West London’s Audio Bullys–DJ Tom Dinsdale and MC Simon Franks–lay down dance tracks with punk, reggae, hip-hop and funk influences. It’s a sound best described as a combination of Madness, the Kinks, Stone Roses and Basement Jaxx. Sound crazy? It all makes sense when they crank it out live.
MixMag magazine named your new release, “Ego War,” the No. 1 album of 2003. Did it feel good to kick everyone else’s ass?
It just felt good to be voted No. 1. It’s not necessarily about beating everyone else, but I’m happy that [the magazine] saw it as that good.
Do you feel like you sold out by putting your song “Snake” in a Toyota ad?
I don’t see putting your music in an advert as selling out. It’s for the exposure and for the money. If it was for Tampax, that would be one thing. I wouldn’t put my tunes in something stupid.
There are always a couple of people who stand still rather than dance at DJ concerts. Does that freak you out?
Not at all … (though) I don’t like the people who just watch–you’re like, “do something.”
