weekley on Friday nights at Cambridge 105FM for 3 years as a presenter & DJ too. I also worked for short spaces of time on Rough Tempo & Cre8DnB... Had quite a few interviews and features on BBC Cambridgeshire over the years as well as making guest appearances and doing random shows on stations like: Shotta TV (Preston) / Origin FM (London) / Wax FX (London) / Cardiff FM (Cardiff) / Smoke FM (London) / Intobeats (Bedford) / Global Energy TV (Camber Sands) / Illusive FM (Bury St. Edmunds) / Fens Radio (Cambridge). Also going to Blackley's with Stormin' (RIEP) / Swifta / Linden D / Coda and Jimmy Danger on quite a few occasions to play on Ruthless Soundz was quite memorable too... Can't remember if there was anymore... Lots of management, presenter & DJ work in the broadcasting sector spanning over the past 14 years.
Free download below - Sample of live radio show on Ruthless Soundz featuring - Trauma DBC (Noshad D) / Stormin' (RIEP) / Swifta / Linden D.
You have releases accross labels such as Audio Danger, Hustlin' Beats and Cutting Edge Soundz. Which ones have been your most successful?
All have been successful. "Audio Danger" has featured a wide variety of artists like; Zen / Utah Jazz / T<I and also many artists who are
now coming through into the big leauges of DnB; Coda / Saxxon / Jaxx / Flat T / Cabin Fever / Masker / Magenta / Sublow & more. I was lucky to feature on the "Hydra EP Part 4" which was a massive various artists release & then had my debut "Disgusting EP" released on there in March earlier this year which was epic. Four of my own tracks alongside a remix from Jaxx (Natty Dub / Train Recs / Zombie Records) - "Hustlin' Beats" has been great. Working with The Jungle Drummer / MC Fearless & Simbad Fresh aka Knightmare 2 Fresh on releases has been absolutely amazing. "Cutting Edge Sounds" has been ace too. More of my darker Techstep solo stuff has been released on there a while back.
Disgusting EP (Trauma DBC with a remix from Jaxx)
To The Top (Trauma DBC / MC Fearless / The Jungle Drummer / Knightmare 2 Fresh)
You recently came in as a runner up in the "Atmomatix Label Remix Competition". Tell us about this.
I saw the competition come up on Facebook. So I researched the original track which is "Missing You" by "Counter Culture" on "Atmomatix Records" and really liked the vibe and thought; I'd like to give it a go. It's nice to do a remix once in a while as it take the edge off creating from scratch and you get to have a play around with what another artist has created. When I remix tracks I like to keep the original essence but put my own twist on it so it sounds similar but completely different at the same time. I came in the top four alongside 2 other runners up: "Embers Of Light" & "Sabotor" and the winner was "Qua Rush". To be fair I was happily surprised when I found out as I certainly wasn't expecting to be one of the runners up. Ive done pretty well in competitions before. But not become a runner up so this was a great sense of acheivement.
You have your own label "Urban Veteran Recordings", what's in the pipeline for 2020?
To be honest the label has been quiet for while. It has been running for nearly 9 years and has featured some great artists like: Ragga Twins / MC Stormin' / Damageman / Cabin Fever / Linden D / Simbad Fresh aka Knightmare 2 Fresh / Illtaktix / Vengeance / Mr Melta / Kosh aka Makzwell Skott and a few bits from myself too. But for now and the near future there will be some material from Ill Dynamics / Philthy / Vaga D & MC Propa Tee to follow soon. They have submitted some great tunes so really looking forward to getting these out there when the time is right.
Tell us about your residencies and sets at events, and which ones have been your most memorable?
I was a resident DJ at Dan Shabba's event "Sticky" (Scala/London) & "Sticky Fridays" (Opera House/Tottenham) for about 3 Years. A resident DJ at "Hysteria" (Bristol/Birmingham/Coventry/Leicester/Norwich/Newmarket) for about 4 years and played at quite a few Random Concepts (Northampton/Bristol/Newquay) in the RCA Rooms for a couple of years too. As well as playing at Warning & Twice As Nice (Hip Hop Sets) at "The Junction" (Cambridge) quite a few times. I was resident DJ at "Nusha Bar" in Cambridge doing 6 gigs a month for 5 years (playing Breakbeat / Hip Hop / RnB / UK Garage / Drum & bass) plus I was a resident at "Ishca Bar" Cambridge for 2 years playing twice a week too. I played at an "Innovation" Event in Hastings once which was pretty cool. Played at Global Energy (Camber Sands) which was huge. Then I've also played at many small events all over the country plus some smaller festivals too. As well as absolutely loads of the Double Trouble / Mighty Out Break / Push / Rampage events too. Played at tons of illegal raves in forests / fields / barns / warehouses / under bridges / empty shops & empty houses as well. In the period between 2009-2014 I spent pretty much every single weekend playing in: London / Birmingham & Bristol...It was those 3 Cities where I spent most of my time during that period. I was DJ'ing most weekdays in Cambridge at my residencies playing Breakbeat / RnB / Reggae / Hip Hop however. This was my basic DJ income.
