Dieselboy

Damian Higgins, better known by his stage name Dieselboy, is an American drum and bass DJ and music producer.[1]

For the rock band, see Diesel Boy.
Dieselboy
Dieselboy performing at Starscape, Baltimore, July 6, 2010
Background information
Birth nameDamian Higgins
Born (1972-07-24) July 24, 1972
Tarpon Springs, Florida, United States
GenresDrum&Bass
Occupation(s)
InstrumentsTurntables
Years active1991–present

Early life

Dieselboy was born Damian Higgins in Tarpon Springs, Florida in 1972. At the age of six he moved to Colorado City, Colorado, where he and his two sisters were raised by their mother. He moved with his family to Oil City, Pennsylvania, on the third day of school in the 9th grade, and is a graduate of Oil City Senior High School. He is the eldest son of singer/songwriter Bertie Higgins whose ballad Key Largo reached #8 on Billboard's Hot 100 chart in 1982.

Higgins's early musical experience included playing drums in a school marching band and DJing for high school dances. "I originally started DJing (before learning to beatmatch) back in 1989 and 1990 at dances at Oil City Senior High School and also a small nightclub in Franklin, Pennsylvania, called Shenanigans. I DJ'ed three of my high school's dances, but I was just playing tunes, not mixing."

Higgins attended the University of Pittsburgh from 1990 to 1995 where he gained additional DJing experience,[2] and completed a degree in information science.[3] He also played on a Carnegie Mellon University radio station (WRCT). The name Dieselboy originated from Higgins's IRC handle, "Diesel". Upon discovering a local graffiti artist shared the alias, he "made it Dieselboy."[4]

Career

Early career

In 1994, Higgins created a mixtape entitled "The Future Sound of Hardcore," and sold about 100 copies through online LISTSERVs. "Through [the mixtape], people heard about me and I started getting bookings on the East Coast. It was a very slow process that eventually snowballed into my getting flown various places." In 1996, at the request of Dan Donnelly of British Drum and bass label Suburban Base, Dieselboy did a mix called "DrumAndBass Selection USA". In 1997, Suburban Base had him follow up with 97 Octane, this time allowing him to submit track suggestions, resulting in a more varied selection. In 1998, his mix called 611 DJ Mix-series Vol. One was released. Dieselboy did the graphics for the cover. Also that year, Dieselboy recorded a mix called Director’s Cut which he had packaged in film cans, his first experiment in presenting a dance mix in a quasi-cinematic framework.

In 1998, Dieselboy initiated Philadelphia's first 21+ drum 'n' bass weekly Thursday club night entitled "Platinum" at club Fluid, which ended on October 14, 2004.[5] Platinum residents included Dieselboy, Kaos, Method One, Sine, Icon, Karl K, Mason, and MC's Dub2, Messinian, Armanni Reign, Sharpness, and Illy Emcee. It was rekindled in late 2009 featuring Mason, Sine and MC's Messinian & Sharpness.[6]

In 1999, Dieselboy released his fourth mix CD, "A Soldier's Story" on the Moonshine label. It opened with his first original “intro” and marked his CD debut as a producer with Atlantic State, a track co-produced with Technical Itch. Also released on the Moonshine label was System Upgrade (2000) while Dieselboy joined forces with Palm Pictures/Island Recordings and his releases The Descent, Invid, Render. The 6ixth Session was a double CD release on Palm Pictures, featuring a cyborg-themed mix described by the Washington Post as “hard-edged hyperdriven dance music".

Human Imprint

In 2001, Dieselboy founded Human Imprint, the drum 'n' bass imprint of electronic dance music label System Recordings.[7] For projectHUMAN (2002), Dieselboy presented a mix framed as a movie trailer that reached #6 on the Billboard Dance/Electronic album chart.[8] In 2003, Dieselboy was invited by DJ Magazine to create a mix showcasing American d&b entitled DJ World Series: D & B From The United States, on which he featured American producers Hive, Echo, Mason, Juju, Kaos, Karl K, Jae Kennedy, Stratus and Sinthetix.

