Last Sigh: Tell us about yourself. Where are you located? What do you spin and where? How long have you been into this music scene as a DJ? What do you do when you aren't working on music?

DJ Trancid: I currently and pretty much always have lived in the city of Chicago. My sound right now can be classified as more of a harder edge techno sound. At the moment I have 2 residencies at 2 different clubs here in Chicago, one is called "mercury" which I do on Friday nights and the other is "Voyeur" in which I spin at on Saturday nights. I have been spinning  for about 15 years now, I was fortunate enough to have a friend who's father owned a club in which we used to go over on Sunday afternoons and help clean up the place. Afterwards, he would let us mess around with the DJ equipment. I do have a regular job during the time that I am not gigging, it's what really pays my bills, since DJ'ing is not a consistent means of making money.

Last Sigh: You DJ'd at the Front 242 show in Chicago in September at the Congress Theatre. How did you come to spin for that show? Your music was SUPER by the way. How would you describe what you were producing that night?

DJ Trancid: Well, fortunately enough for me, I had already knew the promoters for that party for many years. I'm not saying that that is the only reason I got the gig, because their were other DJ's opting for the opening spot on that show. But in the end, they felt that my vast experience in spinning industrial/ebm music was what made their decision final. As far as what I ended up spinning that night, well, for the opening set before 242 came on, I did a more industrial/ebm set, which included older bands such as Skinny Puppy. Bigod 20 and Armageddon Dildos to the newer guys on the scene such as Covenant and Project Pitchfork. Then I was asked to do another set again after Front 242, which was unexpected, for that set I chose to play what I normally spin, which is a harder edge techno sound.

Last Sigh: How long have you been interested in this music and what type of music and bands influence your aural creations?

DJ Trancid: Besides the fact that I currently possess more of a techno sound, Industrial/ebm is where my heart is. To this day, I can easily say that that is the music that moves me. I would say my interest for this genre of music was spawned sometime around late 1987. My love for techno on the other hand started more like 1989 or 1990. As far as bands that influence my sound, there are just too many to name, but if I had to name five they would be, in no particular order, Severed Heads, Skinny Puppy, Frontline Assembly, Kraftwerk and Front 242. But, by no means is my sound limited to just these, if I went on with influences, it would fill up too many pages of this magazine.

Last Sigh: What type of gear are you using to spin your sets? In the studio?

DJ Trancid: Well, the usual gear that I use when I spin are a pair of Technics 1200's turntables, a multi channel DJ mixer, preferably the Pioneer djm-500, and a Denon CD mixer as well. At times I like to also bring along my Korg Kaoss pad which is a real time effects processor which adds some major character to any DJ's set. As far as at home, the only extras are just some mastering equipment for when I record my mix CD's. Such brands as Aphex and Digitech as well as PC software in which I record all of my mixes into after they are recorded on DAT, just to give them the finishing touches.

Last Sigh: What do you have pressed to CD and how can our readers get a copy?

DJ Trancid: Basically right now in circulation are 2 mix CD's which can be obtained by emailing me a request for them. These are more on the Techno genre, but I am in the process of working on a fully mixed industrial/ebm CD, which will include bands from yesterday and today. My website will keep you posted on when that will be out.

Last Sigh: What's a typical night like in the life of a DJ spinning a show in Chicago? Who have you worked with down there and where are some good places for people to hear some good music in Chicago?

DJ Trancid: Well, I myself prefer spinning at rave parties..ugh, I hate using that word, but the reason for that is that promoters for these events go all out in booking the best DJ's from all over the world for one night of an amazing eclectic musical journey. It's just an experience you don't normally get from the club scene, and as far as the music that I currently play, it is where it is most appreciated as well. As far as a few of the promoters that have booked me over here are Source Productions, Universal Vibe/Digital Arts and Boogietribe. These top notch event promoters in the city. As far as clubs go down here, it all depends on what you want to listen to, luckily, there are places here for whatever you may be in the mood for. If you want to listen to industrial/ebm stuff, places like Exit, Smart Bar and Neo are your best bet.

Last Sigh: Do you have any pet peeves about the music business?

DJ Trancid: My only complaint is that it is very political, like everything else, a lot of times who you know is what is going to get you your gigs. But, I'm sure that's not a secret to anyone. Another would be the greed involved amongst DJ's. What I mean by this is the fact that if a new guy is given a chance to be in the spotlight for once to show his stuff, there will always be that "popular" DJ which will bitch and moan about why he isn't getting the attention he so needs and deserves. Oh well, c'est la vie.

Last Sigh: What is one of your more memorable experiences DJ'ing in Chicago?

DJ Trancid: it would definitely have to be this recent gig with Front 242. The fact that I got to open up for a band which I have admired for so many years and played their music as well. it was definitely an experience I will soon not forget.

Last Sigh: Do you have any advice for aspiring DJ's in this type of music?

DJ Trancid: Speaking for the whole electronic genre, you just have to put your heart into it. At first you may be discouraged because you can't match your beats, but practice makes perfect, just keep at it and eventually you will get the hang of it. Matching beats is not what makes you a DJ, what makes you a DJ, in my eyes, is developing your own style of spinning. That is where you will get noticed. The main thing is to love what you do and dedicate yourself to it as much as you can. Things will pay off at the end, and the pay may not be always in monetary value, but will be that personal satisfaction that you have accomplished your goal.

Last Sigh: Where will you be playing in the future? Any releases out or forthcoming?

DJ Trancid: As far as future gigs, I will continue to have these 2 club residencies for as long as they last. I have been booked to do an upcoming party on December 23rd here in the Chicago area. I do plan on releasing that industrial/ebm mix CD by the end of the year and well as a new techno mix CD early next year. I am also currently working on some music of my own, but, no tentative release dates on any of that material as of yet.

Last Sigh: Thanks for taking the time to do this interview with us. Any closing thoughts?

DJ Trancid: I just would like to thank all of my friends and business acquaintances for helping me out every which way that they have. My appreciation for them can never be fully shown. Also, for any updates on my gigs and releases, visit my website, you will get all the info you need there. Thank you so much Last Sigh for this great opportunity in being featured in your magazine.

You can reach DJ Trancid at the following locations:

Dj Trancid mighell (at) djtrancid.com
Neural Intoxications Productions / Globalgroove
Chicago, IL
Info: 773.443.8710
http://www.djtrancid.com