ROCKPONY is a two-member group who produces electro/house music and performs in venues throughout Austin, Texas. To enhance their live performances, they use six LED Shadow™ blacklights, four COLORpalette™ LED bank systems, two Impulse™ 648 strobe lights, two COLORband™ PiX pixel-mapping wash lights, a Hurricane™ haze machine and an Obey™ 40 DMX controller to operate everything. Listen to their music and check out some of the photos they shared with us.
Bill Lyons, aka DJ Bill Lyons, lives in Bangor, Maine and DJs at wedding receptions, clubs, holiday parties and school dances from Bar harbor to Millinocket. Read on and get to know more about your fellow DJ.
1. How did you get started as a DJ?
Back in 1980, we hosted a school dance to raise money for our high school class. With the help of friends, we put together a sound system, setup a few lights and DJ’d the dance. It’s been almost 32 years and I still get people that remember those dances.
2. Is this a full-time job or something you do on the side?
I am the general manager at an airport retail company where I put in more than 40 hours per week. However, I always put full-time hours into my DJ business.
3. What fixtures are included in your setup?
My setup keeps growing as I get new ideas and new lights become available. My light show consists of two Intimidator™ Spot LED 150 moving heads, 12 SlimPAR™ 64 wash lights, two LED Pinspot™ 360 fixtures and two Hurricane™ F-800 fog machines. To create effects, I also have a Cubix™, two Derby™ X, two Obsession™ LED and two Slasher™ effect lights. I use an Obey™ 10 DMX controller to control all my fixtures, but I would love to have the ShowXpress™ software. I would also like to add some of the completely wireless Freedom™ fixtures as well as a couple more SlimPAR™ 64 wash lights.
4. What is your favorite fixture?
Intimidator™ Spot LED 150 is by far my favorite fixture. I am new to DMX and these lights have so much to offer — I learn something new about them each time I use them. Great product.
5. Best advice you can give someone just getting started in the DJ industry?
Pay attention to your client and give them 110 percent every time. The music is for their listening and dancing enjoyment, not yours. Keep in mind that anyone can play music, but it’s what you do for your client (before and while you are playing) that sets the professionals apart from the others. Be a professional.
6. What are your top three most requested songs?
“Wild Ones” by Flo Rida, “Call Me Maybe” by Carly Rae Jepsen and “Turn Me On” by David Guetta and Nicki Minaj.
Bill Lyons is a DJ in the Bangor, Maine area who recently added two CHAUVET® DJ Intimidator™ Spot LED 150 moving heads to his setup. He owns his own business, DJ Bill Lyons, and caters to the area from Bar Harbor all the way up to Millinocket. He specializes in weddings, but holiday parties, school dances and clubs make up a lot of his gigs. Read on to see why this DJ added Intimidator™ Spot LED 150 moving heads to his setup and how he feels about their performance.
1. Why did you select a CHAUVET® DJ fixture?
I have always trusted Chauvet. I have quite a few CHAUVET® DJ fixtures in my setup including: two Intimidator™ Spot LED 150 moving heads, 12 CHAUVET® DJ SlimPAR™ 64 wash lights, two CHAUVET® DJ LED Pinspot™ 360 fixtures and two CHAUVET® DJ Hurricane™ F-800 fog machines. To create effects, I also have a CHAUVET® DJ Cubix™, two CHAUVET® DJ Derby™ X, two CHAUVET® DJ Obsession™ LED and two CHAUVET® DJ Slasher™ effect lights. I use an CHAUVET® DJ Obey™ 40 DMX controller to control all my fixtures, but I would love to have the CHAUVET® DJ ShowXpress™ software.
2. Why did you decide to add Intimidator™ Spot LED 150 moving heads to your setup?
It was exactly what I was looking for — a bright moving yoke that was compact, lightweight and not too heavy.
3. What specific features were you looking for?
I wanted a moving yoke that would work perfectly in the venues I play in. I wanted it to be easy to control and operate with amazing coverage.
4. What do you like best/least about Intimidator™ Spot LED 150?
I like the size and speed of the moving yoke. If I was able to add a feature, I would like this fixture to include changeable gobos.
5. Do you feel it’s easy to operate?
These fixtures are very easy to operate.
6. Would you recommend this fixture, why or why not?
Absolutely. They are the main focus of my light show. I really love all the effects this light projects. They are bright, fun to use and I never get bored with them.
Robert A. Velasco, aka DJ Awtkazt (pronounced outcast), is a DJ who lives in New Brunswick, N.J. and caters to the N.Y. and N.J. areas. He owns and operates Skorpio Productions Entertainment and DJs all types events from car shows to weddings. Read on and get to know more about him.