For his 2004 DJ mix called The Dungeonmaster's Guide, Dieselboy asked Peter Cullen to be the voice of the Dungeonmaster who narrates the mix.[9]

In 2006, Dieselboy released his first Human Imprint compilation called "The HUMAN Resource". Disc One Selected Works, is a 12-song un-mixed selection. Disc Two Evol Intent Assemble the Monster features a continuous DJ-mix from Evol Intent.[10]

In May 2008, Dieselboy released his ninth major mix-CD Substance D (Human Imprint),[11] which reached the Billboard Dance/Electronic album chart.[8] In conjunction with this release, Dieselboy initiated the "Monsters of Jungle" tour with rotating Human Imprint label artists including Evol Intent, Ewun, Demo, Mayhem, SPKTRM, Infiltrata and MC Messinian.[12]

SubHuman Imprint

In July 2009, Human Imprint parted amicably from System Recordings. In summer 2010, Human relaunched with Steve Gordon of Steez Promo and Circle Management as new co-owner with Dieselboy, and they created the SubHuman Imprint for dubstep and electro releases.[13]

On New Year's Eve 2009 headlining a 3D Productions event at Club 24 in Washington, D.C., Dieselboy played a three-hour multi-subgenre set including drum and bass, dubstep and electro. The enthusiastic crowd response encouraged him to continue experimenting with this new open format into 2010. In January 2013 Dieselboy started playing all drum and bass sets again.

On January 31, 2011, Dieselboy released his first new mix in two and a half years, "Dieselboy – Unleashed!", as a free download on SoundCloud.[14][15] He also performed with Skrillex.[16] In 2012 he released the mix "Wake The Dead" on SoundCloud.[17] On May 23, 2013, Dieselboy's mix "Beyond the Black Bassline" was released by Skrillex's then new NEST HQ website.[18]

Dieselboy released his 93-track, 87-minute mix "Dieselboy – The Destroyer" on August 5, 2014. The mix and its art incorporate the aesthetics of his 2014 tour as Blood, Sweat and Bass with bass music producer Downlink and 1970s grindhouse films. It includes a new collaboration with drum and bass producer Gridlok called "MDMX," and three tracks by Faces of Def, a new collaborative project between Dieselboy and Mark the Beast ["Blvck Celebration" with Counterstrike (SubHuman); "Carcosa" with Mayhem and Downlink (SubHuman); remix of "Tuh Tuh Duh" by Sinister Souls (PRSPCT)].[19]

Culinary career

In 2014, Dieselboy's passion for food advanced beyond writing about it for the James Beard Award-winning FirstWeFeast.com blog, into professional kitchens.[20] He cooked a sold-out collaboration dinner with respected chefs Matt McCallister and Alex Stupak at FT33 restaurant in Dallas on June 9, 2014.[21][22] Dieselboy competed in a nacho battle against chef Alex Stupak at Empellón Cocina in New York in February 2013, which he lost.[23] He came back to face off against chefs Alex Stupak, Michael Anthony, Wylie Dufresne and Seamus Mullen in February 2014, beating Mullen.[24]

Dieselboy assisted chefs Dave Beran (Chicago), Daniel Patterson (San Francisco), and Christina Tosi (New York City) at an Art Basel dinner hosted by Questlove in Miami on December 6, 2014.[25]

In November 2014, Dieselboy's cooking was featured at his first "pop-up" event called "Burger Night with Dieselboy" at the Groningen, Netherlands restaurant De Boom, preceding his DJ performance at Subsonic nightclub. In January 2015, another pop-up hamburger event took place at P60 cafe in Amstelveen, Netherlands as a prelude to his DJ gig at the P60 club.

In 2012, Dieselboy was a co-presenter with mixologist Jim Meehan (PDT, New York City) and chef/designer Taavo Somer at the Origins and Frontiers mixology workshop at the 7th Annual StarChefs.com International Chefs Congress in New York City.[26] Dieselboy's cocktail "The Higgins" is published in The New York Times' cocktail writer Robert Simonson's 2014 book The Old-Fashioned (Ten Speed Press).

