For the rock band, see Diesel Boy.
Dieselboy
Birth nameDamian Higgins
Birth dateJuly 24, 1972 (age 54)
Birth placeTarpon Springs, Florida, U.S.
GenreDrum and bass
Occupation
Years active1991–present
Instruments

Damian Higgins (born 1972) better known by his stage name Dieselboy, is an American drum and bass DJ and music producer.[1]

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.

Higgins's early musical experience included playing drums in a school marching band and DJing for high school dances.

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).[citation needed] 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 released a mixtape titled "The Future Sound of Hardcore," selling approximately 100 copies through online LISTSERV networks, which led to initial performance bookings on the East Coast. 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. In 1998, Higgins recorded the mix ''Director's Cut'', which was packaged in physical film cans.[citation needed]

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. The club night resumed in late 2009 with performers Mason, Sine, Messinian, and Sharpness.[6]

In 1999, Dieselboy released his fourth mix CD, "A Soldier's Story" on the Moonshine label. The album included his first original introduction track and marked his debut as a producer with "Atlantic State", co-produced with Technical Itch. His subsequent mix album, System Upgrade (2000), was also released on Moonshine. Higgins later signed with Palm Pictures and Island Recordings, releasing the tracks "The Descent", "Invid", and "Render". His double-CD mix album, The 6ixth Session, was released on Palm Pictures.[citation needed]

In a 2000 interview with JIVE Magazine, Dieselboy discussed his roots and the rising popularity of drum and bass music, "Well, when I started playing there wasn't drum and bass per se[sic], but I was playing stuff that was prototype drum and bass, stuff that led up to it, like early break beat and it was called dark side which is like fast dark breakbeat. I couldn't have predicted it, I definitely wanted it to become more popular, my goal was to get more people into it and open up the scene a little bit. I hold onto my goal on that...I wouldn't have predicted that it was going to be where it is, that [DNB] would be in commercials or that I was going end up DJ-ing so much."[7]

Creative career

In January 2022, Dieselboy founded Destroyer Design, a graphic design agency offering design, creative direction, and branding services, primarily for food and beverage industry clients.[8][9][10]

In July 2018, Dieselboy co-founded a streetwear company called Death Saves, specializing in metal and fantasy-themed apparel, in collaboration with actor Joe Manganiello.[11][10] Dieselboy served as the Design Director for Death Saves.[11]

The mixtape The Destroyer 2 featured Corey Burton, a voice actor, providing the intro vocals.[12]

Dieselboy has been involved in various clothing collaborations, including work with NEO4IC (formerly Damascus Apparel) in San Diego.[13]

Human Imprint

On August 13, 2023, Dieselboy hosted his inaugural drum and bass event in New York City, named 'Big Drum and Bass Party', in collaboration with promotion company Driven AM.[14][15][16]

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 exploitation 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)].[17]

On January 31, 2014, Dieselboy and bass music artist Downlink teamed up to launch a DJ touring project known as BLOOD, SWEAT AND BASS.[18][19][20] The duo completed five concert tours across the United States and Canada with various featured support artists.[19]

On January 31, 2011, Dieselboy released his first new mix in two and a half years, "Dieselboy – Unleashed!", as a free download on SoundCloud.[21][22] He also performed with Skrillex.[23] In 2012 he released the mix "Wake The Dead" on SoundCloud.[24] On May 23, 2013, Dieselboy's mix "Beyond the Black Bassline" was released by Skrillex's then new NEST HQ website.

In May 2008, Dieselboy released his ninth major mix-CD Substance D (Human Imprint),[25] which reached the Billboard Dance/Electronic album chart.[26] 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.

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.[27]

In the summer of 2000, Dieselboy contributed to the formation of the drum and bass DJ crew called "Planet of the Drums", alongside AK1200, DJ Dara, and MC Messinian.

