Dj Charles Gating, New Jersey, Usa, The Official Interview

Name: Dj Charles Gatling
Age: 30 something
Born: Newark, NJ
Present Location: USA

1.For the not so clued up person in regards to the world of Soulful House and Garage, UK Underground music could you tell us how you got started in this game?

I got started in this game listening to NY's Kiss FM Mastermixes by Shep Pettibone and hanging out with Dj Camacho checking him out at the parties he use to do back in the day.

1a. Who or what had the greatest influence on what you listen to today?

My Father Charles Gatling Jr, had the greatest influence on me. Before getting involved dance music, I was a big fan of Grandmaster Flash and I use to do all scratching and backspinning. My father use to "bumrush" my room with cuts from Double Exposure, Loleata Holloway, and other hot tunes that I didn't thought back then was good. As he kept on taking over the system I started to like those songs.

1(a) Was through listen to your parents (Did they have an artists or performer that they constantly kept going on about that influenced you)

My father use to listen to all types of music like Elton John, Fania All Stars, War, Mandrill, Double Exposure, and Joe Cocker. These different types of music open my mind and I became interested in all types of music.

1(b) Was through listening at a early age to the Radio to a particular sound or artist. 1(c) Was through going to the church (being part of a choir?)

I know for a fact that "Church" had a roll in this regarding spiritual and soulful sounds that I really like to play and listen to. I use to love when the Jr.Choir would sing because they had all the great voices and energy when they were performing.

1(d) Or was it by being forced to take musical lessons that influenced your choice?

N/A

2.Who was your first musical hero? Was it Artists from the. Soul area Hiphop scene Rock/Heavy Metal scene Motown, The Sound of Philadelphia or Stax Records artists Jazz artists, Hip Hop Artist. Or just any particular artist?

There was so many great perfomers back then, but my favorite was the Isley's, Harold Melving and the Blue Notes, Diana Ross, Earth, Wind and Fire and Chaka Khan.

3.You are a DJ/Producer and a Dj? What was the first club that you played that allow you to gain vital experience to that is invaluable now! Is it still there now; and have you gone back to play there from time to time?

I've been djing for over 20 years now and I plan on producing towards the end of 2001. The first club I played in to give me experience was the JBL club in the Phillipines. I was able to play anything there but I was more towards dance music. There was a few Hip Hop songs I would blend with a instrumental just to please a few people who wanted to hear Hip Hop. This was around 1983 when I was playing a lot of Prelude, West End and other hot labels back then. The club had a variety of people meaning civilians and military, which is kind of rough because I had people from all over the world who listen to different types of music. That's when I started to play some 80s pop with dance instrumentals. I got a lot of respect from that because everyone was pleased and after a while I had a nice following that would come out to party no matter what I was playing.

4.I posed this question to DJ Cosmo(USA) first of all, a couple of years back and now I'm going to pose it to you. Have you ever been given the chance to play on any illegal Pirate Radio Show's, aboard, or in your own country? Do they serve a purpose, or have they out stayed their welcome?

I never had a chance to play on a Pirate Radio Show, but it seems like those guys do play tunes that the masses wants to hear.

5.Still on being a DJ. What would you considered to being the music that you like playing the best. USA Garage, Deep House, Disco House, Jazz House or 2-STEP Garage, Soul, Rnb or Funk or do you throw all of these music's into your set to get the best results?

I'm not familiar with 2-Step Garage music, but if it sounds good to me I will play it. Looking back I can't remember music having all these different categories. I know we have to keep up with the times, but to me its all still Underground Dance Music.

6. Are you a resident DJ some where, or do you work Freelance? (Only write down if its applies)

I dj in Orange, New Jersey, Usa, every Thursday, which is GROOVE SPACE @ CLUB 1199. I've been there since the beginning of 2001 starting out as an afterwork party and when it grew the owner gave me the whole Thursday night (Thanks Hakim). I also do a lot of private gigs for different entertainment companies.

7.For the people that are new into Garage music I wondered if you could tell us. Have you ever travelled abroad to work? ?(Only write down if its applies) Where did you play. What country? Was it a success? What is your favourite country to DJ in, and the favourite club, and why?

I played overseas before all these categories was given to this music, but it was the same sounds. Thanks to the US Navy, I was able to dj in Australia, Phillipines, Japan, and Singapore. When I was in the Phillipines for a while the JBL club owner let me dj every weekend and the other clubs I was a guest dj. My favorite spot was Australia because it seemed like that it was true partying heads when I was djing. The people really was vibing to the different mixes and tricks that I was doing.

8.The city of New Jersey, Usa and its influence within Soulful House and Garage music goes before it. Being born and bred in the city. Where you one of the lucky ones to see this music that the world know calls "Garage", develop in front of your very eyes...???