Dieselboy collaborated with Betony restaurant chef Bryce Shuman on a limited edition hot dog as part of a monthlong "musicians and chefs" special menu at the New York City cocktail lounge PDT in May 2015.[27] On August 9, 2015 as part of the Moonrise Festival in Baltimore, Maryland, Dieselboy and The Glitch Mob hosted a Taco Party for contest winners.

Awards and recognition

Dieselboy placed #23 in the 2014 America's Best DJ Poll, up 19 from the previous year's #42, between Moby and BT.[28] Dieselboy was the highest ranked drum & bass DJ (#45) in the 2008 DJ Times America's Best DJ Poll.

On February 12, 2012 in accepting his Grammy for Best Remixed Recording, Non-Classical, Skrillex (Sonny Moore) ended his comments quoting Dieselboy as saying "All the boats rise with the water."[29]

In 1998, Dieselboy was the first American drum & bass DJ to be nominated for Best Drum & Bass DJ at the Global DJ Mix Awards, tying with LTJ Bukem.

Discography

Mix compilations
Drum And Bass Selection USA (CD) – Suburban Base (Moonshine) (11/11/1996)
Mixed by Dieselboy
01. Macca featuring Tempo – Everyday
02. Ill Figure – Jam Hot
03. The Dream Team – Rollin' Numbers (The Joker Remix)
04. Rude Bwoy Monty – Steppa Style
05. Remarc – In Da Hood
06. The Dream Team – Raw Dogs (Re-Lick)
07. Shy FX – Funkindemup
08. DJ Nut Nut – Now Listen
09. Dope Skillz – 6 Million Ways
10. 45 Roller – Shotz
11. Pascal – Reality
12. Marvellous Cain – Da Power
13. Ed Rush – Check Me Out
14. Undercover Agent – Dub Plate Circles
15. Apollo 13 – Let It Roll
16. Pascal – Movin' On
97 Octane (CD) – Moonshine (1997)

Mixed by Dieselboy
01. D'Cruze (feat. Shelly Nelson) – Land Speeder
02. IQ Collective – Mode 1
03. Shimon & Andy C – Night Flight
04. The Dream Team – Switch
05. Swoosh – Ya Rockin'
06. Substance – L.F.Ant
07. The Joker – Punx
08. Ill Figure – Style
09. Swift – Twisted
10. Swift – Analogue
11. Future Forces Inc – Synthesis
12. Decoder – Twister

13. M.T.S. – Instigator
Sixeleven DJ Mixseries, Vol. 1 (CD) – Sixeleven (611) Records (1997)

Mixed by Dieselboy
01. Hoax – The More I See You (Urban Flavour Remix)
02. D.T. – Serious
03. E-Z Rollers – Tough At The Top (Origin Unknown Remix)
04. Concept 2 – Unlock The Secrets
05. Dom & Matrix – Footsteps
06. Facs – Rupture v 07. Technical Itch – Hidden Sound (Dom & Roland Remix)
08. Solar Nine – Audio Distortion
09. Embee – The Power
10. Secret Methods – Animation
11. Swift – Mission
12. Decoder & Mark Caro – EKO
13. Decoder – Dhr
14. The Vagrant – Space Boogie

15. Sharp Scientific – Stratocruiser
Director's Cut (Cassette) – Independent (1998)

Mixed by Dieselboy

Track listing needed...
A Soldier's Story (CD) – Moonshine (1999)

Mixed by Dieselboy
01. Dieselboy – Intro: Precautionary Procedure
02. Konflict – The Beckoning
03. Usual Suspects & Fierce – Sawn Off
04. DJ Friction – Photon (Remix)
05. Future Cut & Marcus Intalex – Plastic
06. Technical Itch – Deception
07. Technical Itch – Stack
08. Moving Fusion – Sexdrive
09. Jonny L – The Bells
10. Usual Suspects & Loxy – Stalker
11. Vertigo – The Drained
12. Danny Breaks – Dissonance
13. Peshay – Vegas
14. Kosheen – Yes Men (Decoder Remix)
15. Technical Itch & Dieselboy – Atlantic State