SubHuman

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 for dubstep and electro releases.[28]

On New Year's Eve 2009, Higgins performed a three-hour multi-genre set including drum and bass, dubstep, and electro at an event in Washington, D.C. He continued using this open format layout through 2010.[citation needed]

Culinary career

In 2014, Higgins began participating in commercial kitchen events following his work as a culinary writer for the website FirstWeFeast.com.[29] He cooked a sold-out collaboration dinner with respected chefs Matt McCallister and Alex Stupak at FT33 restaurant in Dallas on June 9, 2014.[30][31] Dieselboy competed in a nacho battle against chef Alex Stupak at Empellón Cocina in New York in February 2013, which he lost.[32] He came back to face off against chefs Alex Stupak, Michael Anthony, Wylie Dufresne and Seamus Mullen in February 2014, beating Mullen.[33]

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.[34]

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.[35] 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.[36] 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 23rd in the 2014 America's Best DJ Poll, up 19 places from the previous year's 42nd position, between Moby and BT.[37]

On February 12, 2012, Skrillex cited Dieselboy during his acceptance speech for the Grammy Award for Best Remixed Recording, Non-Classical, referencing the saying "All the boats rise with the water."[38]

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.

Personal life

Dieselboy has a son with his ex-partner Jackie Carnesi, born in 2018.[39][40]

Discography

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)
  • Murder Machine Feat Dieselboy (Digital) – Bare & Mark Instinct, Human Imprint (SUBHM 012, 7/18/2011)
  • W.M.F.D. (Digital) – Dieselboy & Bare, Human Imprint (HUMA 8035, 6/20/2012)
  • Beyond Thunderdome (Digital) – Dieselboy & Bare, Human Imprint (HUMA 8037, 7/17/2012)
  • MDMX (Digital) – Gridlok feat. Dieselboy, Project 51 (P5130, 8/25/2014)
  • Blvck Celebration (Digital) – Faces of Def (Dieselboy & Mark The Beast) & Counterstrike, Human Imprint (SUBHM 038, 9/30/2014)
  • Carcosa (Digital) – Dieselboy, Downlink, Mark The Beast & Mayhem, Human Imprint (SUPA 01, 5/12/2015)
  • Angel Dust (Digital) – Dieselboy & Mark The Beast, Human Imprint (HUMA 8040, 1/30/2017)
  • Demolition (Digital) – Dieselboy, Bare & Mark The Beast feat Armanni Reign, Human Imprint (SUBHM 044, 9/4/2017)
  • Stagediver (Digital) – Dieselboy, Mark The Beast & Counterstrike, Human Imprint (HUMA 8042, 6/29/2018)

Mixtapes / DJ Mixes

  • Future Sound Of Hardcore (1994)
  • Witness The Strength (1995)
  • Supreme (1995)
  • East Coast Science 1 with Scott Henry (1996)
  • East Coast Science 2 with Scott Henry (1997)
  • East Coast Science 3 with Scott Henry (1998)
  • Director’s Cut (1998)
  • DJ Magazine World Series (2003)
  • Live At The Jungle Room (2005)
  • Unleashed! (2011)
  • Live At Beta (2012)
  • Wake The Dead (2012)
  • Beyond The Black Bassline (2013)
  • The Destroyer (2014)
  • The Destroyer 2 - Extinction Event (2016)
  • Planet Of The Drums - Awakening (2017)
  • Heart Of Darkness (2019)
  • Live At EDC (2019)
  • Heavy Breathing (2021)
  • BBC Radio 1 Drum & Bass Show Guest Mix (2021)

Substance D

  • Dieselboy + Ewun - Warning Label
  • Demo - Trauma/Cell (SPKTRM Duomix)
  • Limewax - One Of Them (Current Value Remix)
  • Technical Itch - Pressure Drop VIP
  • Technical Itch + Kemal - The Calling (Evol Intent + Ewun Remix)
  • Psidream - Death Sentence
  • Freeland - We Want Your Soul (Raiden Remix)
  • Dieselboy + Evol Intent + Ewun - Midnight Express
  • SPKTRM - Machine March
  • Current Value - Fear / Machine (Demo Duomix)
  • Demo - O.D.
  • The Upbeats - SFX
  • Counterstrike - Timewarp VIP
  • MSTRKRFT - Paris (The Upbeats Remix)
  • Computer Club - Load Rocket (Gridlok Remix)
  • Meat Beat Manifesto - Helter Skelter (Evol Intent + Mayhem Remix)
  • Dieselboy - N/V/D (Counterstrike Zentraedi Remix)

