Machete - Medium Radio - May 2001

Biography of Machete

Machete has been mixing for over seven years in the Los Angeles underground scene. His humble beginnings as a 'raver' in1991 brought him to the realization that electronic music would play a major role in his life. Formerly known as DJ Rob G. Machete began spinning Hip-Hop at infamous after-hours such as What? and No Doz. Inspired by friends and peers like RAW and Oscar Da Grouch, Machete's skills rapidly improved. 'I've always felt that scratching and mixing records came naturally ever since the first time I touched turntables.' Gigs were sparse but Machete kept practicing while regularly attending raves on the weekends. Although his musical tastes varied, it was the harder-edged Breakbeat Techno that Machete gravitated towards. 'I remember going to parties to hear RAW play a 'Jungle' set. It seemed like we were the only ones dancing, and as soon as he finished we'd leave.' Between 1993 and 1994, Jungle emerged as the motivational force behind Machete's musical career. Around the same time Junglist Platoon was formed, which included DJs Oscar Da Grouch, Scooba, Clutch, and No-Face. They began promoting their name via stickers and t-shirts. 'It wasn't until late '95 that I decided to change my professional name to Machete. I still loved Hip-Hop, but I could no longer deny the feeling I got from playing and hearing Jungle tunes. It was inspirational.'

Machete credits DJs RAW, Curious, Oscar Da Grouch, Josh Swissman, and Heretic, as well as the original MC Questionmark, for being the pioneers of LA's Drum'n'Bass scene. 'No one can deny that the Junglist Platoon has been there every step of the way.' Over the past four years Machete has brought his name international recognition by traveling over seas to Europe, as well as Djing in cities across the United States, from San Francisco to Seattle, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, Houston, Washington DC, and even Hawaii.

Machete has headlined many events, such as the Kung-Fu Knowledge Tour, with well-known artists such as Rob Playford, Grooverider, Jumping Jack Frost, Goldie, Kenny Ken, Ed Rush, LTJ Bukem, MC Conrad, Marvelous Cain, Swan-E, Dr. S Gachet, MC Fearless, DJ Hype, J Smooth, DJ Dara and many others. Machete has recently helped start the Jungle weekly 'RESPECT-Drum & Bass' in Los Angeles and is one of their resident DJs. He is also currently working on tracks alongside the rest of the Junglist Platoon crew. Machete and the Junglist Platoon continue to make headway as LA's premier Jungle outfit, branching out into studio production with upcoming releases on Turnstyle Records and Cal-Tek Recordings, as well as promotions for weekly and one-off events, the Junglist Platoon clothing line, graphic design, and mix tape and CD releases.