16. Decoder – BS9
System Upgrade (CD) – Moonshine (2000)

Mixed by Dieselboy
01. Dieselboy – Loading Program
02. Ram Trilogy – Mindscan (Ed Rush & Optical Remix)
03. E-Sassin – Symptom
04. Hive – Ultrasonic Sound (Dillinja Remix)
05. Biostacis – Brain Hack
06. Dom & Roland – Can't Punish Me
07. Decoder – Road Rage
08. Future Cut – Overload
09. Kemal & Rob Data – Konspiracy (VIP Mix)
10. Kraken – Side Effects (Stakka & Skynet Remix)
11. Dieselboy – The Descent (Decoder Remix)
12. Jonny L – Selecta
13. Decoder – Dumb!
14. Facs & B-Key – Antics
15. Technical Itch – Deadline
16. Bad Company – Sentient

17. Absolute Zero & Subphonics – The Code (Usual Suspects VIP Mix)
The 6ixth Session (2xCD) – Palm Pictures (2000)

Disc One (mixed by Dieselboy)
01. "Initialize" – Dieselboy vs. Atlantiq
02. "The Messiah" – Kemal & Rob Data
03. "Heavy Metal" – Technical Itch
04. "Nanobugs" – Signal to Noise
05. "Bios Fear" – Underfire vs. Negative
06. "Homicide" – Future Cut & Futurebound
07. "Shrapnel (Stakka & Skynet Remix)" – Usual Suspects
08. "Firewire" – Andy C & Shimon
09. "Toxin" – )EIB(
10. "Invid (E-Sassin VIP)" – Dieselboy
11. "The Descent (Phunckateck VIP) – Dieselboy
 12. "Pusher" – Technical Itch
13. "Eclipse" – Loxy & Dylan
14. "Plimsoul VIP" – Facs & C-Key
15. "Space Age Remix" – Teebee
16. "Dominion" – Dylan
17. "Solarize" – J Majik
Disc Two
Dieselboy – Invid
Dieselboy – Render
Dieselboy – The Descent
Dieselboy – Invid (E-Sassin VIP)

Dieselboy – The Descent (Phunckateck Communications VIP)
projectHUMAN (2xCD) – Human Imprint Recordings (2002)

Disc 1 (Mixed by Dieselboy)
01. Dieselboy & Joshua Ryan – Genesis
02. Optical & Ryme Tyme – Shapecharge
03. Styles Of Beyond – Subculture (Dieselboy & Kaos VIP Mix)
04. Funk Parlor – Something For The Dancefloor (Stakka & Skynet Remix)
05. Stratus – You Must Follow (Dieselboy & Kaos Remix)
06. Stakka & Skynet (feat. DJ Friction) – Altitude (Ryme Tyme & Fierce VIP Mix)
07. Dylan & Ink – California Curse (Technical Itch Remix)
08. Billy Lo – Carjackers (Ram Trilogy Remix)
09. Robbie Rivera – Harder & Faster (Weapon & E-Sassin Remix)
10. Kemal & Rob Data – Hostile
11. Usual Suspects & Loxy – Stalker (Danny C Remix)
12. Rob & Goldie – The Shadow (Hive VIP Mix)
13. Dom & Roland – Soundwall (VIP Mix)
14. Dom & Optical – Quadrant 6 (E-Sassin VIP Mix)
15. Rascal & Klone – Terminal Velocity
16. Technical Itch – Reborn (Weapon Remix)
17. Bad Company – Mind Games
18. Dieselboy & Joshua Ryan – Revelations

Disc 2
01. Stratus – You Must Follow
02. Styles Of Beyond – Subculture (Dylan & Ink Remix)
03. Decoder – Tension (Usual Suspects Remix)
04. Hive – Surreal Uncut (TeeBee Remix)
05. Joshua Ryan – Pistolwhip (Stratus Remix)

06. Danny Breaks – The Bear (Universal Project Remix)
DJ World Series: D & B From The United States (CD) – DJ Magazine (2003)