1. How did you get started as a DJ?
I became interested in DJing in the 80′s because my uncle was a DJ in the NY mobile circuit. I started DJing in 1994 and currently do private and corporate events.
2. Is this a full-time job or something you do on the side?
DJing is a part-time gig for me. I work full time as an implementation analyst for a healthcare automation company.
3. What fixtures are included in your setup?
I use an Obey™ 40 DMX controller to control my fixtures. I’m looking to add Intimidator™ Spot LED 150 moving yokes, a haze or fog machine and a bunch of SlimPAR™ wash lights for uplighting.
4. What is your favorite fixture?
I haven’t added moving yokes or scanners to my setup yet, so I can’t say I have a favorite fixture. I can’t wait to see the lineup coming to the 2012 DJ Expo because I plan to pick up some new gear.
5. Best advice you can give someone just getting started in the DJ industry?
Seek professional advice and budget accordingly.
6. What are your top three most requested songs?
“Call Me Maybe” by Carly Rae Jepsen, “Brokenhearted” by Karmin and “Drive By” by Train.
Bad Habitz, a youth rock band based in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, jams out under the light of CHAUVET® DJ fixtures. Jon-Paul LeClair runs the light show for this little group of rockers and incorporates 23 CHAUVET® DJ fixtures in their setup. Read on and get to know more about the band.
1. How did you come up with the name of the band?
The founder’s last name is Abitz, so they thought Bad Habitz would be a cool name.
2. How many members are there?
The band is comprised of four members: Zakk Abitz, 13 (lead vocals, lead guitar), Chloe Abitz, 10 (drums, vocals), Parker-Jon LeClair, 13 (bass, vocals) and Tanner Lardinois, 14 (rhythm, lead guitar and vocals).
3. What type of music do you play?
Bad Habitz plays 70’s and 80’s hard rock, as well as anything from Tesla, FireHouse, Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, Soundgarden and Metallica.
4. What CHAUVET® DJ fixtures are included in your setup?
I use two 4BAR™ Tri wash lights for uplighting, six SlimPAR™ Tri-12 IRC to wash the stage and highlight performers and eight SlimPAR™ 64 for highlighting the drummer and downlighting. Two 4Play™ effect lights create a nice beam effect, while two Intimidator™ Scan LED 300 scanners add movement and excitement. The fixtures are controlled using an Obey™ 40 controller and a Data Stream™ 4 allows me to run lines to each section of the stage instead of daisy chaining everything. To enhance the beams and make the lights pop, I use a Hurricane™ 1100 fog machine.
5. Are they permanently installed somewhere or do you set them up for each performance?
The band performs in local bars throughout Fox Valley, at festivals and other events. My rig is completely portable and has to be to accommodate the band. It probably takes about an hour, sometimes a little bit longer, to set everything up.
6. Complete this thought: A show without lights is like…..
A show without lights is like steak without A1 Steak Sauce. It’s that important.
Jukebox is a three-member band located in Pittsburgh who uses CHAUVET® fixtures during their performances throughout Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Ohio. Read on and get to know more about this band who rocks out to music from every era!
1. How did you come up with the name of your band?
Over the years, we have all played in different types of bands including cover bands, original bands, touring bands, hired guns, etc. I wanted to put together a straight party band with a setlist. We decided on the name Jukebox because our setlist ended up becoming massive and we take a lot of requests — like your own personal jukebox!
2. How many members are there?
Our band is comprised of three members: Dave Charles (bass and vocals), Monte Erwin (guitar and vocals) and Crash McCracken (drums and vocals).
3. What type of music do you play?
We play everything — like a jukebox! Most of our setlist is comprised of rock from different decades as well as dance, funk, hair metal, heavy metal — you name it!
4. What CHAUVET® fixtures are included in your setup?
We have two towers, each with a COLORrail™ IRC and a COLORdash™ Batten, placed at the rear corners of the stage for effect. Eight SlimPAR™ 64 wash lights illuminate the stage and a Scorpion™ laser mounted to truss provides effects. Our entire rig is controlled by an Obey™ 40 controller which I use to set up a ton of different chases and scenes.
5. Are they permanently installed somewhere or do you set them up for each performance?
I prewire the truss so the fixtures are easily unplugged and stowed. Depending on the venue, our entire rig (both audio and lighting) takes approximately an hour and a half to set up and break down.
6. Complete this thought: A show without lights is like…..
No show at all!! Bands are entertainment — put on a good show, play well and give them something spectacular to look at!
