Belfast Interview with Jason Rudeboy

Moving into its tenth year and twelfth instalment, that celebration of all things old school, Belfast is upon us again. Having played at Belfast since its second chapter and run what was touted as Australia's longest running weekly techno club, Jason Rudeboy is one of Melbourne's original old school rockers. We shot him a few questions about Belfast, the past and present.

What do the Belfast parties mean to you-
They are a chance to play and hear the music I was playing when it first came out and see a lot of the old faces, a sort of trip down memory lane really.

What was your favourite Belfast gig and why-
It was one at the docks. I got to play in the main room and I slammed out all the old hard favourites like Der Klang der Famile and Sea Wolf. I feel that the music is a bit soft now in the main room.

What memories stand out for you from the era that Belfast represents-
The club I ran with Ian Spicer called 'Commerce'. In mine and many others' minds it was the beginning of techno in this city. H2O was also a resident, though there are many who falsely claim to have worked there or went there. LOL!

Have the Belfast parties changed much since their inception-
No, not really.

Do you feel that it is important to uphold and celebrate the history of the Melbourne dance scene- Is it worth reminiscing about 'back in the day' and if so, why-
It's always important to embrace the past in all areas of life, 'lest we forget'. We have Anzac day and Kiss gigs so why not have the same for dance music-

Over the many years you have been involved in the Melbourne dance music scene, how do you view and interpret its development-
It has suffered from overkill and is now almost dead. I mean what is the new scene- Techno is dead, house is old and boring, breaks are over and jungle is finished. What's new- I know… it's what I do at the B-Boy Discothèque @ Seven nightclub.

What elements of the old school days have changed/remained the same-
Everything has changed - change is the only thing that has been constant.

With CJ Boland playing at the last Belfast NYE and another old school international planned for the upcoming party (NYE). What other acts from the
Belfast era would you like to see grace the decks-
Definitely Dr. Motte and Laurent Garnier.

Could you name a few of your favourite old school tracks, those that really take you back-
Sunshine on a Rainy Day - Zoe
City Lights - William Pitt
Der Klang der Famile - Dr. Motte
Future - Mr Monday

You've spun a lot of different styles at the Belfast parties, what do you have planned for the upcoming one on May 1st-
I will be playing funk, disco and a bit of electro business - a lot of vocal stuff.
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