Rob Tissera on Gangstas, Selling Used Cars and Tony de Vit

"Of all the DJs out there, Tony De Vit is the only one who I definitely look up to, because he always had a sense of ethos. I met Tony on a few occasions, maybe 15 times, and I always had an instant rapport with him. Everything he did, from the way he conducted himself as a person to the way he played and entertained the crowds, always impressed me."

Like Fergie, BK and almost every other top rank hard house DJ, acid house pioneer Rob Tissera is more than happy to pay tribute to the Godfather of the genre, even admitting he practically worships him.

"I'm still in touch with his dad Ray, who's also a fantastic guy and hesent me a framed picture of Tony two or three Christmases ago which hangs proudly here on my DJ room wall, so Tony is watching over me," Rob told Skrufff this week.

"It's quite funny because on occasions, and I've said this to Ray as well, I sometimes look up at the picture and say 'Right Tony, is that good enough-'"

Judging by Rob's latest profile-raising deal with Nukleuz Records' DJ agency, Tony De Vit wholeheartedly approves, as does Rob.

"I have now my own personal agent, if you like, who looks after all of my affairs not just as an agent, but all aspects of my personal life. This makes my life an awful lot easier, because it frees me up to concentrate on the creative angle of my career and on top of that I'll be working with Nukleuz," said Rob.

"I'm still very ambitious and I'd love to play more around the world, there are still places where I haven't been like Japan in particular, but I'd also like to do more in the US ."

Skrufff: Last time you spoke to Skrufff you talked of still specialising in funky house, does the Nukleuz hook-up represent an increased commitment to hard dance in your behalf-

Rob Tissera: "My commitment in general is to play good music. I really love to play hard dance and I also love playing funky house and house music in general. I'm a music lover and I love to play what to me sounds as best quality music, whichever the label. Versatility makes an excellent DJ. The night I run with Danny and Tony from Sundisessential, called Funkisessential is proving me right because it's a big success."

Skrufff: Your forward DJ bookings dates on your website also show you're always solidly booked, what do you make of the state of the dance scene right now-

Rob Tissera: "Undoubtedly the overall market has shrunk because of what's available to people, such as music being downloadable from the internet and a wider choice of nights out, such as live rock gigs suddenly becoming fashionable again.. I still feel that there is a very thriving scene out there but you have to stay current with what is happening and bring in new ideas. The hard house audience still loves going out and is as strong as ever if not more so. It's funny because hard house has always been neglected, especially by radio, but I can see the media are slowly picking up on it."

Skrufff: Your website biog also talks of you mingling with clubbers rather than propping up the bar in the plush VIP area' do you see a genuine gap these days between most DJs and the clubbers-

Rob Tissera: "It's not as bad as it used to be but it did get to that situation and with some DJs they still would rather hang out in the VIP room. I believe it's very important never to loose touch with reality and stay grounded. I'd like to think that I'm pretty much the same person as I was when I started out and basically I'm always damn happy to be on the dance floor having a good time. Don't forget that this is a career most people would die for, and I'm doing it."

Skrufff: You're also a big fan of gangster films, have you encountered many real life gangstas throughout your career-

Rob Tissera: "I've met a few, yes, clubland is a crazy place and you don't really expect to meet these kind of characters, but often you do. Sometimes you find yourself in scenes straight from a movie with a safe Tags

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