DJ/Producer DJ Mek DJ Mek lives and works in Dublin. For the last ten years he has been the undisputed king of hip hop in Ireland winning no fewer than 5 Irish DMC championships. In the early 90's he teamed up with MC's Ri Ra and Mr. Brown and the enigmatic Sloosh to form a band - ScaryEire. This infamous bunch were promptly signed to Island Records. Their uncompromising, punk-like approach to live shows always turned a gig into an event; never failing to leave an audience well and truly gob smacked. The Irish Times 1999 "But the clear winner is old-timer DJ Mek, a wizard in a woolly hat and red beard who entrances the audience and judges alike. A true genius!". Mek has continued to use this radical approach in his solo live work, grabbing the crowd by its collective scruff of the neck and taking them on a musical journey interspersed by mind boggling, virtuoso exhibitions of his scratching skills. Bassline Magazine 1997 ."The Technic's DJ Championships are renowned for attracting curious characters who get up to all sorts of weird antics in an attempt to impress the judges". "After some excellent scratching, spin backs and breaks, he went out in a blaze of glory by setting fire to his last piece of vinyl". In 1999 Battle Royal at London's Jazz Café, DJ Mek was runner-up, just after, he knocked out Mr. Thing (Scratch Perverts) in a 60 second scratch battle, who is the current UK DMC Technics Champion 2000. He is a regular performer at many of the prestigious clubs in Dublin and London and, in recent years, has also been seen in more rock oriented contexts supporting the likes of Robbie Williams and U2. Summer 1999 saw him in New York cutting with the use of a huge bread knife, competing against the worlds best at DMC World Final. The Sunday Times 1999 "Dublin-born DJ Mek has been a cult figure on the Dublin hip-hop scene for most of 1990s, he is one of the most gifted mixers in Ireland, but he has a reputation as a loose cannon" He is currently working on his solo album which will be for release in Spring 2001, but don't be surprised if something unusual happens before autumn 2000. It will feature some very exciting guest vocalists but will essentially be a showcase for his creative talents as groove builder, producer and, of course, expert scratcher. Recording commitments have meant Mek has had to put his renowned skills as remixer on hold for now. DJ Mek album due out Spring 2001, Mekanizmz will feature Horace Andy, Bobby Gillespie, Suggs, Rodney P, Sweetie Irie, Daddy Major, Ri Ra, ScaryEire & more to be confirmed. DJ Support for the following Acts Soul II Soul, Flowered Up, U.2., Beastie Boys, House of Pain, Arsonists, Madness, Robbie Williams, MC Buzz B, Rodney P, Donnell Jones, Selector Productions & Remixes Monkey Mafia 12" & 10" - Blow The Whole Joint Up (Heavenly Records) - DJ Mek Remix - 'Decks 'n' Drugs'n'Rock'n'Roll' The Frames 12" - 'Monument' (Z.T.T.) -DJ Mek Remix Scary Eire 12" - 'Dole Q' (Eleven Records) Planet Rap Compilation - "Lost For Words" (Tommy Boy Records) - Scary Eire Turntable Mixing Competitions 1989 Northern Ireland DMC Runner-Up 1990 Republic of Ireland DMC Champion 1991 Republic of Ireland DMC Champion 1992 Republic of Ireland DMC Champion 1997 Northern Ireland DMC Champion 1997 Vestax UK Runner-Up1998 Irish D.T.F. Champion 1998 UK Battle Royal Runner-Up1999 Republic of Ireland DMC Champion 2000 Irish D.T.F. Scratching Champion Mix Tape/CD Word of Mouth/Arista Records - All Shook Up - Volume 2 DJ Mek - Frontline - Volume 1 DJ Mek - Frontline - Volume 2 DJ Mek - Frontline - Volume 3 DJ Mek - Frontline - Volume 4 - Out Now DJ Mek - Drunken Bastard Battle Style's Regular guest radio (Mix spots) shows 2FM - National Radio Ireland Choice 96 FM - London UK Power 97 - Underground Pirate Radio Ireland Midlands Radio Ireland For further information and record reviews, please email: pyrodjagency@esatclear.ie