I was very fortunate to be from New Jersey and see all the developmentof house.

9. Did you ever get to see Dj's of the calibre such as Larry Patterson, Camatcho, Shep Pettibone, Kenny Carpenter and Tony Humpheries of course when they were playing in and around the clubs of New Jersey and New York all those years ago...If so what was it like to be in that sort of crowd? Which club was your favourite one to be in at that time? Where the clubbers on a real happy buzz? Where they all there to dance. and not to pose? Please tell us about the atmosphere in those days...!!

WOW, I grew up with Dave Camacho seeing him start out in parks, block parties and clubs. I was very fortunate to have Larry Patterson show me how to work a Urei mixer when I was djing at Club America back in. I would see Tony Humpheries every Saturday at Zanzibar working the system and the crowd. All these cats are still awesome and I still look up to them as far djing/producing and starting this whole trend.

10. New Jersey, Usa has produced other world famous Dj's, Dj/producers and artists within the sphere of Garage and Soulful House music that it begs disbelief. Names that spring to my mind at this moment in time are Blaze, Todd Edwards, Cassioware, Kerri Chandler, Romanthony, Smack Productions, Micheal Watford, Adeva and Dj Disciple, just to name a few. Have you ever had the chance to play along side any of them? Maybe you are friends with one or two of them. Please tell us more about your experiences about any of the listed above?

I grew up and went to school with a few. Cassioware and I are good friends thanks to Camacho, I grew up with Derrick Jenkins now BackRoom Prod. I know Pat (Adeva) from a good friend KECHIA JENKINS when I use to be their groupy. Ha ha. I had a chance to Dj with Camacho, Derrick Jenkins and Dwayne "Spen" Richardson.

12. Those artists listed above have come thick and fast over the years, but I wonder was there any rivarly in areas of New Jersey, Usa to hear your favourite Garage and House artists at clubs?

In New Jersey, Usa it was all LOVE, and most of them went to school together or grew up with each other. It was like a huge family in the House Community.

13.What is the state of play nowadays towards to the Garage and House music scene within New Jersey. Is it as good as the " Old Days". Do you yourself have a residency at the moment playing good old Soulful House music in New Jersey, USA?

Now in New Jersey, Usa its starting to pick up, but for a while it was all Hip Hop and R and B. I really think radio had a big doing with that. Its been a while that NY/Jersey radio was playing good soulful dance music. Recently one of the stations added personalitys from older stations back in the day and they started doing mix shows in the afternoon and weekends playing classics and up to date House Music. This open the eyes of other stations and now they're trying the same thing. For my residency at GROOVE SPACE, I play classics and todays House, but it was rough starting out because the people wanted to hear the same shit they heard on the radio which was Hip Hop and R and B. I really couldn't understand it until I started thinking back when I was younger and what was on the radio (which was GOOD SHIT) and later I would hear it pumping in the clubs. So I do blame today's radio for all this awful music being aired.

14. So far, what have been your most enjoyable night/s playing out (Dj wise!!)in New Jersey, or anywhere else for that matter? Are there any particular nights playing that sticks in your mind?

The best night I can remember was at Club America that night Larry Patterson showed up. He couldn't believe that I was using all 3 turntables and the crowd was out of control. Larry said he would play a little and when he got on the tables it was MAGIC.

15. House and Garage music in the Usa, from talking to a few of your fellow countrymen, isn't that well represented over the airwaves? Who's to blame for this state of play? Can this be adjusted in the future do you think? What is the state of play with regards to Radio play for House and Garage music in the city of New Jersey nowadays?

Yes, that is true but I like I stated earlier it is picking up. Radio and video shows is to blame for this madness. I can't remember the last time I saw a video with house music.

16. How does the younger generation in New Jersey see House and Garage music? Is it given much attention by them like when you where young? Or does other music's take up their occupation from what you can see?

These kids nowadays don't have the exposure like we did, which is not good because the music that is being played now is GARBAGE. All you hear is materialistic, degrading and weak bullshit. Its really not the kids fault. I have a younger crowd that comes to the club and some do accept House Music. If they hear it more and I know they would like the sounds of House.

17.If I were to come over to New Jersey, USA next week. Where would you point me to, to go and hear some good "Old House and Garage music". What clubs or music venues are doing it for Soulful House and Garage music in the Chicago?

I would point you to my spot (GROOVE SPACE), Club Eclipse and The Arena.

17a New York city isn't that far away from New Jersey. Did many clubbers from New York used to party in the Zanzibar in its hey day? Was the Zanibar the club of New Jersey to be at...???