But: I think one of the most memorable events I've ever played at was: "Moondance NYE 2011" at Hidden in London. Main room set with MC Linden D on mic duties under my old profile: Noshad D. It was an old skool set (95-97 tunes only on vinyl) 5-6am. It was absolutely rammed and the vibe was insane. Out of doing probably well over a few thousand gigs in my career... This is the most memorable. Sound system was amazing. Monitor set up was spot on. Crowd was seriously going crazy from start to finish and had some big props from the promoters other artists on the night!
In fact there is another one: It was in a huge tent at a festival in Peterborough... Played a 3 hour set on vinyl to a sea of festival go-ers on a hot summers day which was just absolutely crazy from start to finish. Linden D got me both of these bookings.
How do you find being a parent and juggling a music career?
To be completely honest both my Daughters live with their Mothers so I see them both once or twice a week each and do the best I can for them. So I fully appreciate and respect both their Mothers for doing most of the work but I ensure I provide and I always will do. I love spending time with them. Its my favourite thing ever in the whole world. I will do anything for them and will always be there for them as a Father.
If you could only take 1 track on a desert island, what would it be?
Some of these questions are virtually impossible... "Night Nurse - Gregory Isaacs".
If it has to be DnB I'd say: Screamer (VIP) - Ram Trilogy. The production, music, funky rhythm & techniques are insane!
Which artists inspire you most?
Producers: Prolix / Gydra / Audio / Hazard / Ed Rush / Heist / Shy FX / Dillinja / Bou / Noisia / Danny Byrd / Original Sin / Black Sun Empire
DJs: Randall / Andy C / Bryan G / Kings Of The Rollers / Brockie
If you could collab with one artist who would it be and why?
Prolix beacause his production just literally astounds me. I dont think I need to explain why. Just listen to his tunes. They are insane!!
The shuffling drum patterns and twisted bass sounds are crazy... Anticipation in the build ups with hard hitting mind shattering drops equals
the ultimate party experience in my opinion.
What do you love about the www.jungledrumandbass.co.uk website the most?
I love the smart slick look. Very important. Its well presented and clean. The information is straight to the point. All the tabs have
excellent & relevant information and it is an asbolute goldmine of information. Up to date news on events / music and artists.
What more could you want to be fair! Proud to have my free "Cognitive Domains EP" featured too which is included in the free tunes section below.
What do you like doing in your spare time?
Hitting the gym 3 times a week if possible (Leg Day/Push Day/Pull Day) / Martial Arts (Shotokan Karate/Muay Thai Kickboxing/Boxing/Kung Fu) / Studying Nutrition / Going for a Sauna / Watching documentaries on Philosophy & Psychology / Studying the teachings in Buddhism /
Going on bike rides in the countryside / Travelling / Cooking / Playing practical jokes on people.
You're a qualified NVQ level 3 personal trainer. Do you still do any personal training work?
I used to work at Pure Gym Cambridge for a short while. But not currently: I still like helping people out with tips and info as I feel that if I can
change their life for the bettter with basic sound info then i've made a huge difference to their life with literally minimal effort.
Its good to share knowledge and teachings. Its good to see people improve. Too many self gainers out there these days. Definitely not a fan of these types of people. Why be selfish when you can share? We learn to share whaen we are 3 years old at nursery so I dont get why people seem to want to hold all the cards. I appreciate in running a business or data protection its essential to lock away info but: to help out other people to encourage health, well being and happiness... I believe we all got to look out for one another.
Any plans to get any other qualifications?
I'd like to study further and go for a degree in philosophy or psychology as i follow these subjects quite deeply. However I think ive got enough to concentrateon for now but maybe in the future I might go for it. Not to change job or anything like that. Just to learn more. Love studying and learning... Its like food for the brain.
What other DNB MCs inspire you and why?
Stormin' was the best (and Im not saying that because we worked together quite a bit). It's because the clarity in his delivery was impeccable plus his techniques were beyond the talents of many others. A true pioneer that brought the Grime / Hip Hop & Comical Element into DnB.
