As a DJ and producer Shem McCauley AKA Slacker has a history spanning numerous musical genres and a diverse checklist of fans throughout the business.
Originally known as DJ Streets Ahead, Shem was one of the pioneers of the UK Hip Hop scratch scene, playing alongside the likes of Tim Westwood and picking up production and remix credits beside James Brown, Roxanne Shante and Public Enemy. As a student in Brighton, England, he established various sound systems DJing alongside fellow South Coast boys Norman Cook and Carl Cox. Production success followed first as Nation 12 with "Listen to the Drummer", and then after setting up stall with musician and producer Simon Rogers as Ramp, with the singles "Rock the Discotek" and "Stomp". Both became international club classics. Shem and Simon also remixed over 80 records during this period, for artists as diverse as Sister Sledge, Armand Van Helden, Lightening Seeds, Quivver and Boy George.
Looking to establish himself further, Shem created a hybrid of his own funk roots with more contemporary house sounds under the moniker of Slacker. The first Slacker single, "Feel Space", a track that sounds as fresh today as when it was made, became an instant club hit. Shem's third single "Scared" re-wrote the rule book on progressive house, a haunting anthem with enough funk to rock any dance floor. A record deal with XL followed and "Scared" along with follow-up single "Your Face" went top 40 in the UK and achieved major international success.
On the crest of this wave, Slacker established a live show and heavy touring alongside label mates The Prodigy ensued. It was while touring that Shem rediscovered his love of Djing, and in 1998 he hit the road properly again. He has been criss-crossing the globe ever since. In this time he has enjoyed residencies at Groovejet in Miami, Orbit in Lima, Peru, Slinky in Bournemouth and Fierce in Hong Kong, earnings platinum helpings of air miles throughout the world, especially across the U.S and Asia.
During this period Shem successfully juggled his travelling with further productions, ably assisted by studio partner Simon Rogers. A slew of remixes, such as Junkie XL, Prodigy, Adamski, Moby and Bedrock - many still viewed as classics today - made the Slacker sound the most respected in the business. "Essential New Tunes", dance chart Number Ones and features on top compilations became the norm. Eager to develop their release schedule, the decision was taken to launch Slacker's own label, Jukebox in the Sky, and the singles have come thick and fast. Alongside their Northern Exposure classic, Head Honcho's "Walls of Jericho", came Slacker's "Looky Thing", played by a diverse selection of DJs including Seb Fontaine, Judge Jules, Dave Seaman and Ivan Smagghe (of Black Strobe). Head Honcho's "Medicine" is still being hammered by DJs, most consistently Sasha, two years after its release and Slacker's "Best Boyfriend", packaged with remixes by The Scumfrog and Steiger, was championed by the likes of Carl Cox and Tom Stephan. The decision to concentrate on furthering the label has paid huge rewards, setting the imprint up as one of the strongest of its genre and enjoying regular licenses from the likes of Global Underground, Bugged Out! and Ministry of Sound.
Jukebox In The Sky continues to go from strength to strength with the recent launch of a comprehensive website and webshop. Last year saw numerous Slacker original tracks causing dancefloor havoc, including breakbeat monster "Goddam Noize/Tutikinegi", and white label "Clifftop Love/Accident Chic". Shem completed a storming Slacker remix of Steiger's "Cha Cha", and the final Slacker single of 2005, "Memory Man" is to be featured on Dave Seaman's new Renaissance compilation.
2006 sees Slacker's "Resist" and Skystate's "Soundflowers EP" (also on Seaman's compilation) lined up for spring release.
Currently Shem is back on the road and covering the globe with more than ever to offer. Slacker? Far from it!
