RAVE-BASS MAESTRO: RUSKO

Rusko is a force of nature. The man himself works at a cruising speed of around 110mph, knocking out dancefloor-destroying beats in a matter of hours, flying across the Atlantic to perform at the biggest dubstep raves, bopping along behind the 1210’s like nobodies business and generally working his way towards becoming the name in dance music circa 2009.

Currently hosting his own show on Radio 1xtra, and with a headlining show at our very own Halloween party ‘Night of the Living Bassheads’ this Saturday at Brixton’s Plan B, we thought we’d exchange a few emails with the new LA resident to see where his head was at…

Hyponik.com: Rusko Banton. What is Halloween to you?
Rusko: Eating so many sweets that ur sick. All I eat all day is flippin’ Skittles and Haribo and Fruit Pastilles its like the one day i can get away with it!

H.com: Have you ever battled the undead?
R: I once played 5am til 7am in Room 1 at Fabric - people were still going crazy at that time but getting out of there was a bit like a scene from Dawn of the Dead!

H.com: If you had to kill a flesh eating zombie, what weapon would you use?
R: Well I live in LA now so I guess I’d just whip out the glock and pop a cap or two!

H.com: Can zombies be sexy? Would you?
R: No way!!! But I can tell you a couple of dubstep DJs who would!

H.com: You’ll be testing out the new system at the reinvigorated Plan B in Brixton – what bombs will you be bringing?
R: I’ll be doing my usual 80% Rusko bizness - I’ve just been making mad rave shit. Its not even dubstep now, I just call it rave.

H.com: You’re on the bill with Iration Steppas, Untold, Drums of Death, Rob Da Bank, Debruit and the Greco-Roman Soundsystem – which one of these lot would you not want to meet in a dark alley?
R: Hmm… Mark Iration looks scariest but he’s the nicest smileyest guy ever. I’d probably say Drums of Death. Don’t fuck with a massive Scotsman. Serious.

H.com: How would you describe the music you make?
R: Rave. Bass-rave

H.com: The dubstep sound has moved forward super-quick in the past 3 or 4 years – where do you see it going and what do you think you bring to the scene?
R: I think it’s just getting broader and broader, theres dubstep to dance to, to smoke to, to make love to, to have a poo to - anything!! It’s so versatile. I suppose I bring the fun and just party vibes, but some musicality too and I been singin recently too.

Which producers out there do you rate and why?
Mmm Im really feeling Siriusmo from Germany. Really quirky synthy stuff. But in de dancehall its all about Redlight - smashers, serious smashers!

H.com: If you weren’t spending Halloween blowing the shit out of south London, what would you be doing?
R: I’d probably be sat on my balcony in LA with the peice in my hand just poppin’ off rounds to keep the damn kids away from my shit.

H.com: What’s the deal with your album? When can we see a release?
R: Ha ha ha I’m building the suspense eh!? Nah it’l be out early next year with Mad Decent / Downtown. It’s actually finished now we got 16 tracks and guests like Santigold and Chali 2na on there. But I can’t tell u everything!

H.com: Will you be wearing fancy dress at the Greco-Roman/Hyponik Halloween show, and if so, what will it be?
R: Wonderwoman!!! If i can find a costume!!

Sum Rusko up in 3 horror-based words…
Gruesome eww-some spew-some!

Catch Rusko performing with Drums of Death, Rob Da Bank, Untold, Debruit, Iration Steppas, the Greco-Roman Soundsystem and Hyponik DJs at the Night of the Living Bassheads - click HERE for advance tickets!