This interview was conducted back in August of 2015 by Mindcontroller when Buzz Fuzz and a few other names on this current line up of the Trauma tour first came through the US. Seeing as it is important to get to know who you’re going to go see, let this be the manifest of the legendary Buzz Fuzz so that you can pay your proper respects when he rolls through your town! Buzz Fuzz will be appearing this Friday, February 19th in Mesa, Arizona. February 20th in Denver Colorado. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on the 26th, and closing in Brooklyn, New York, February 27th! Hard en heerlijk!
What year did you get into DJing/the Rave scene?
1987. I was playing hip-hop, swing beat, and R&B in a religious club. The rave portion started in 1991 where we played Hardcore/House.
What came first DJ or producing?
DJing. Then I started producing in 1993 with The Prophet.
What drew you to the Hardcore techno sound?
My ex girlfriend, actually. She invited me out. At the time, I didn’t know anything about “raving”. I went to the show and The Prophet was playing. At that point, I said, “Yes! This is going to be it.” I haven’t been out since.
What inspired the name Buzz Fuzz? Is there a meaning behind it?
It was found in quick thinking. The guy who organizes the parties for ISB, the Hellraisers stuff, said he needed a new DJ, but I needed a name! I had this record from King B, and it said it’s the king ‘B’ for buzz and fuzz and since my last name is Vos, I decided to take those two words.
Who was your biggest inspiration in the early part of your career?
The Prophet, he was the first one to show me how everything works.
What was your first DJ gig as Buzz Fuzz?
It was in 1991 for ISB, the Hellraiser guy: ‘The Bloom Party’, and The Prophet said, “I was supposed to play with Dano, but he’s got the flu. You bring your three turntables and I’ll bring my three.”, so we’ve got six turntables and two mixers, and we connected it all together and played for six hours.
What’s the funniest moment you ever had during one of your performances?
One time I was playing in Amsterdam, and I was really fucked up; I could hardly stand. I was into vodka, pills, and stuff. Lenny D said, “Oh my god Buzz, are you going to be able to play?” I said, “Just get me to the turntables!”, and I played a marvelous set. No mistakes. Then I collapsed right at the end.
What would you consider your best DJ gig to date? Thunderdome in Hamburg, and Dance Valley.
What’s your favorite collaboration?
My work with The Prophet. We made a lot of tracks in his studio. When we get together it’s like magic. We would finish two tracks a day! And Gizmo of course. We made seven tracks in two days. One of them was Brand New Dance. We were really fucked up but the track was, and is, still awesome.
Hardcore has really changed since the ’90s. What’s your take on today’s Hardcore scene?
I think mainstream Hardcore has gotten too simple. Everybody’s producing the same style. And there is even more mainstream now.
Out of the new batch of DJs and producers out there, who’s your favorite? Whose sound stands out the most?
Angerfist. I discovered him. I was playing in Austria, where I received a stack of demo CDs. One was a double CD (Angerfist’s). It blew my mind. I referred him to Art of Dance. He became my protege, but that didn’t last long, he was already very good.
Any current projects?
My label, BZRK Records! It was laying low for a while, but now it’s back! I’m doing some collaborations with some new artists for it. The future looks promising.
Are you going to do any updated versions of some of your classics?
Oh yeah! Frequencies, an XTC Love remix by Deepack, and Brand New Dance.
What advice would you give to any up-and-coming hardcore producers?
Think with your heart, not your brain. That’s the main point. When you’re good enough, you can make it. Don’t try to copy. Be yourself.
