An Interview with The Dead Guys

by Neil Carr

Well possibly one of the most anticipated interviews from the World of Remixing. Arrangers often mention these guys as being there favourites. Well lets see what they had to say.

Name: Peter Aid

Codename: DrDoom

Nationality: Swedish

Birthyear: 1975


Name: Tomas Nystrom

Codename: Komatr:ohn

Nationality: Swedish

Birthyear: 1974

Interview date: 10 September 2001


Neil

What c64 composers are your favourites?

The Dead Guys

Rob Hubbard, David Whittaker, Ben Daglish, Martin Galway and Adam Gilmore

The Dead Guys
Neil

Which Sids are your Favourites?

The Dead Guys

Glider Rider, Krakout, Deflektor and Great Giana Sisters

Neil

What other arrangers do you like?

The Dead Guys

Carl (from micromusic), DJ Subslash, and Seth

Neil

How would you describe your musical style?

The Dead Guys

Creative and funny

Neil

You are the most mentioned as favourites to many arrangers within our interview pages… Why do you think that your music has made such an impact?

The Dead Guys

We started out quite early when the scene was still very small and we tend not to pick out any Sid and add drums to it and we have our own style (at least we think we do). We put a great effort to make the remixes sound proffesional in terms of soundquality.

Neil

What software/equipment do you use?

The Dead Guys

Cool edit PRO
T-racks
Atari 1040ST running Notator
Technics 1200
2* Ensoniq EPS 16
Yamaha CS-5
Yamaha EMP100 (effect)
Yamaha TX81Z
Yamaha R1000 (effect)
Arp AXXE
Korg MS-20
Korg Mono/poly
Roland SH101
Roland SH1
Roland SH3A
Roland TR606
Roland Juno106
Tama Techstar
Novation Drumstation
Some Behringer effects
Spririt Folio SX mixer

Neil

What are your fondest memories of the c64?

Komatr:ohn

I remember when I played street machine and when I first heard speechsynthesis on the c64.

The Dead Guys
DrDoom

I remember when I finished Commando 6 times in a row and then I had to leave for school.

Neil

Why did you start remixing c64 music?

The Dead Guys

Because we love good melodies and there are a lot of really good ones made on the c64.

Neil

We havn’t heard too much from the dead guys in recent times, will we be hearing more remixes from you?

The Dead Guys

You most probably will but it will take a while because we are both working on other musical projects.

Neil

What do you look at within a sid when remixing it?

The Dead Guys

It must have a funky groove, great melody. It must be remixable as in we think we might have something to add to it. That’s why we’ll never remix Commando😉

Neil

What other arrangements do you like?

The Dead Guys

IK (nokia remix) made by DJ Subslash
Last Ninja remix by Carl

Neil

Your music is heavily dance orientated, why dance?

The Dead Guys

Dancemusic is what we listen to and that’s what comes out.

Neil

How did you find the scene?

The Dead Guys

When we started we didn’t know of any scene but we got feedback and links from other people and that’s what happened.

Neil

Who do you think gives the scene the biggest boost and why?

The Dead Guys

The guys behind Micromusic (www.micromusic.net) and record companies like Rephlex and Breakin’ Records. And of course Chris Abbott.

Neil

What non c64 music do you like and does this reflect in your own music?

The Dead Guys

N-Joi, Prodigy, Cari Lekebusch, Autechre, most of the Ninja Tune artists, Depeche Mode, Altern-8, DMX Krew. There are so many artists and so little little time😉 but it sure reflects in our music.

Neil

If there was a tune you wish you could claim as your own, what would it be and why?

The Dead Guys

Edd The Duck ‘cause it’s bloody brilliant.

Neil

What are your likes/dislikes about the scene?

The Dead Guys

We really like when a remix is inventive and something else than the original. We don’t like remixes made by someone who just samples the original tune and just add drums to it.

Neil

What remix of your own are you most pleased with?

The Dead Guys

We’re most pleased with Arkanoid remixwise (because the original sidtrack is bit boring but has a really nice flow) but our favourite remix is Edd the Duck.

Neil

You have played c64 remixes Live in London. Have you played anywhere else?

The Dead Guys

Nope, but we’ve played live in other constellations.

Neil

What did it feel like playing Live, and did you manage to re-create the sound you wanted?

The Dead Guys

It felt great and the sound were quite good. Not great though.

Neil

What was the maximum persons you have played live to?

The Dead Guys

200-300 maybe

Neil

What type of reaction did you get to playing c64 remixes live?

The Dead Guys

We got some great feedback and the audience seemed happy.

Neil

Are you going to do it again?

The Dead Guys

We sure will. If someone let’s us😉

Neil

What would you say is the best part of Playing Live?

The Dead Guys

Seeing the crowd enjoying the music and having a good time.

Neil

Lastly What would you like to say to the scene?

The Dead Guys

Thank’s for all support that we’ve gotten through all the years (we’re as old as Rolling Stones right?)😉

The Dead Guys

(our own) What would you say if you we’re standing on top of a building?

Komatr:ohn

LOOK MOM! I’M ON TOP OF THE WORLD!

DrDoom

Hello!?

The Dead Guys

(our own again) What are your fondest memories of remixing a c64 track?

Komatr:ohn

When remixing Edd the Duck, DrDoom was in a real hurry because his train was leaving and he stood wearing his jacket and backpack finishing the remix.

The Dead Guys

(our own once again) Why do you call yourself the dead guys?

The Dead Guys

It was Sate (world leader and founder) who named our little amiga group the dead guys after seing a skateboard from S.M.A with a print that said dead guys and had pictures of dead guys (Elvis, James Dean and so on).

The Dead Guys

(yes, it’s our own) What’s your favourite hobby?

Komatr:ohn

Sleeping and eating chocolate.

DrDoom

Playing Quake (not quake 2 or 3).

The Dead Guys

(wow, another one?) What do you think about the questions?

The Dead Guys

They're quite good but too few. 😉

The Dead Guys

(Shut up won’t ya) What time is it?

The Dead Guys

It’s 20:42 (8:42 PM).

What ever you say about The Dead Guys they seem to have a large following of fans, something they wasn't aware of while speaking to them. No other arranger can boast such a following.

- Neil