WHO For the past few years, west coast breakbeat hero Bassnectar has been pummelling North American dancefloors with his big bass, big sound and high energy. Led by Burning Man fixture Lorin Ashton and sometimes featuring his friends, the Bassnectar team have been forging new paths for a decade. But ever since his 2005 debut, “Mesmerizing the Ultra,” transfixed fans have been on a non-stop journey through mega mutations of old-school hip-hop, drum ‘n’ bass, dreamy dub and slamming hardcore beats.

Known for constantly expanding and changing, the San Francisco–based Ashton first started putting on battle of the bands shows in 1993. “In all seriousness those were some of the most ferocious and intense musical freak shows of my life,” Ashton says of the gigs, which featured death metal and hardcore punk. Sincere about challenging the mainstream, Ashton is currently working on Bassnetwork, which will be a discussion hub for underground news and views, “specifically addressing how to plug in and get involved in making a difference in this world.”

Meanwhile, the Om Records artist has several albums and remixes on the go, plus a series of podcasts, a mix record with Z Trip and side projects with Toronto’s iLL Gates. You get the impression a Bassnectar gig makes for one helluva steamy, bassy night.

WHAT “Omni-tempo maximalism,” says Ashton. “No rules, no limitations, all styles, all genres, all speeds, lots of heavy bass and hand-swatting beats.”

WHERE April 18 with The Chameleon Project and others at the El Mocambo (462 Spadina Av). $15 advance. Doors 9:30pm.

FAVOURITE RECORD OF ALL TIME “I couldn’t possibly choose.”

FAVOURITE RECORD RIGHT NOW “Knight of the Living Data” by LUX

FAVOURITE WEBSITE RIGHT NOW AND WHY “I check www.onegood
move.org every day.”

WHAT IS YOUR MOST SURREAL DJING EXPERIENCE? “One that sticks out is a rave in Oakland [in a] two-storey warehouse. The second storey collapsed and my friend Ray and I were in an in-between space, leaving us totally unharmed and basically alone to try to do search and rescue. Wild times.”

WHAT IS VITAL TO YOUR DAILY ROUTINE? “Would love to report that it’s stretching and exercise, but to be honest it’s internet and cellphone.”

WHAT IS YOUR RING TONE RIGHT NOW? “I keep my ringer turned off.”

WHAT GLOBAL ISSUE CONCERNS YOU MOST RIGHT NOW?
“Corporate-conglomerate takeover. Not just making a business incorporated — that seems innocent enough — but rather the toweringly unaccountable, monolithic, faceless structures that control the military, the media, the prison system, the ‘governments,’ the distribution of wealth, etc..... the ‘kings’ of the day, the ‘imperialists’ of the day, the ‘empires’ of the day.”

WHAT IS THE LAST GREAT FILM YOU SAW? “American Beauty made me cry a few weeks ago.?I also just watched a Dave Chappelle stand-up video that inspired me so much.”

WHAT ACTOR WOULD PLAY YOU IN A BIOPIC? “Unfortunately, probably Woody Allen.”

WHAT ARE YOU READING RIGHT NOW? “Went back to Al Gore’s Assault on Reason.”

Email us at: LETTERS@EYEWEEKLY.COM or send your questions to EYEWEEKLY.COM
625 Church St, 6th Floor, Toronto M4Y 2G1