Mixed by Dieselboy
0 Intro
01. Kaos, Karl K & Jae Kennedy* – Vice
02. Stratus – You Must Follow (Dieselboy & Kaos Remix)
03. Kaos, Karl K & Jae Kennedy* – Rush
04. Ecco & Sabotage* – House Music
05. DJ Rap & Danny C – The Riff
06. Kaos, Karl K & Jae Kennedy* – Soul On Fire
07. Juju – Salty Dub
08. Mason (2) & D.Star* – Zerosum Breakout
09. Black Sun Empire – Smoke (Sinthetix Remix)
10. Hive & Juju – Ghettobird
11. Bad Company – Mass Hysteria (Hive Remix)
12. Kaos, Karl K & Jae Kennedy* – Moonraker
13. Bad Company – Grunge 3 (Dieselboy, Kaos & Karl K Remix)
14. Hive & Echo – Death Valley
Additional Track Hints
01. Kaos, Karl K & Jae Kennedy – Houston
02. Hive -Neo

03. Kaos, Karl K & Jae Kennedy – Athenaeum
The Dungeonmaster's Guide (2xCD) – Human Imprint Recordings (2004)
no info
Dieselboy Presents: The HUMAN Resource (2xCD) – Human Imprint Recordings (2006)
(CD1: mix by Evol Intent)
Substance D (2xCD) – Human Imprint Recordings (2008)
no info

Singles
  • Patriot Games EP (2x12") – Tech Itch Recordings
  • The Descent (12") – Palm Pictures (1999)
  • The Trans-Atlantic Link Part 1 (12") – Tech Itch Recordings
  • Invid (12") – Palm Pictures (2000)
  • Render (12") – Palm Pictures (2000)
  • Invid (Remixes) (2x12") – Palm Pictures (2002)
  • Barrier Break/Submission (2X12") – (Dieselboy & Kaos) Human Imprint (11/17/03)
  • N/V/D (12") – Dieselboy (Counterstrike Zentraedi remix) Human Imprint (5/8/08)
  • Midnight Express (12") – Dieselboy + Evol Intent + Ewun, Human Imprint (5/15/08)
  • Get Back (CD) – Blokhe4d & Dieselboy, Unique Artists (2010)
  • W.M.F.D. (Digital) – Dieselboy & Bare, Human Imprint (HUMA 8035, 6/20/2012)
  • MDMX (Digital) – Gridlok feat. Dieselboy, Project 51 (P5130, 8/25/2014)

Remixes
  • Hard Times – Baby Namboos (Dieselboy + Decoder) Palm Pictures (2000)
  • Opticon – Orgy (Dieselboy + Technical Itch Arena mix) Reprise (2001)
  • Subculture – Styles of Beyond (Dieselboy + Kaos VIP) Human Imprint (2002)
  • You Must Follow – Stratus (Dieselboy + Kaos) Human Imprint (2003)
  • Grunge 3 – Bad Company UK (Dieselboy, Kaos + Karl K) Human Imprint (2003)
  • Moulin Rouge – Dom + Roland (Dieselboy, Kaos + Karl K) Human Imprint (2005)
  • Hooked – Dom + Gridlok (Tech Itch + Dieselboy) Project 51 (P51UK10, 8.7.2006)
  • Tuh Tuh Duh – Sinister Souls (feat. Dieselboy feat. Mark the Beast) PRSPCT (PRSPCTRMXEP001,1.28.2015)

Videogames

Compilation appearances
  • Opticon – Orgy (Dieselboy + Technical Itch Arena Mix) (2001) on Orgy: Opticon Remixes (12") – Reprise Records
  • Opticon – Orgy (Dieselboy + Technical Itch Arena Dub Mix) (2001) on Orgy: Opticon Remixes (12") – Reprise Records
  • Grunge 3 – Bad Company UK (Dieselboy, Kaos + Karl K) HUMAN (2003) on Andy C: Nightlife (CD) – Ram Records (2003)
  • Get Back – Blokhe4d + Dieselboy on Unique Artists: Volume 1 – Unique Artists (UA001CD, 8/23/2010)[30]

Filmography
  • Put the Needle on the Record (2004)[31]
  • American Massive (2002)[32]
  • Atlantic State (Technical Itch + Dieselboy), Sounds & Motion: V.01 (Ukraine, 2002)
  • Moonshine Over America (2000)[33]