Other top MC's I rate: Harry Shotta (Content) / Shabba (Flow) / Simbad Fresh & Jimmy Danger (Techniques) /
Boogieman & Johnny Kash (Crowd Hyping) / Vaga D (Radio Broadcasting) / Inja (Vibes & Messages) / Bassman (Jokes & Comedy)
Which up and coming DJs and producers do you rate right now?
Jaxx / Coda / Sublow / Damageman / Flat T / Dirty Herbert / Ruxim / Cardinal Sound / Counter Culture / Ill Dynamics / Philthy / Sabotage Crew
You love posting motivational quotes and memes! Along with a healthy diet. What are your 3 most favouite life quotes or a message to the world?
1. Forget the materialistic hype... Its pretend... Real wealth lies within the condition of your health. For yourself and those close to you:
"Health Is Wealth".
2. Always appreciate what you have; otherwise there is nothing left to appreciate.
3. Love wins over hate - All day long.
What's in the pipeline for 2020 and beyond?
At this rate with world issues... Who knows. Im clearing many hours at work so i'll continue with that. Continue being a parent. Continue bulking and building muscle. Music wise: I should be getting some more release's out there on a few different labels like "Train Records" & "Sub Heavy Audio" in the near future which is really exciting!! I did have plans but the way the world is looking right now I think strategically it's better to go with the flow rather than to have concrete plans and time scales set in place. Things just seem so up in the air in moment and I'm not feeling any urgency to release music so i'll just trust the allignment for now.
Lastly, any thanks and shouts?
First shouts are to the DnB Ravers worldwide and all my supporters...
Thanks to you guys; Ali, Michael & Lewis featuring me on your website...
Plus, big thanks & shouts to those who i associate with in music & who have helped on my life journey (in no particular order):
Scott Sublow / Jimmy Danger / Johnny Kash / Steve Vaga D / Pete Uniques / Vengeance / AA Media aka Missrepresent & The jungledrumandbass.co.uk crew / Coda / Atom / Cabin Fever / Simbad Fresh aka Knightmare 2 Fresh / Stormin (RIP) / Dominator (RIP) / Ragga Twins / Yardie / Heist / Filthy Habits / Shabba Dan / Jaydee / Damageman / Foxy / Vapour / Jamie Section 23 / Boogieman / Jaxx / Shademan / Dirty Herbert / Sabotage Crew / Linden D / Warning Crew / Dean N1 / Dan D / Red-I / Dan T / Amy Octane / Dissmiss / JDL / Ill Dynamics / Philthy / Audio Cee / Audio Danger Crew / Konkrete P (Gym Partner) / MC Fearless / The Jungle Drummer / Benny Bass / Trishna / Matt Martinez (Personal Training Tutor) / Seany aka G Money (Marketing & Gym Partner) / Swiss aka Rebirth / So-Low / George Nusha /
DJ Nyx / Fashh / Juiceman / Flat T / Johnny Slipz / NR1 Crew / Counter Culture / Atmomatix Records / Missy G / Kallista / Tomoyoshi / Scoundrel & Rough Tempo / Joe90 / Propa Tee / Elsta / Tizzik / Ben C / Anacabana / Affirmation / D Mack / KD / DJ Leeno / Rev / Saikon / Jay Promotions / Sebadee / Barney Ballare / Mr Melta / DJ Cut / Lee Hamz / Wobbla / Kosh aka Makzwell Scott / Masker / Bass Addict / Spinny / Ridagator / Huski / Heavy D / Reeality / Cardinal Sound / Little Joe & Resitance Famo / DJ Dee / Simon George / Damo Owen / Rikoshay / Triplex / Train Records / Sub Heavy Audio / Murkey Digital / Vengeance Group / Daddy Genius / Propa Tee / Tom Day (My Personal Trainer) / Sensei Jeff (ESKA) / Lucas Reali (Muay Thai Coach) / Naz Miled (MMA Coach) / Prince Khalid (Kung Fu Coach) / Uprizing Crew / Rapture FM Crew / Cambridge 105FM Crew / Tomoyoshi / Johnny Slipz / Bunnage / Insyt / Heavy D / Daddy Genius - (Sorry if I've missed anyone out).
Plus the biggest shouts ever to my super amazing super cool Children / my Family & Friends!!!
Thanks, love your attitude and you're one of the few people to thank our team, so big up... all the best for 2020 and beyond!
Thanks, love your attitude and you're one of the few people to thank our team, so big up... all the best for 2020 and beyond!