I know for sure a lot of New York heads use to hang out at the Zanzibar. Every time when I was hanging out downtown Newark on the weekends there was always a car load of people with NY plates asking for directions to Zanzibar.

18.Englands presence in the world of Soulful House world and Garage, is important. It helped popularise the New Jersey Garage sound more than any other country in the world. Have you ever visited the Uk before and witnessed its club culture?

Unfortunately I never made to the UK, but I have invites to come out and dj soon.

19.London, England at the moment is going Garage and House crazy. Its everywhere, and the buzz has spread around the Uk.In fact the city of London, has created a new sound that fuses traditional Usa House and Garage styles with other myrids of music's. It has led to a new hybrid within Garage and House music which is called, "2-Step Garage". Has this style filtered in the streets of Chicago yet? Have you heard any of this music through music t.v programes at all..??

Not that I know of, but I probably heard it and didn't know what it was.

20.Changing the subject. Do you still do your own stint of record shopping or hunting? Or do you leave it up to being supplied by labels, etc to keep you up to date? When you play out? (If you play out) A lot of DJ's nowadays survive by living of what given to them by Record labels of all shapes and sizes. What about you. Does this apply to you?

I stopped djing for a while around 1993-1999 and didn't think I would ever get back into it so I sold all my equipment and records. Around 1999 I started to buy records again trying to make up for lost time and also recover the tunes I sold. I don't depend on promos, so I get out there shopping for new cuts and also do some ordering on the internet.

21. When you are playing out in a club with regards to "mixing". Do you prefer to use a style of "blending" when you playing out; or are you a person who like to jump straight in and out of a track without warning! What styles do you like to use?

I like to blend songs for a while and as soon as one is fading I will have another coming in. I do different tricks with mixing to keep it interesting and make it more exciting especially with effects.

22. In England we are led to believe that most American DJs play the long, long sets that are given to DJ's such as Danny Tenglia? European DJ's can only dream of at places like the "Tunnel" and Twillo" in New York, etc, etc. Here the customary 1 to 2 hours are what is given out to most European DJ's can get! Within your clubs past and present, have you been allowed to play for as long as 4/5 hours per set?

As a guest in another club I usually get around 2-3 hours and at my residency I have other djs to help because it can get rather long (7.5 hours).

23. Once again changing the subject again. Did you appear at this years Winter Music Conference (2001)? It has become the place where once a year DJ's from all over the world predominantly from the House and Garage World to meet up. Was it better then ever? Have you ever been before?

No, I never had the chance to attend the WMC.

24. Currently what you buy today as labels go..Have you a favourite? One that you always stop by as you flick through the piles of records in your specialist record shop (House and Garage wise)?

I really don't have a favorite label, but there is a few that I know to grab because I know it will have something hot.

25. Deep House music maybe isn't your cup of tea? However, this form of House music is probably the most followed style in House and Garage music worldwide. And yes this style of House was created in Chicago. Are you a lover of this style of House music? Do you listen to tunes from the labels such as Naked-Music, Grayhound, Wave, 20/20 vision, Paper, Trackmode, Claireaudience? The West Coast of America is really making every body sit up and takes notice with their brand of Deep House. Labels such as Grayhound, Naked Music and Panhandle records are making the city of San Francisco, Usa have caused waves. But then again so has the French and German labels that are really getting everyone excited again...Please give us your views...!!

Yes, I am really feeling the West Coast style of House Music which is unique. It's really great how House Music has grown around different parts of the country with its different sounds.

26. Are you running a label of anykind? And if so, who have you got signed to the label? Any important Releases that we should keep a look out for? Please tell us...!!

No, I really don't think I have the patience for running a label. I've been doing some A&R work for Wake Up Records and I have a couple of artist that I plan on doing some production work with towards the end of the year.

27. Who do you rate as one to look out for in the future (DJ Wise or Dj/producer wise!!?) Who should we keep an eye out for! From your own country? DJ/ music artist/s producer and from what you have heard or seen from abroad?

Look out for Zabrina Dix and Markos Guess. These two wonderful people has a singing voice which is incredible.

28. Have you a favourite House and Garage artist that takes precidence over all the others. Is there one Dj/producer or Dj that makes you get excitied when you mention his name? One artist that you admire in the world of Soulful House and Garage music. Please tell us ?

I admire cats Dave Camacho and Kevin Hedge (Blaze) because they have been in the game so long and they continue to do excellent work if its djing or producing.

29. Lastly, have you got any advice for any aspiring record label producer, DJ or Dj producer or club owner within the world of House and Garage. Any rules that he should adhere to!

Yes, stay focused and maintain in our world of House. With the growth of House there is Time and Space for All. Ignore the negativity and keep striving for yours.

Interview conducted by Dj Charles Gating, New Jersey, Usa

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