Bang Gang DJs' Dan Single: 'We Love That We're Seen As A Heritage Act'

Sydney's Bang Gang DJs epitomised the 2000s' dance music scene with their eccentric and exuberantly messy party philosophy.

They were equated with all things electro-house while embracing nu-rave and proto-indie sleaze aesthetics – their rise paralleling the popularity of MySpace, Tumblr and blogs.

The crew was formed in the early 2000s by Dan Single (aka Dangerous Dan) with his younger brother Beni (DJ Damage), Ajax, Jaime Doom, Gus Da Hoodrat and Double Nolan – Ajax (Adrian Thomas), the sole pro DJ, their mentor.

The Bang Gang Deejays ran a notorious club night – first at Moulin Rouge in Kings Cross, then Club 77 – and were residents at Melbourne's fabled Honkytonks. They toured globally. Mylo wrote their bio.

Not only did the collective rock parties, but they also dropped mixtapes – including 2007's official Light Sound Dance on Modular Recordings as well as a bumper volume of the Mashed series for Ministry Of Sound Australia.

Various members branched out. In 2008 Ajax, an Aussie super-DJ, instituted Sweat It Out, signing RÜFÜS DU SOL.

Meanwhile, Single built up the Ksubi streetwear empire (launched as tsubi with partners in 1999), inspiring Kanye West's fashion ventures – the alt-hipster a future indie sleaze icon.

The brand made headlines when for a 2001 Australian Fashion Week show they released rats onto the catwalk. Single even created a ksubi mix-CD for !K7's tastemaking DJ-Kicks series. But today, he's no longer involved in ksubi.

Alas, Ajax passed in 2013, the Bang Gang Deejays apparently dissolving.

But, Single maintains, its DJs still sporadically play out – and he and Jaime will join the touring Ministry Of Sound Testament party this month, repping the '00s for Session Two with international acts such as The Bloody Beetroots, Digitalism and Stanton Warriors.

Single has produced music, being best known for cutting 2006's club hit Around The World alongside Nicky Van She – like Daft Punk with guitars. Lately, he aired the "electro-acid-disco jam" Just Like That, featuring Moanique, on Music To Dance To – his label with Nicky.

Purple Sneakers caught up with the Byron Bay-based Single for a quick – and playful – Q&A.

We were very surprised to see the Bang Gang Deejays on the Testament bill. When did you guys last play out?

Interesting. Why were you surprised? We played at the last Testament and the one before that; Byron Bay over summer this year and Byron Bay over the Queen's [King's] Birthday long weekend just passed.

Were you surprised to see us on the bill because you thought we were still doing our residency at Pikes in Ibiza or because you thought it would be hard for us all to leave our Vegas residency? We are still here for the people: the people are number one and we will travel far and wide to make the people dance.

As an event, Testament taps into nostalgia for the dance music of the '90s and 2000s. How do you feel about Bang Gang Deejays being seen as a heritage act?

We love that we are seen as a 'heritage' act. According to the people, we are seen as a 'FUTURE DISCO SOUND' act. It's nice to know we are crossing genres from the past to the future. Obviously, for Testament, we will be playing a 'heritage' set.

But, man, babe, friend, you should see us play the future disco sound set. It's very futuristic – people don't know what to think… yet.

In fact, nostalgia has surged during the pandemic and even younger audiences are embracing the music of previous eras. What do you think is driving that?

We love it – people should embrace music from all eras. Just like we should embrace all people in all colours, all shapes and all sizes.

Are you yourself nostalgic – and what for?

Of course – nostalgic for the happy memories we cherish, and the bad memories we learn from.

You guys generated your own mythology and were associated with mythic clubs like Honkytonks. Do you have any stand-out memories? Any wild stories you can share?

We are storytellers; we have lots of stories. I wouldn't know where to start. Help us narrow down by choosing from the list below…

MUSIC
MATES 
SEX
DRUGS.

You were on Daft Punk's Australian tour in 2007. What was that like?

Up there as one of the best, most exciting, inspiring times ever. Thomas [Bangalter] and Guy Man [de Homem-Christo] are very private – to respect the privacy of the robots. I am going to say, 'Thank you my heroes.' MY LIPS ARE SEALED.

What can you say about your current activity – musical or creative in general, as you obviously are a fashion mogul?

 Well. Lots of together plans, separate plans. Plans, plans, plans – activity is a lot. We don't like to brag, we like you to search.

 Finally, what can we look forward to from Bang Gang Deejays at Testament – any teasers as to what you will play?

 Many good songs – hard, fast, hard, deep, slow and everything in between.

