10 Questions with DJ Moneyshot (Roy Spencer) from The Allergies: ‘Our next single – ‘I’m On It’ – is fast, tough, and should rattle a few speakers when it drops.’

How did you and Adam (Volson, the second half of The Allergies, aka Rackabeat) meet?

DJ Moneyshot: We were both DJing at the same festival tent called Chai Wallas as it went around the country. We’d often share the same car to get there and bonded along the way. That was probs back in 2011, or a year either side. 

How would you describe your music?

DJ Moneyshot: It is pretty much a mix of feel good hip-hop and beefed up funk. Heavy on the samples, and fun to DJ out (we hope). 

What can you tell us about your new album, Say The Word?

DJ Moneyshot: Our fourth album, Say The Word, drops today (17th July, 2020)! Check it out – https://theallergies.bandcamp.com. Two years in the making. The vinyl is bright orange and the art is as colourful as the music inside. You won’t believe yours eyes and ears [laughs]. 

Tell me a bit about how you came to collaborate with The Cuban Brothers. Are you working with them on other tracks on the album?

DJ Moneyshot: They were touring (pre-Covid) and we got talking about getting them a beat that they could use to promote that. After sending group leader Mike/Miguel a few bits we thought fitted them to a tee, he picked what would become ‘Let Them Know’. He deffo matched the sunny horns and hip-hop beats with his dope raps and sing-a-long chorus. We love it. It’s our only joint on the album with them, though. Once you’ve been in their orbit, you know you’ll get pulled back in again, so you never know…

Are you collaborating with anyone else on the new album?

DJ Moneyshot: We’ve got two UK rappers, Dr Syntax and Skunkadelic, who we’ve had on previous albums, joining forces on the next single – ‘I’m On It’ – which is fast, tough, and should rattle a few speakers when it drops. Drum ‘n’ bass/rap legend, Dynamite MC, is on this album on the hip-hop banger  ‘Hot Sensation’ – that’s super new for us. We brought in our live band lead vocalist, Marietta Smith, of the funk group, Smith & The Honey Badgers. She’s all over the album, and it was great to let her do her thing on record. Besides that, we’ve got a gospel singer from LA called Charles Morgan on a super funky track called ‘Get Yourself Some’. Then it’s the man, the myth, the mic magician himself, Mr. Andy Cooper, who takes centre stage on this album. He’s a third member and smashes everything he touches. Then we got our live sax don, Mr. Woodnote. He plays across the album, but gets his own solo track called ‘Take Me Back’, which he kills. Oh, and art work from Bristol graff legend, Loch Ness.

Who are your musical heroes?

DJ Moneyshot: Prince Paul, Cut Chemist, The Wiseguys, Fatboy Slim, The Avalanches, The Bomb Squad. Basically anyone who takes their record collection and makes a dope track out of it.

Who would you most like to work with if you could pick anyone in the music industry?

DJ Moneyshot: Davie, Slowthai, Big Daddy Kane, Ocean Wisdom, Slug, the remaining Beastie Boys, Biz Markie…the list goes on. Basically anyone with that larger than life personality, stage presence, ‘It’ factor, and vocal skills. Imagine making the PERFECT beat for any of them. Wow!

What is your favourite Allergies song?

DJ Moneyshot: For me, ‘I’m On It’ off this new album. (The single will be released on 28 August 2020.) That’s a sweet mix of driving bboy beats and post punk bass. Raw and funky. And Skunkadelic and Syntax kill it on the raps.

Tell us something most people don’t know about you?

DJ Moneyshot: After working on this album I now have tinnitus and need glasses. Worth it though…and SPEAK UP! [laughs].

If you could only play one album for the rest of your life, what would it be?

DJ Moneyshot: John Cage – 4’33. Ahhh, the sound of silence.

(Photo of The Allergies, DJ Moneyshot on right: Khali Ackford)