 DJ Dog-Eared | |
|---|---|
| Origins | Watford, England |
| Genres | Electronic, House, Acid |
| Years Active | 1989 – Present |
| Real Name | Dave Crambon |
DJ Dog-Eared
Early Life
DJ Dog-Eared, real name David Crambon, was born in Watford in 1972 to parents Ruth and Arthur. He had a very normal upbringing for a kid in the 70s getting up to all sorts throughout the decade as he grew up. Sadly, his parents divorced when he was 11 and he had to spend time between his mum and his dad. Dave had always had a love of music keeping up to date with the charts and trends like any kid does. It wasn’t until Christmas 1984 that he really started living out his passion. His parents somehow both managed to buy him the exact same twin cassette recorder. Obviously they didn’t communicate with each other, but this didn’t bother Dave he was delighted with both of the decks and used them to the best of his ability.
With his new new kit, Dave would record songs from the radio to mix and edit them onto a second tape. He would also plug in a microphone to record any weird and wonderful sound he fancied. Having two machines allowed him to record samples from one track with a mic to record over another song. With these tools he created completely new tracks from current chart toppers. His remixes were so popular he could sell them at his school to his classmates so that he could afford new tapes to try more experiments.
Word got around his school that he was a lover of all things electronic and techno so he would receive invites to attend underground discos and raves. He found it hard to get away from home when living with his mum, but when he was at his dad’s house he could sneak out at night to any dingy basement or warehouse he fancied to enjoy the music and the atmosphere. As he was one of the youngest there, he would often stand in the corner just soaking up the energy and listening the DJ’s choices to try and pick up tips and tricks.
His teachers also got wind of his musical prowess and asked him whether he could DJ the year 10’s disco. Surprisingly for his school they actually stumped the money to hire some half decent equipment for Dave to use. It was the first time he had actually used the professional gear, but he soon got used to it and gave the year 10s a night they wouldn’t forget in a hurry. He spun plenty of hits, but also had the audacity to play some his own remix tapes. Thankfully, the kids loved these too, validating Dave’s mixing talents.
History
First Steps
After attending underground parties at a young age for a few years, Dave finally got his big chance to show his skills. He turned up to a gig to find a massive crowd with no DJ. He was only 17 at the time, but had the bottle to go and find the person in charge. They told him that the Dj hadn’t shown up, so were going to have to find someone else at short notice. Dave suggested he could fit the bill, and to his delight the manager let him. He immediately ran home to get some of his tapes and records sneaking in through a window to get in and back out without waking his dad. Dave raced back and jumped on stage. Plenty of the crowd were slightly perturbed the DJ’s age, but when the music started he had them in the palm of his hands. Again he played his own remixes mixed with some of the hits of the day and some more electronic synth music too. You certainly couldn’t tell this was his first chance to DJ at such an event as he was such a natural. He knew what songs to play at what time. Dave could build up an audience and slow them down only to hype them right back up again. The promoter of the event realised he was something special and invited him to join his roster of DJs. He couldn’t say yes fast enough. This was everything he had dreamed of and he had loved that night so much he was glad he could do it again.
Dave was in dreamland, but because he was only 17 at the time he had to get permission from his parent’s first. He then had to admit that he had been going to these raves and sneaking out to attend. They were a bit shocked when they first heard of his antics, but soon realised this DJing contract could set him up for life. They also noted that his evening activities hadn’t effected his school work, so were pretty happy to sign the contract on his behalf.
His first gigs came soon after. The promoter paired Dave up with local legend DJ Squib Attack, or DJSA for short. Dave would build up the crowd for DJSA to come on and perform his sets. The partnership worked very well for both parties. Dave was able to learn from and old pro and get a chance to practise his skills, while DJSA had a great hype man who could do the hard work of warming up the crowd. The pair worked together for just under two years before DJSA left the Watford area for distant shores. It was during this time that Dave got his famous nickname, DJ Dog-Eared. It was given to him by DJSA when he saw all the old vinyl that Dave brought to the gigs. Each and every sleeve was battered and dog-eared because he had worn them all out through numerous plays. The name stuck with Dave and he has been known professionally as DJ Dog-Eared ever since.
