John 00 Fleming: Surviving Lung Cancer To Become a Global DJ
Author: Benedetta Ferraro
Sunday, March 3, 2002
Surviving lung cancer aged 20 , John "00" Fleming has gone on to become one of the world's most popular DJs, spinning trance and hard dance music to an ever growing army of fans around the globe. 20 years into his DJ career he's plated at all the UK's principal superclubs like Gatecrasher, Godskitchen and Ministry, though is ironically better known outside the UK in countries like Israel, Australia and Ireland. Taking time out from preparing for an Australian tour, he chatted to Skrufff's Benedetta Ferraro this week about his new compilation album White Label, his favourite place to DJ (Israel) and the wisdom that he gained from his battle to beat cancer.
"I'm the living proof that if you really want something you can get it; I was literally given three months to live."
Skrufff (Benedetta Ferraro): You started DJing at the age of 15 and you haven't stopped since. What first turned you on to it-
John '00' Fleming: "When I got into it, it was just an unsociable job, but I had a huge passion for music and for collecting records, so it seemed natural to me. It was so different back then. Today DJs are the new pop stars and kids think of it as one of the most glamorous careers possible. I had collected all these records and when the chance came up to play a gig at Stern in Worthing, I took it and never looked back. All in all I was there for ten years and I've been DJing ever since."
Skrufff: You were around during the hey days of acid house, playing with likes of Carl Cox at illegal parties. Whereas Cox took the techno route, you went for trance, one of today's most hated musical genre…
John '00' Fleming: "It's only hated in England though. The media hyped it up then knocked it down, although I consider the music media in this country generally informative and pretty good. I believe that the punters should have their right to express how they truly feel. I've already seen a big change in club land this year with clubbers dancing to the music they like, regardless of the trends imposed on them. Look at Gatecrasher, they tried to change their music policy and it backfired on them. I miss the good old days when people were dancing all together and having a good time without thinking about these stupid divisions. The promoters need to more clued up and not to be swamped by what the magazines say."
Skrufff: Why has trance been so singled out-
John '00' Fleming: "I think it needs to be brought down to the journalists who actually write these things. I mean, are they clubbers- You'll probably find that a lot of them aren't. The other factor is that many writers, as specialists, take on a very purist attitude, which interferes with their judgement."
Skrufff: You're also a regular reviewer for 7 Magazine and a columnist for M8. What made you take that on board-
John '00' Fleming: "To me it was just a matter of making a telephone call to them, I never 'applied' for a job as a writer, but I realised that my style of music was neglected so I offered to cover it. The column came because I was writing a diary, which later grew into a monthly column. I enjoy doing it, as I enjoy reviewing records since it can be incorporated into my job as a DJ. I actually review only records I like, since I believe there's no point in putting a record to review in the hands of a writer who likes different things."
Skrufff: You're extremely popular around the world, where do you enjoy playing the most-
John '00' Fleming: "Israel. The parties there are fantastic, and because my roots come from Goa trance, I find that the Israelis really appreciate that sound. There's a very healthy scene over there."
Skrufff: How safe is it to play there now-
John '00' Fleming: "I was there just three weeks ago. I'm not b Tags