MINISTRY OF SOUND TESTAMENT LINE-UP AND SESSIONS

TESTAMENT SYDNEY - OVERSEAS PASSENGER TERMINAL 

SESSION ONE / 90s - SAT 5 AUG / 4pm - 12am (SOLD OUT)

Featuring: Barbara Tucker (USA) / Inner City (USA) / Phil Hartnoll (UK) / Tall Paul (UK)

Plus: Alan Thompson / Illya / Jade / John Course / John Ferris / Johnny Gleeson / Jumping Jack / Kate Munroe / Lexie Bradfield / Lorna / Mark Dynamix / Mike Dotch / Ming D / Nick Field / Nick Law / Phil Smart / Simon Caldwell / Suzie Q / Tim McGee / Trent Rackus

SESSION TWO / 00s - SUN 6 AUG / 2pm - 10pm

Featuring: The Bloody Beetroots (IT) / Digitalism (GER) / Freq Nasty (NZ/UK) / Stanton Warriors (UK)

Plus: Act Yo Age / Bang Gang Deejays / Cassette / Dirty South / Elroy / Goodwill / Groove Terminator / Jace Disgrace / John Course / Kato / Kid Kenobi / Minx / Ritual / Shamus / Skool of Thought (UK) / StePHan / Sveta / Tommy Trash / Yolanda Be Cool

TESTAMENT MELBOURNE - THE TIMBER YARD 

SESSION ONE / 00s - SAT 12 AUG / 3pm - 11pm (SOLD OUT)

Featuring: The Bloody Beetroots (IT) / Digitalism (GER) / Freq Nasty (NZ/UK) / Stanton Warriors (UK) / Boogs / Dirty South / Orkestrated

Plus: Andee Van Damage / Bang Gang Deejays / Gab Oliver / John Course / Minx / Sunshine / T-Rek

SESSION TWO / 90s - SUN 13 AUG / 2pm - 10pm

Featuring: Barbara Tucker (USA) / Inner City (USA) / Phil Hartnoll (UK) / Tall Paul (UK) / Papa Smurf / John Course / Anthony Pappa

Plus: Jason Digby / Kasey Taylor / Mark Dynamix / Mark Pellegrini / Sean Quinn / Sgt Slick

TESTAMENT PERTH - METRO CITY

SESSION ONE / 00s - SAT 5 AUG / 8pm – 3am

Featuring: The Bloody Beetroots (IT) / Digitalism (GER) / Freq Nasty (NZ/UK) / Stanton Warriors (UK)

Plus: Bang Gang Deejays / Blend / Goodwill / Groove Terminator / Micah / Milly / Philly Blunt vs Mono Lisa / Roller DJs / Royce / Rudy

SESSION TWO / 90s - FRI 11 AUG / 8pm - 3am

Featuring: Barbara Tucker (USA) / Inner City (USA) / Phil Hartnoll (UK) / Tall Paul (UK)

Plus: Choice / DJ Kev / Hutcho / John Course / Mark Dynamix / Menis / Miggy / Rachel Harvey / 

Rousa / Royce / Sardi

TESTAMENT BRISBANE - WARNER LANEWAY, FORTITUDE VALLEY

SESSION ONE / 00s - FRI 4 AUG / 8pm – 3am

Featuring: The Bloody Beetroots (IT) / Digitalism (GER) / Freq Nasty (NZ/UK) / Stanton Warriors (UK)

Plus: Goodwill / Groove Terminator / Jaime Doom (Bang Gang Deejays) / Kid Kenobi / Matt Nugent / 

Rasp / Shredlock / Skool of Thought (UK) / Chris Wilson 

SESSION TWO / 90s - SAT 12 AUG / 8pm - 3am

Featuring: Barbara Tucker (USA) / Inner City (USA) / Phil Hartnoll (UK) / Tall Paul (UK)

Plus: Barking Boy / Darren Briais / Jen E / John Course / Mark Dynamix / Matt Kitshon / Rousey

*TESTAMENT ADELAIDE - UNIBAR ADL (00s show only)

00s SESSION - FRI 4 AUG / 8pm - 2am

Featuring: The Bloody Beetroots (IT) / Digitalism (GER) 

Plus:  Loot & Plunder / Minx / Bollocks DJs / Paul Marshman / Dancespace

*TESTAMENT GOLD COAST - MIAMI MARKETTA (00s show only)

00s SESSION - SUN 13 AUG / 12pm - 8pm

Featuring: The Bloody Beetroots (IT) / Digitalism (GER) / Freq Nasty (NZ/UK) / Stanton Warriors (UK)

Plus:  Flash / Goodwill / Jaime Doom (Bang Gang Deejays) / Kid Kenobi / Minx / Shredlock / Skool of Thought (UK) / Tenzin

*TESTAMENT AUCKLAND - STUDIO, AUCKLAND (90s show only)

90s SESSION - FRI 4 AUG / 8pm - 3am (SOLD OUT)

Featuring: Barbara Tucker (USA) / Inner City (USA) / Phil Hartnoll (UK) / Tall Paul (UK)

Plus: DJ Ange / Sam Hill / General Lee