The Inflatables

THE INFLATABLES MONDAY DECEMBER RESIDENCY @ THE EVELYN

Drawing inspiration from the great funk, soul and classic rock LPs of the 60s & 70s and then fusing it with the hard-hitting hip hop records of today
What happens when six clean-cut, fresh-faced aspiring bums, I mean musicians, like those above get together and throw a big warehouse party? That's right, they drink too much and make one hell of a racket attracting the attention of the local constabulary and the wrath of the neighbours. They take a bunch of funky old records and cut them up, throwing live bass, drums and MC's over the top and assault each and every party-goer with their own manic brand of hip hop and funk. They make their 300 new best-friends (and it was precisely 300 too, I counted) groove and jump around until the break of dawn and then some. But hang on a sec, how did these six chaps get to this point? Let's take it back a touch.
You see Manchild and Mu-Gen first met whilst looking over each others shoulders into dusty record crates, then Zedsix got Manchild to move into his warehouse because he admired the man's ability to consume scotch and acquire vinyl. Jeremedy met Mu-Gen at a gig with his previous band, Debt Collector, who had in turn had heard D-Fro recording in a studio he was at. Defcon in true Defcon style just kind of appeared at some stage. Got it? Right, let's continue...
Now, as each of the seperate parts of this adventure awoke the next afternoon to a beautiful day blighted with blistering hangovers, they were all thinking the same thing - that they wanted a hamburger. Um, and that this group just might have a little more to it than they first thought, I guess. From a group that just got together to bash out a few hastily convened tracks, something big was spawned ladies and gentlemen. Something a little different, something fresh to make all this gibberish blend into nothingness because all that matters is the funk. And when that funk that hits you, you'll find you can't stop shakin' what ya Mama gave ya. And that is a very good thing. Overused cliches aside, after that party it was the heavy persuasion of the fine gentlemen of Bar Open that lead the guys to actually get backsides into gear and to write some songs, which they promptly did.
With the two DJ's taking funk, soul, rock and hip hop records, chopping up guitar lines, horn lines, whatever and adding the live elements of bass and drum's they created a new sound for live hip hop. From the stomping rock/hip hop of 'Blue Print Adaption' (featuring Mantra of Illzilla ) to the raw b-boy energy of 'It's Begun' or the straight-up dirty funk of 'Funky Thing' featuring Chantal Mitvalsky (The Bamboos) ) this is a band whose sound firmly is built on solid beats and accomplished musicianship, ready to throw it down to dance floors anywhere, anytime.
Yes, things may have changed since those heady early days I tell you but the raucous receptions have not abated. An increasingly mature and methodical approach to song writing and arranging has since seen The Inflatables play gigs and hold down residencies consistently around Melbourne for the last 18 months. Highlights have included supporting DJ Roc Raida at The Espy and playing with Miles from The Breakestra @ Manchild's & Zedsix's place on a Wednesday before the police shut came and us down. Plenty of shows are coming, all leading up to our as yet unannounced album launch (soon!) as well as supports for Lyrics Born ) and Cash Money ) so stay tuned because The Inflatables are primed to blow up!
Supports of note
DJ Roc Raida (US), Tim Dog (US), Labjacd, DJ Rafik (GER), Illzilla, Tobias Kirmeyer (GER), Breakestra (US), Cash Money (US), Z-Trip (US)
Bookings
[email protected]
Other Stuff To Check Out
Caveman Science comprises four members of The Inflatables - DJ's Manchild and Mu-Gen on the decks and MPC and MC's D-Fro and Jeremedy. Primarily sample based hip-hop productions, drawing inspiration and samples from all possible sources. Also signed to the We Got Records imprint. Look out for upcoming releases.
DJ Manchild and DJ Mu-Gen's radio show 'The Breakdown'on PBS FM 106.7. On every Friday 3-5pm streaming here , or peep our playlists . Expect lots of dusty old funk and soul 45's, obscure album cuts, rare late 80's hip-hop and of course a few classic party starters. Definately the best way to start your weekend so as Nas and Kool & The Gang might suggest - get down!