The Human Resource

Disc One: Selected Works

  • Vector Burn – Paradise Lost (D-Star Remix)
  • ƆƐI3C – Mass Hysteria (Hive Remix)
  • Kaos + Karl K + Jae Kennedy – Houston
  • Styles Of Beyond – Subculture (Upbeats Remix)
  • DJ Fresh – Wargames '03
  • Skynet – Catherine Wheel
  • Evol Intent + Ewun – The Rapture
  • ƆƐI3C* – Grunge 3 (Dieselboy + Kaos + Karl K Remix)
  • Dieselboy + Kaos Feat. Messinian – Barrier Break (Infiltrata + Hochi Remix)
  • Evol Intent + Mayhem (7) + Thinktank (3) – Broken Sword
  • Dieselboy + Kaos – Submission
  • Kaos + Karl K + Jae Kennedy – Studio 54

Disc Two: Evol Intent Assemble The Monster

  • Evol Intent + Dieselboy – Vivify
  • Infiltrata + Define – Parallel Universe
  • Evol Intent + Mayhem (7) + Thinktank (3) – Broken Sword
  • Upbeats – Piss Fiend
  • Kaos + Karl K + Jae Kennedy – Moonraker (Gridlok Remix)
  • Evol Intent + Mayhem (7) + Psidream – Assimilation
  • Styles Of Beyond – Subculture (Upbeats Remix)
  • Kaos + Karl K + Jae Kennedy – Xanadu (Stratus Remix)
  • DJ Fresh* – Wargames '03
  • ƆƐI3C* – Mass Hysteria (Hive Remix)
  • Dieselboy + Kaos – Barrier Break
  • Dieselboy + Kaos – Barrier Break (Infiltrata + Hochi Remix)
  • Evol Intent + Ewun – Reality Check
  • Upbeats* – Le Mammoth
  • Evol Intent + Ewun – The Rapture
  • BT – Knowledge Of Self (Evol Intent Remix)
  • ƆƐI3C* – Grunge 3 (Diesleboy + Kaos + Karl K Remix)
  • Ewun – The Divide
  • Stratus – You Must Follow (Anthology)
  • Dieselboy + Technical Itch – Atlantic State (Gridlok Remix)
  • Dieselboy + Kaos – Submission
  • Sasha – Fundamental (Gridlok Remix)
  • BT – The Great Escape (Alliance Remix)

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)
  • No Control – Bro Safari, UFO! & Beauty Brain (Dieselboy + Mark The Beast Remix) Free Download (2015)

Videogames

  • Amplitude : Styles of Beyond – Subculture (Dieselboy & Kaos Rock Remix)
  • Crackdown : Dieselboy & Kaos – Barrier Break
  • Gran Turismo 4 : Dieselboy & Kaos & Karl K (feat. Messinian) – Nitro
  • Need for Speed: Most Wanted : Dieselboy & Kaos – Barrier Break
  • Saints Row : Styles of Beyond – Subculture (Dieselboy & Kaos Remix)
  • Lawbreakers: Dieselboy & Mark The Beast – Abaddon / Dieselboy & Mark The Beast - Sunshine

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)[41]

Filmography

  • Put the Needle on the Record (2004)[42]
  • American Massive (2002)[43]
  • Atlantic State (Technical Itch + Dieselboy), Sounds & Motion: V. 01 (Ukraine, 2002)
  • Moonshine Over America (2000)[44]