Bigger and Better
With DJ Squib Attack leaving the country to try his hand at clubs in Spain, DJDE was without a partner. It was at this point in 1992 that his promoter offered him his most lucrative opportunity to date. Dave could have the Loco Junction residency. This was huge for his career. Many big names had performed at LJ and gone onto become superstar DJs. Dave bit the promoter’s hand off and became a regular DJ at the famous Loco Junction club. Unlike his previous partnership, this night was all about him and he could do whatever he wanted. He performed every Wednesday night for just shy of year.
He garnered many fans of his unique work over that time. Most of the crowd weren’t just there for a night of rave music, but to see the DJ himself. His popularity in the area soared with his weekly events being sold out days before they happened. It was such a joy for Dave that he was able to create a new mix at home and perform it in front of a huge crowd that same night. He would get many regulars who would attend each week; he called these avid fans his “pups”. He would allow them to request songs as long as they barked into the microphone first. That summed up his music. He was able to build up euphoric highs but also bring an element of humour to the whole thing. Dave hated nothing more than people so spaced out that they weren’t enjoying what he was playing.
It was near the end of his residency that a talent scout from Dekaf records turned up to the Loco Junction. Dekaf at this time were desperately trying to find anyone they could sign to fill the growing rave / electronic market. The scout, Charlie Swebb, took the short distance from the Dekaf head office in London to the gig in Watford. Charlie didn’t know much about the genre of the scene, but he could recognisable talent and charisma. He was astounded by how the crowd reacted to the young DJ. Dave wasn’t just a DJ playing other people’s music, he also had plenty of his own stuff which also impressed the scout. Once the crowd had left, Charlie approached Dave and his promoter offering them an album deal. Dekaf wanted three albums to test the water of the market. Dave was incredibly happy to oblige and signed the contract straight away.
Continued Success
Now DJ Dog-Eared was signed up to Dekaf he had to start making albums. Luckily he had plenty of songs in his back pocket, most of which he had played since he was a kid. He was invited to the recording studio to lay down his favourite tracks. It got a bit awkward when Dave asked the studio manager to leave so he could get on with it himself. Over the course of 5 weeks, Dave finally merged from the studio with a master copy of the album he had produced. Only he was involved, so only he got the credit. This first album was titled Rave’s Best Friend and launched in 1993. The album got plenty of play time during his gigs in and around Watford and also his residency at Loco Junction. This album was the first chance his music got to spread further afield too. The tracks were released on cassette, cd, and vinyl which was especially popular amongst over DJs.
DJ Dog-Eared’s profile was rising across the whole UK. Other DJs realised how useful his new album was. If they were ever in need for a floor filler they all turned to their trusty vinyl copy of Rave’s Best Friend. With the new found respect of DJs all over the country, every venue in the UK contacted Dave hoping for an appearance. This led to an incredibly busy two year period where Dave was performing almost every other night up and down the country. Whether it was a basement, a warehouse, or a club Dave probably did a set there during the mid 90s.
With trips to Ibiza, Berlin, and New York in 1994, Dave returned to the UK to complete his 2nd album. The recording went in a very similar way as the first. Dekaf brought in a team of producers to help Dave in the studio, but yet again he asked them all to leave. He wanted to be alone to record what he wanted to. Over the last couple of years touring up and down the country and across the world he had tried out a few new tracks which all made it onto his second album, No Worries in 1995. It again made a large splash with DJs and raver’s alike. But unlike the previous album it was also a hit amongst more casual listeners. This was helped by Dave’s DJ friend who was a regular on a national radio station. He gave the lead track, Kennel Club, plenty of air time over the weeks following the album’s release.
With the more mainstream success of his second album, Dave was was in demand, not just for raves, but also personal appearances, interviews, and press. The next three years were a real whirlwind for Dave as he was in such high demand everywhere he went. His underground club nights became incredibly popular with hundreds of fans without tickets trying to sneak in to listen. His skills were wanted all over the world, so it’s surprising that he was able to find time to create his third album, The Watford Gap in 1998. Dekaf had finally learnt their lesson and left him in peace at the recording studio to work his magic. It was anther success when it was released in July of that year. It really became the sound of the summer of 1998 as festivals, clubs, and raves played the tracks on the album even if DJ Dog-Eared was no where near. The youth of the UK loved the euphoric build ups and clever samples of older tracks.
