On booty duty: Interview with Sub Slayers boss Jay Cunning (audio previews inside)

Sometimes Sean returns with his latest report from the frontline of the ghetto-edged, bass-fuelled corner of the breaks scene. This week he speaks to the former Kiss FM breaks hero about his exciting new label

Hi Jay, thanks for taking some time out to speak to thisisbreaks.com and kmag.co.uk. First off, congratulations for winning the outstanding contribution to breaks award at Breakpoll. That’s a rare achievement! How does it feel to be held in such high regard? And how do you feel the awards went this year overall?

It was amazing to win this award though I must admit part of me felt it was a bit This Is Your Life, but I’ve been assured it’s to honour my achievements so far, and not a sign of me needing to retire – which is just as well cos I've got big plans for 2010 with Sub Slayers!

You’ve been associated with the breaks scene for an incredible amount of time, and the label you co-run with Terry Hooligan, Menu Music, really pushed the boundaries at a time when many others were playing safe with generic sounds. Your latest project, Sub Slayers, takes things a step further and dives deep into the dubstep-breaks crossover territory. How did you find yourself moving into that area?

It started a few years ago when I started getting a few crossover tracks sent to me at Kiss from the likes of VENT, ID, Reso and Afghan Headspin to name a few. They were breaks but they were drawing on the rawness and attitude of dubstep. Although there was older music in a similar vein (Daluq, Darqwan etc) I wanted more and so Sub Slayers was born.

Of course, dubstep isn’t the only sound that aligns easily with breaks these days. Are there any other styles that are flicking your switch at the moment?

I’m a massive old skool and jungle head and for me the latter can play a big part in what I’m doing – I love the energy and attitude of jungle - the old skool breaks, the big sub basslines – it’s all got its part to play.

The second release on Sub Slayers drops this coming Monday (15th March). First we had High Rankin’ (with Sitting in the Wet/Corner of the Block) and now Gella (with Twinkle and a bunch of remixes). Both of these are on top form when it comes to straddling the dubstep and breaks sounds. Who else can we expect from the artist's roster in the coming months?

I’m very excited about what’s coming up for Sub Slayers! The next few release will purely focus on artists and their music without the distraction of remixes. Sub Slayers 003 will be ID, with an immense four-tracker ranging from the full on to the deep and heavy. I wont give to much away but audio links will be available on our soundcloud soon.

Release number four will be the Jersey quartet that is Schema – insane production skills and kings of basslines! Again another four-tracker ranging from outright killer dubstep to full on breaks assault. The idea behind these releases is to allow the artists to breath a little with their music and not feel the pressure to release two bangers. Don’t get me wrong - these tracks are firmly placed on the dancefloor, but it means they can go a little left of field to broaden their release.

I can’t tell you too much about release number 5 BUT I will tell you that a true soldier of the scene will be returning with a vengeance!

It was unfortunate that your show came to an end on Kiss FM at the end of last year. Do you intend to get back into radio at some point, or are you just calling it a day for now?

I’ll never say never again but I am using the time to purely focusing on Sub Slayers and it’s artists for 2010.

What would you say was your favourite moment on the show over the years?

Not an easy question to answer as each week had it’s moments but two that stick out most would be the interview with my all time musical hero Liam Howlett (Prodigy), and then the time Quest and Ken Mac and Inch from Ctrl Z come down for a guest mix. We ended up completely losing it on air after Ken Mac ranted on about pants, Breakspoll awards for van drivers, dogs and cussing Quest's Mum. You can check the video here to witness it all.

To sign off, it’s a bit of a tradition to pass on any thoughts you have, musings, shout outs or whatever you feel. So take it away.

There are far too many people that I didn’t thank at Breakspoll but I won't go on now. There have been many people who’ve been directly involved with me in the scene, people working behind the scenes, fans, lovers of music – just far too many to mention but you know who you are.

2010 is gonna be a big year for me and for Sub Slayers, I’ve never been more excited about breaks and pushing it into this new direction feels so right. S’all about the bass and the breaks.

Sub Slayers 002 [SLAYER002] Out 8 Mar 2010 by Sub Slayers

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