See also

References
  1. Boyles, Jen (November 24, 2010). "Dieselboy talks drum and bass, fashion, and food". Gimme Noise. Archived from the original on November 24, 2010. Retrieved 2016-12-13.
  2. "How The Internet Transformed The American Rave Scene". NPR.org. Retrieved 2016-12-13.
  3. "Nightlife Podcast: Dieselboy". LasVegasWeekly.com. Retrieved 2016-12-13.
  4. "Dieselboy Interview: SXSW 2010 – Spinner". 2012-04-03. Archived from the original on 2012-04-03. Retrieved 2016-12-13.
  5. Castillo, Arielle (2010-12-09). "Dieselboy Leads Dub Nation Tour to Revolution". New Times Broward-Palm Beach. Retrieved 2016-12-13.
  6. "Dieselboy – Timeline – Facebook". Facebook.com.
  7. "DieselboyInterv". About.com Entertainment. Archived from the original on 2016-12-20. Retrieved 2016-12-13.
  8. "Dieselboy – Chart history | Billboard". Billboard.com. Retrieved 2016-12-13.
  9. "Dieselboy and the Dungeon Master's Guide". Worldsmostdangerousdm.blogspot.co.uk. Retrieved 2016-12-13.
  10. "DIESELBOY "The Human Resource" Human/System MESSINIAN "Rhymes Against Humanity" Messinian". The Washington Post. 2006-06-30. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2016-12-13.
  11. Jenkins, Mark (June 6, 2008). "DIESELBOY "Substance D" Human Imprint/System". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2016-10-06.
  12. "Broken Beats – Interview with Dieselboy (USA) & The Upbeats (NZL)". Brokenbeats.co.nz. Archived from the original on 2012-07-26. Retrieved 2016-12-13.
  13. "Dieselboy Talks Online Promotion Difficulties, Labels, Free Mixes". Dotted Music. 2011-03-20. Retrieved 2016-12-13.
  14. "Dieselboy interview! + ticket giveaway tonight 12-3AM kuci.org". beatification.kuci.org. Retrieved 2016-12-13.
  15. "Unleashed!". Soundcloud.com.
  16. "Skrillex and Dieselboy | SSG Music". 2011-02-03. Archived from the original on 2011-02-03. Retrieved 2016-12-13.
  17. "Wake The Dead (Remastered)". Soundcloud.com.
  18. "Dieselboy – Beyond The Black Bassline – NEST HQ". Nesthq.com. 21 May 2013.
  19. "Dieselboy "- The Destroyer" by Khal". DoAndroidsDance.com. August 5, 2014. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
  20. Ulla, Gabe (2012-09-25). "Dieselboy on Great Meals and Cooking With Alex Stupak". Eater. Retrieved 2016-12-13.
  21. Higgins, Damien (June 24, 2014). "My First Night on the Line". Firstwefeast.com.
  22. Filloon, Whitney (23 May 2014). "Matt McCallister Teams Up With Alex Stupak & Dieselboy". Dallas.eater.com.
  23. "The Great Nacho Cook-off: Alex Stupak vs. DJ Dieselboy". Firstwefeast.com.
  24. "The Second Annual First We Feast Nacho Battle". Firstwefeast.com.
  25. "Questove's Food Salon MIAMI Featuring Daniel Patterson, Dave Beran, and Christina Tosi". Vimeo.com.
  26. "Get Caught in the Mix@ICC". StarChefs.com.
  27. "First We Feast and PDT Present: The Hot Dog Sessions". Firstwefeast.com.
  28. "2014 Top 50 – America's Best DJ". Americabestdj.us.
  29. "Skrillex Wins Best Remixed Recording, Non-Classical". Grammy.com.
  30. "Various Artists – Unique Artists – Volume 1 :: Unique Artists :: UA001CD". RollDaBeats.com.
  31. "Put the Needle on the Record". IMDb.com. 25 July 2004.
  32. "American Massive". IMDb.com. 1 August 2002.
  33. WhateverzOn (30 August 2010). "MOONSHINE OVERAMERICA THE DOCUMENTARY Part 3 of 5". YouTube.
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