Star Power
With three hit compilation albums under his belt, Dave could pretty much get a gig anywhere in the world. He was now one of the elite superstar DJs. His tracks were incredibly popular in the UK, but they had also made a splash around the States whose rave culture was much more limited. In 1999 he went on a small tour of the clubs on the east coast of America. Most venues were more used to rap music at the time, so his rave and acid tracks were something entirely different. He even created a few new tracks for the trip featuring more popular American artists. One of the tracks was a remix of Dekaf’s very own Third-Rate Reprobates with a track playing off their first album named, Bark Raving Sad.
While away in the States, his tracks were gaining even more traction in his own country. The UK were loving his mixes which ad been released as singles, and when he returned he was welcomed back as a conquering hero. He was booked up for all sorts of events including large festivals. His set at the Crave the Rave festival is still stuff of legend for all those who attended. The whole crowd went crazy when he appeared on stage. His track choice was just perfect. Each track led into the next one with such ease. He would build the crowd up to huge heights before an even bigger bass drop sent the whole crowd into a frenzy. According to local newspapers at the time, a local seismograph picked up an earthquake reading just from the jumping from the audience.
These gigs as well as his radio air time made DJ Dog-Eared a household name amongst the rave circuit and beyond. In the year 1999, to celebrate the upcoming millennium, and really get the party started, he released the album A Big Year (For Firework Sellers). It was an immediate success and is still fondly remembered as a great collection tracks to welcome in the year 2000. He was even invited to play his tracks at the New Year’s Eve Party at 10 Downing Street, but turned it down to perform at rave in Bethnal Green. History would say it was a silly decision, but I’m sure he had much more fun at the rave.
Discography
A Good Year (For Firework Sellers) – 1999
Bark to Life – 2007
Bucket Hats are Back Baby – 2018
2000 and Beyond
With all the success for Dave came a burn out too. He had spent most of the 90s raving all over the world. As much as he loved it, he really felt he needed a break. So in 2001 he put a hiatus on his career to take some time out to recoup and allow himself a bit of an extended rest. He never stopped producing his own tracks whenever he heard a great song to sample, but this was pleasure not for business. He had earned enough to support him for a few years without working at all, so he spent most of his time indulging his other hobbies. He was a keen fisherman so spent many a day on lakes and rivers trying to catch a beauty. He also went on a world cruise with his long time partner Nicole who had met in 1998.
When it got round to 2007 he found his savings were dwindling and needed to get back on the circuit. When he made his first appearance after the 6 year break the crowds were in raptures and newspapers made a big deal of his return. Audiences were as big as ever and he soon got back into the groove again. He released his fifth album Bark to Life in the same year. It was a slow burner on the charts, but had much more success up and down the country’s clubs. Dave would host his own club night again for a year, before realising that the magic had gone. The rave scene he loved so much was being replaced and was almost non existent by the mid 00’s. Fans were still turning up to his events, but it didn’t feel right for him to be the last bastion of rave culture.
With the proceeds of that album, and money he got from personal appearances and as a tv guest, he was able to quietly slip back into everyday life. He would do occasional guest spots for other DJ friends of his, but otherwise he was just making his own tracks at the studio. After an even longer break than his first, he reappeared with an album in 2018 to celebrate the England Football team. The album titled Bucket Hats are Back Baby was a huge homage to the football team but also the culture that surrounded the side. It became an anthem for fans all over the country allowing him to play the hits at fan parks and football stadium during the World Cup.
Dave is still producing music and doing the occasional DJ guest spot with his friends. His love of rave, electronica, and acid music has never been quenched over the years of touring. He prefers to leave the past in the past and is looking forward to the future and what he can achieve with some more modern methods. So watch this space because Dj Dog-Eared isn’t done yet!