PBR Streetgang Interview: a bunch of misfits on a crazy journey

Leeds duo PBR Streetgang know a thing or two about a groove. They’ve been adding swagger and attitude to the raw ingredients of house, disco and techno for a hot minute now, creating records and Dj sets that drip with funk. Whether you’ve been body popping to the duo on a dancefloor or hearing their tracks rippling through the sets of others (they boast a diverse fanbase that includes Derrick Carter, Pete Tong and Todd Terje), chances are if you like a good sashay you’ve come across these two.

This weekend the duo of Tom Thorpe and Bonar Bradberry head to Liverpool to bring their incendiary style to Haus Warehouse, part of the Freeze and Waxxx collaboration that also boasts Tensnake among the starlets. We caught up with them both to discuss the summer at We Love, Leeds’ innate charms and their thoughts on that dream situation. 

Hi guys, thanks for speaking to us. You’re due to play for Freeze and Waxxx in Liverpool soon; know much about either promoter? And what have been your experiences of the city in the past?

(BB) We've heard they know who to throw a party which is why we wanted to play for them! 

We've had some great experiences in the past in Liverpool including playing at the legendary Circus on my Birthday a few years ago, and more recently the Shipping forecast has been great fun too.

As a duo you’ve been a consistent part of the Leeds scene for the past few years. What makes the city special?

(T) Leeds has a great scene, it's been like that for as long as I’ve been living there which is around twelve years now. People have been brought up with great underground music over the years, look at Basics… it's been going for over two decades, it's definitely had an effect and influenced up and coming promoters, DJ's and producers in the city.

You’re also residents for We Love in Ibiza; how has the season been compared to others? Is Ibiza still smashing it and what has changed about the island this year in your eyes?

(BB) I can’t speak for the rest of the island with any authority really, but yeah, this year at We Love has probably be better than any other we have been involved in so far. Busier, better vibe about the whole place and the line ups are even better too, from Skudge to Disclosure We Love is trying to do things differently to a lot of other night on the Island and it’s working.

How has the rest of your summer been so far? We’ve noticed gigs at quite a few festivals and Croatia popping up, what have been the highlights?

(T) It has been great so far thank you, the Garden festival in Croatia (as you mentioned) is always a highlight. Other gigs which put a smile on our faces were Glastonbury, Secret Garden Party, Lovebox and the Garden party in Leeds.

Where else have you got gigs coming up in the future?

(BB) Well on Sunday straight after Freeze & Waxxx we have the honour of playing at the Nottingham Carnival for the Sancho Panza Street Party which has been an ambition ours for a long time! Others you might wanna come see: 

7/9/13 - Bestival (Bollywood Tent) Isle of Wight

7/9/13 - Coalition - Brighton

10-12/9/13 - Unknown Festival, Croatia

28/9/13 - The Warehouse Project, Manchester

29/9/13 – We Love… @Space, Ibiza Closing Party

You took your name from Apocalypse Now; what was the inspiration behind choosing it and why did it fit in with your musical ethos?

(T) As you probably know PBR Streetgang is the name of patrol boat form the film Apocalypse Now, it's basically takes a bunch of misfits on a crazy journey… seemed very fitting and we love the film!

Moving onto productions, you recently worked with Crazy P’s Danielle Moore for a single on Futureboogie. How much fun was it working with her and it a partnership you’ll continue to reprise?

(BB) Danielle has been good friend of ours for years so doing anything with our mates is always gonna be fun..  In terms of Danielle’s range and scope this project was pretty limited for her so yes we definitely plan to write something together in future where she can really be set free so to speak. 

What other tracks are you working on or are forthcoming from you 

(T) Right now we are just finishing an EP for the excellent NYC label Throne of Blood, and a remix for L.A. label Culprit. Then we also have a remix coming out on Leftroom and then the rest… its top secret.

And finally, dream situation time. You can go back to any period in clubland history, and play at any club. Who would you have playing alongside you and what tune would you drop that would define the evening?

BB- that’s a ridiculously hard question…  

Well naturally being disco kids I’d have to say the Paradise Garage in New York with Larry Levan or the Music Box with Ron Hardy in Chicago. But to be honest anything that had a vibe like this would do…