FutureActive

futureactive

...written and compiled by spank.

twelves | platter patter | monkey mafia | john '00' flemming

Whilst former partner in crime Derek Dahlarge was off doing his now infamous ‘Lost in Ibiza’ this summer, Jon Carter had his mind on other things. In fact, he went all conscientious on us. Carter released a stunning debut album, toured relentlessly with his 7-piece band and still managed to fit in the odd DJing stint. Nice work fella! Today is probably not the best day to do an interview. Beside Carter sit an array of cardboard boxes harbouring samplers and other pieces of electrical gadgetry. The look in the eyes says it all. Its like a child longing to open his Christmas presents. Carter’s mind is off somewhere else, and for once not due to narcotic abuse. But heh! When all else fails, reel him in with all-out blatant flattery...

When you DJed with Norman Cook at the Boutique he said that it was DJs like you that made him think he should give up and go home. Who are your DJ heroes?

Funkmaster Flex rocks due to the way he cuts and slices the tunes. Johnny Moy, who regularly DJs down at the Heavenly Jukebox, hits all the right buttons and Deep Dish can do no wrong at the moment. The DJs we’ve had in the band are pretty good. Krash Slaughta is still around but a bit of a floating member due to his new project the 2-Tone Committee and DJing in Ireland. First Rate from the Scratch Perverts is doing a fine job filling the gaps.

Was the ‘Shoot the Boss’ album all you hoped?

At the end of the day you only put together something that you would want to hear. People have commented that it sounds very ‘black’ to me. Fair enough. All music produced today that has any relevance to me or you derives from black music. What was good for me was that it managed to encapsulate three years without sounding incoherent. It is an album, not a selection of 12’s. I’ve already got plans for the new album. I would like to work with Freddie McGreggor, who has a gorgeous voice, and Monkey Mafia are currently looking for a new female vocalist.

When you put the album together it was pretty much a solo affair. How smooth was the transition from solo creator to band member?

Working with others stimulates new ideas and change. Everyone has a chance to put in their own input but I suppose at the end of the day its ultimately my final decision.

You’ve got a reputation for being a bad boy. What’s your favourite Jon Carter story, whether fact or fiction?

Everyone likes a few drinks now and then. I am not as bad as people make out.

What about the story Mekon told us about when you tried to spin Cleo (Lead Singer, Agent Provocateur) around by her hair?

Someone spiked my drink with ketamin. I was all over the place - I didn’t know what I was doing. It wasn’t my fault.

And that time at the Heavenly Social and you were so out of it Richard Fearless had to put the records on the turntable for you?

I still mixed them perfectly

And the...

I think that’s all about I’ve got time for.

As we leave the building, all that can be heard is the frantic ripping of cardboard boxes and the clanging of polystyrene blocks hitting the floor. Jon Carter’s Christmas has come, and with all these presents, maybe he wasn’t such a bad boy this year after all.

Monkey Mafia’s outstanding ‘Shoot the Boss’ album is currently available on Heavenly.

Spank

Back to contents page.

All original text and images are ©2003 RetroActive Baggage, and may not be reproduced, either in print or electronically, without prior written consent of the publishers.
<