Danger on the Dancefloor: The Gaslamp Killer

Written by Sonia Almanza de Gambaro on Friday, 12 June 2009 20:05

The gyrating Dj onstage had onlookers staring at him -- frozen in their tracks. His wild afro headbanged in perfect syncronization with the full-bodied bassline of some psychadelicfunkaliscious 45 that I hadn't ever heard (yeah, I admit it). Half-amused at a the befuddled looks on the faces of a couple girls who must have been working as extras on "The Hills" during the day, I struck a bet with the guy next to me that the dj's sunglasses would fly off soon. They never did. That's just how cool the notorious Gaslamp Killer is.
I discovered GLK, The Gaslamp Killer, about eight years ago before he had employed the use of his now notorious moniker. Even back then his record selection was ridiculous. Whether he was catching wreck on the ones and twos at a B-Boy event or working it out at a club all night, GLK has been a danger to many a dancefloors years before he was catapulted to worldwide fame. I caught up with him recently to ask a few questions about what makes him tick. He is so intense that I intentionally wrote his answers in all caps. If this bothers anyone, go find GLK at a show near you and ask him what he thinks about it.

SOFISTICATI: How long have you been spinning records?
GLK: 12 YRS.

SOFISTICATI: You are known for your incredible selection of music ranging from the late 60's Psychedelic to the freshest new Hip Hop, what inspires you most when you select a record?

GLK: THE FIRST 30 SECONDS HAS TO BE DOPE.

SOFISTICATI: How did you get your start spinning?

GLK: FRIENDS / RAVES / MOM AND DAD BOUGHT ME A BELT DRIVIN TURNTABLE AFTER I DITCHED MY CLAREINET

SOFISTICATI: What is (are) your most memorable dj experience(s)?

GLK: LONDON PARIS ROME ATHENS AMSTERDAM TEL AVIV TOKYO SYDNEY = AMAZING CROWDS AND AMAZING CITIES ~ A MUST SEE FOR ANY HUMAN :)

SOFISTICATI: Is there any rhyme or reason to your approach in creating mixtapes? What is the Gaslamp Killer formula?

GLK: AS MANY GENRES AND TRACKS AS POSSIBLE IN THE ONE MIX.

Gaslamp Killer Records

SOFISTICATI: Can we expect to hear some Gaslamp Killer production in the future?

GLK: YES. 12" COMING SOON !!!

SOFISTICATI: Speaking of production what are you working with studio wise?

GLK: COMPUTER JAY / MOPHONO / DADDY KEV ON THE MIX!

SOFISTICATI: Tell us about the origin of your name "the Gaslamp Killer."

GLK: I GREW UP SPINNING IN THE GASLAMP DISTRICT OF SAN DIEGO ~ MOST OF THE FRAT BOYS AND BARBIE GIRLS HATED MY SHIT BUT I HAD TO KEEP ON DOING MY THING. I KILLED THEM EVERY NIGHT. HENCE THE NAME.

SOFISTICATI: Who have been your biggest influences?
GLK: MRR - ADM x TENSHUN x PORTISHEAD x RADIOHEAD x DILLA x AXELROD x DRE x JIMI HENDRIX

SOFISTICATI: What does being a Tastemaker mean to you?
GLK: PEOPLE COUNT ON ME TO BRING THE HEAT EVERYTIME.
GLK by Ani

SOFISTICATI: What are the top 5 records that you cannot get enough of these days?

GLK:
1.HELIOCENTRICS AND MULATU ASTAKE "ISPIRATION INFORMATION"
2.DAVID AXELROD 'SONGS OF EXPERIENCE"
3.RADIOHEAD "IN RAINBOWS"
4.PORTISHEAD "THIRD"
5.FLYING LOTUS "NEW SHIT"

SOFISTICATI: Where can Sofisticati readers come check you out this Summer?

GLK: THE LOW END THEORY IN LOS ANGELES EVERY WEDS NIGHT 18+ / $10 / INTERNATIONAL TALENT ALMOST EVERY WEEK, AND NON STOP HEAT BEING PLAYED ALL NIGHT BY THE RESIDENTS ... DADDY KEV x D-STYLES x DJ NOBODY x THE GASLAMP KILLER ... LOCATED AT THE AIRLINER IN LINCOLN HEIGHTS LA !!!

SOFISTICATI: Any shout outs? Or comments you have to say?

GLK: BRAINFEEDER x LOW END THEORY x HIT AND RUN x ALPHA PUP x DUBLAB x ART DONT SLEEP x MOCHILLA x ETTA STREET x LA x SD

SOFISTICATI: Thanks so much Gaslamp Killer!!

GLK: THANK YOU!

For more information about the Notorious Gaslamp Killer visit his site www.thegaslampkiller.com/
GLK Poloroids