Literature

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. Archived 2022-02-26 at the Wayback Machine.
  7. ^ Merced, Jewels Gallegos (December 18, 2000). "DieselBoy: A Drum and Bass Evolution". Archived 2008-02-29 at the Wayback Machine.
  8. ^ "About". Destroyer Design. Retrieved 2023-10-04.
  9. ^ djtimesmag (2017-09-14). "Dieselboy: Blood Sweat & Bass". The Nexus of All Things DJ. Retrieved 2023-10-04.
  10. ^ Parsons, Brad Thomas (2023-03-10). "Dive Bar Jukebox with Damian Higgins AKA Dieselboy". Last Call. Retrieved 2023-10-04.
  11. ^ Ortega, Jennifer (2020-04-28). "Streetwear Line Death Saves Presents Spring Awakening 2020". Culturally Obsessed. Retrieved 2023-10-04.
  12. ^ "Sound-Bar Dieselboy". sound-bar.com. Retrieved 2023-10-04.
  13. ^ "DNB TRIBUTE LEGACY OF LOWEND DIESELBOY SHIRT". neo4ic.com. Retrieved 2023-10-04.
  14. ^ "BIG DRUM & BASS PARTY"
  15. ^ "BIG DRUM AND BASS PARTY: DIESELBOY @ Roberta's Pizza, Brooklyn - August 13th 2023", 15 August 2023, retrieved 2023-10-04
  16. ^ "BIG DRUM & BASS PARTY: DIESLEBOY, DARA @ Robertas Pizza, Roberta's Pizza Brooklyn NY, 13 August 2023", stayhappening.com, retrieved 2023-10-04
  17. ^ [http://doandroidsdance.com/features/dieselboy-the-destroyer/"Dieselboy "- The Destroyer" by Khal"]. DoAndroidsDance.com. August 5, 2014. Retrieved 24 August 2020.[dead link]
  18. ^ "DOWNLINK + DIESELBOY: BLOOD, SWEAT & BASS". Bassrush. Retrieved 2023-10-04.
  19. ^ "Blood, Sweat, and Bass ft. Downlink & Dieselboy | Sky SLC". tickets.skyslc.com. Retrieved 2023-10-04.
  20. ^ djtimesmag (2017-09-14). "Dieselboy: Blood Sweat & Bass". The Nexus of All Things DJ. Retrieved 2023-10-04.
  21. ^ "Dieselboy interview". beatification.kuci.org. Retrieved 2016-12-13.
  22. ^ "Unleashed!". Soundcloud.com
  23. ^ "Skrillex and Dieselboy | SSG Music". 2011-02-03. Archived from the original on 2011-02-03. Retrieved 2016-12-13.
  24. ^ "Wake The Dead (Remastered)". Soundcloud.com
  25. ^ Jenkins, Mark (June 6, 2008). "DIESELBOY "Substance D" Human Imprint/System". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2016-10-06.
  26. ^ "Dieselboy – Chart history | Billboard". Billboard.com. Retrieved 2016-12-13.
  27. ^ "DIESELBOY "The Human Resource" Human/System MESSINIAN "Rhymes Against Humanity" Messinian". The Washington Post. 2006-06-30. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2016-12-13.
  28. ^ "Dieselboy Talks Online Promotion Difficulties, Labels, Free Mixes". Dotted Music. 2011-03-20. Retrieved 2016-12-13.
  29. ^ Ulla, Gabe (2012-09-25). "Dieselboy on Great Meals and Cooking With Alex Stupak". Eater. Retrieved 2016-12-13.
  30. ^ Higgins, Damien (June 24, 2014). "My First Night on the Line". Firstwefeast.com
  31. ^ Filloon, Whitney (23 May 2014). "Matt McCallister Teams Up With Alex Stupak & Dieselboy". Dallas.eater.com
  32. ^ "The Great Nacho Cook-off: Alex Stupak vs. DJ Dieselboy". Firstwefeast.com
  33. ^ "The Second Annual First We Feast Nacho Battle". Firstwefeast.com
  34. ^ "Questove's Food Salon MIAMI Featuring Daniel Patterson, Dave Beran, and Christina Tosi". Vimeo.com. 10 January 2015.
  35. ^ "Get Caught in the Mix@ICC". StarChefs.com
  36. ^ "First We Feast and PDT Present: The Hot Dog Sessions". Firstwefeast.com
  37. ^ "2014 Top 50 – America's Best DJ". Americabestdj. Archived from the original on 2014-09-13.
  38. ^ "Skrillex Wins Best Remixed Recording, Non-Classical". Grammy.com
  39. ^ "bertiehiggins.com - Bio". bertiehiggins.com. Retrieved 2023-10-04.
  40. ^ Shin, Caroline (2023-01-09). "Nura Chef Jackie Carnesi's Favorite New York Lunch Spots". Resy | Right This Way. Retrieved 2023-10-04.
  41. ^ "Various Artists – Unique Artists – Volume 1 :: Unique Artists :: UA001CD". RollDaBeats.com. Archived from the original on 2012-02-29. Retrieved 2010-09-16.
  42. ^ "Put the Needle on the Record". IMDb.com. 25 July 2004.
  43. ^ "American Massive". IMDb.com. 1 August 2002.
  44. ^ WhateverzOn (30 August 2010). "MOONSHINE OVERAMERICA THE DOCUMENTARY Part 3 of 5". YouTube