It was a pleasure to conduct an interview with fellow XMFan DJ Thee-O (born Jacob Ofilas). In addition to being recognized by many as the best live DJ in southern California today, Thee-O has been involved with XM channel The Move since day one. Thee-O took a few minutes of his time to talk about his life, music, and company, Biohazard Productions.


XMFan: Have you lived in Los Angeles most of your life?
Thee-O: I was born and raised in Los Angeles. I have Puerto Rican heritage - my mom was born in The Bronx and my grandparents were born in Puerto Rico. As far as that heritage, and Los Angeles, I can't imagine being from anywhere else.

XMFan: Is it true that each street in L.A. tells it's own story?
Thee-O: There are definitely parts of town that seem to have more of a story than others. I think people get caught up in two different perceptions about L.A.; one would be the whole gang thing and ghetto version, while the other would be the glamour and sports cars at every corner. I think both of those have a place in L.A., but I don't believe they represent L.A. completely.

XMFan: How did your path in life take you from being in high school to becoming a professional DJ?
Thee-O: I started DJing while I was in junior high, when I was about thirteen. I started to DJ school dances and things like that. When I got out of high school I started going to raves. Once I saw the rave culture and how the DJs really affected the crowd, I totally wanted to be involved in that. I've been doing that ever since.

XMFan: Do you mind the all-inclusive term Dance Music?
Thee-O: No, because I think to a lot of people that don't know what it is… (Pauses) I think it's definitely a better term than Electronica. I don't think dance music necessarily needs to be electronic music, and I don't think electronic music necessarily has to be dance music. So to me, a better term for what we do on The Move, is definitely "Dance Music."

XMFan: Could you briefly explain a few of the popular types of Dance Music?
Thee-O: You cold go on and on forever trying to categorize the types of Dance Music. The main styles of Dance Music that I find are House - which can also mean a very broad style of music actually - anywhere from Funky House to Progressive House, and even in the pop genre there's many styles underneath that. House is especially derived from Disco; it was born in the 80's and is still probably the most dominant form of Dance Music out there. Trance is melodic, very lush, almost classical in a form... Very euphoric, a hands in the air type feeling. It's very beautiful but still danceable.

Jungle comes from England, probably in the early 90's. It's more of an urban street music. There's just so many styles you can get into - Hardcore, which is pretty much a high B.P.M. (beats per minute) dance music which is in your face. There are so many styles of dance music, and unfortunately many of these weren't being pushed on the radio in the U.S. In Europe, you can turn on any radio and find plenty of different dance stations to listen to. Thankfully, because of satellite radio here, you are now able to find many new styles of dance music.

XMFan: How did you become a featured DJ on The Move?
Thee-O: Before I had even heard of satellite radio I got a call form Luis Baro, who is the Program Director over at The Move. I had met him before because he was a promoter in Chicago, and I had DJed for him at The Vet. When he was starting up The Move, he decided to do a show called Revolutions, which was to feature ten DJs from ten different cities. I was going to represent Los Angeles. Unfortunately, I guess not all the other DJs were up to committing to shows on a regular basis. What happened was it turned out to be the right time, and I asked Luis for my own show. I really wanted to have a showcase for more of a west coast sound on The Move. XM is located in D.C. and tends to have more of an east coast sound, so I really wanted to have a show where I could highlight some of the Los Angeles and west coast talent that we have here.

XMFan: You are widely considered the best live DJ in southern California, which is no small accomplishment. Were there any special highs or lows that helped you get to this point?
Thee-O: I think being consistent has been the key to getting to that level. You just really have to have a love for it, really be passionate about it, and not let all the other things get in the way. I've done some amazing things, had some amazing times, and I just look forward to each gig like it's my first gig. You always need to keep that perspective and not let any sort of success get to your head. It's not something you do because you want to make money. You do it because you love it. Hopefully the money will come with that, but you never know. (Laughs)

XMFan: As a music fan, what are a few CDs in your car right now?
Thee-O: Besides listening to XM any time I can? (Laughs) Honestly, I don't listen to a lot of electronic music or dance music in my car, unless I'm happening to listen to The Move. I mainly listen to stations like Lucy and Fred, XMU. A lot of my CDs in the car would be Interpol, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Gem, Bob Marley, Outkast. I have a very wide taste in music and like to listen to as many different bands as I can.

XMFan: Who are a few artists you have spun with over the years?
Thee-O: Oakenfold, Outkast, Underworld, Orbital, The Roots... I've spun with some amazing talents, names that are just huge in both dance and hip-hop. It amazes me that I've spun with them.

XMFan: What kind of equipment might we find in your booth?
Thee-O: The same turntables that were popular in 1972 are still being used today - the Technics 1200. They're still pretty much the industry standard. The mixer, a Pioneer DJM600, is pretty much what every club has. Give me a Pioneer and two 1200s, and I'll be set!

XMFan: Would you tell us what your company, Biohazard Productions, is doing these days?
Thee-O: Right now we are focusing on the Hazardous Radio Show. We really want to make it a better, more dynamic show. Realizing that the show is on during drive time, both morning and evening on Mondays, we really want to make it a great place for people to stop. Other than that, we're all working on our own music. All the DJs involved at Biohazard are also producing and spinning on other labels. In the future we might be providing Hazardous Radio online as well.

All of the DJs at Biohazard share common interests and common goals. Right now we have a stable of about ten DJs involved on the west coast. Anyone interested in an inquiry or booking is welcome to check out our site at www.biohazardproductions.com

XMFan: If XM added another dance channel, which kind of format do you think might work best?
Thee-O: I think maybe a Chill kind of format would definitely be a welcome addition. They could also focus on just straight dance music, more focus on other electronic styles of music; some trip-hops, some down-tempo, stuff like that. Portishead, Lamb, Tricky... At raves in England there's always a room where you can go, just outside of the rave, and just find really cool music - not to dance to, but just to relax. That would be a good alternative to the dance channels, kind of a chill-out station.

The System and BPM sound a lot alike. I think in time they will tweak their sounds and go in separate directions.

XMFan: Do you feel XM Radio is providing a good product to the dance community?
Thee-O: I think so, because it's a great way to get this style of music to any part of the country. If you're an aspiring DJ in Omaha, Nebraska, it's hard to find what's coming up, what's going on, unless you go online or have XM... The great thing about XM is you will find new music you may have not ever listened to. I have found bands I've really started liking because of XM.

XMFan: What advice would you give a young person who thinks they may want to DJ one day?
Thee-O: I think this goes for being a DJ or a musician... If you want to do it, do it. Don't half-ass it, don't do it halfway. Do it as much as you can, for as long as you can. It's not something where you can just say, "I think I'll try it out." You have to live it and breathe it, or you just won't make it.

XMFan: How does it feel to be Thee-O?
Thee-O: I don't know. I don't really think about it much, but I'm very grateful that I have an outlet. There are so many people who unfortunately do not have a creative outlet in life, and I feel I'm very fortunate to share my music with other people. It's the most amazing aspect of my life.