Planet of the Drums

Planet of the Drums (POTD) is a 4 member DnB super group from the USA founded in 2000 consisting of Dieselboy, AK1200, DJ Dara, with MC Messinian. They are almost as old as the genre itself, with all three having a huge impact on the global junglist movement. They are also active in their local communities. 

Dieselboy, DJ Dara, and AK1200 formed the group in order to take DnB off of the side stage at festivals and elevate it to the main stage where its bass heavy and technical sound design could be properly heard. Since the genre was still in its infancy, POTD was exactly what the scene needed. They accomplished this goal and much more as POTD evolved into an annual tour that lasted 10 years and firmly rooted the genre into the festival circuit. It planted the seeds for the genre in North America and made DnB a necessary component of any electronic festival.

Dieselboy is known as the heaviest. He usually starts POTD sets with an extended intro, setting the mood for the chaos that is about to ensue. Co-owner of SUB-huma Records, his heavy hitting dark sounds and fast transitions inspired future generations of DnB and Dubstep producers. Never afraid to try something new, he has been a pioneer in the industry. He sold his first mixtape “The Future Sound of Hardcore” in 1994 on LISTSERVs online - way before the internet was a thing. Following that trend, Dieselboy was adopting CDJ’s and a 4 deck set up before many others considered it. He has also done animation and album art for POTD.

DJ Dara is the founder of Breakbeat Science, North America’s first Drum and Bass label and DnB Specific Store in. A prolific touring artist and dedicated curator of the genre, he recently chronicled DnB’s history with his memorable “Evolution of DnB” tour from 1994-2014. His last visit to Vancouver was in 2005, so the heads should be excited to revisit this gem.

AK1200 started out in 89 as an Electro DJ, but once he was exposed to breakbeats he became a leader and innovator in his hometown of Orlando. He opened “The Hottie Shop” in 1990, which served as a hub for underground music, and also founded the Jungle Fanzine “Junglized”. Being the first American to have a release on a UK DnB label as well as the first to play pirate radio, AK1200 has always been ahead of the game, paving the way for the next generation of junglists.     

MC Messinian is known as the go-to lyricist when electronic music gets dark and heavy. Tactful and precise with his words, his voice booms over top chaotic soundscapes, adding poetic effect to productions that demand movement. His resume extends across the globe and across genres. He has toured with the biggest names in the game and is often brought in to add lyrical firepower.

www.facebook.com/planetofthedrums
www.soundcloud.com/dieselboy
www.soundcloud.com/ak1200
www.soundcloud.com/dj-dara