Award-winning beatbox overlord of the parish, THePETEBOX is one of the city’s most ridiculously gifted musical talents. One night, he’s mashing down the Rescue Rooms. Another night, he’s doing guest appearances with people like Nizlopi and blowing them offstage. Then he’s being dragged around
To learn beatboxing you’ve got to be patient and accept the fact you’re not going to sound how you want from day one. Nowadays, it’s a bit easier; there are so many internet resources dedicated to beatboxing, you can see loads of tutorials, you can watch ten year-olds doing some pretty hectic stuff… it’s more accessible. When I was learning all I had was Rahzel and Kela, recorded really well on huge systems, and it’s quite hard to keep going when you’re spluttering out some weak snares and Rahzel is doing things you can’t begin to understand for reference! It all comes with practice, though.
How much time do you spend practising your beatboxing?
Sometimes when I’m on it properly I can spend a couple of hours a day working on new material and practising what I have. Other times, I won’t beatbox for ages. If I’ve got a load of shows on, I don’t tend to practise as the shows are good practice themselves.
When you’re as good as you are, is it difficult to expand your range?
New sounds can be difficult to learn, and can take days or weeks to finally work out. It’s important to believe that you will get there in the end, and just keep on trying. Most sounds are ones you kind of stumble across, then you work on keeping them consistent and working them into routines. My relationship with beatboxing is a strange one; sometimes I love it, and sometimes it bores the hell out of me. Although doing shows is a different matter. I always absolutely love them.
Are your days taken up with beatboxing, or do you have a day job too?
I don’t have a day job. Over the past two months I’ve toured
Where is the best place you've played abroad?
I did a tour of Africa last year from
Difficult one! Eastern Haze festival last year was wicked, and Fabric’s always pretty rocking but I have to say the Chibuku nights are my favourite. I reckon that the Masque in
So who is the best person you’ve worked with to date?
I’m currently working with recording and production genius John Sampson, from the band Swimming, who is really helping me present my recorded material in the best way. He knows how to approach all the things I don’t, so working with him is proving to be a good learning experience as well as making sure all turns out well. Other than John, I’d say it’s gotta be Foreign Beggars. I’ve been on a couple of tours with them as their beatboxer, and being part of their incredible on-stage energy is awesome. The parties are always pretty cool, as well.
Are you planning to enter any other beatboxing competitions?
I’m in the UK Championship Finals after winning the
What future projects do you have lined up?
I’m recording my album at the moment. It’s going to be an extension of what I do live with some more song-based stuff. I’m working with a few producers, one being Notts DnB maniac Ben Fawce. Aside from the recorded stuff, I’m always working to develop my live show, and I’m getting ready for more shows in
Who are your greatest musical influences?
My biggest influence in music is definitely Kurt Cobain. He is the guy who made me want to pick up a guitar and start writing, along with The Pixies and Foo Fighters. Obviously Rahzel and Kela got me started with beatboxing but I think it’s the people around me that inspire me most, my brothers and friends that make music. Like Andy from WeShowUpOnRadar and Ben Fawce. I love electronica stuff like Air, Boards of Canada, Aphex Twin and lots of metal like Tool, Korn, Deftones, Marilyn Manson and System of a Down. I’m a sucker for folk and really like people like Laura Veirs and Maria Taylor. My ‘early listening career’ was started by a love of Queen, The Beatles, Beach Boys, Pop Will Eat Itself and, erm, Jason Donovan.
What do you like to do to chill out?
Going to the gym is good for getting away from thinking about business. I’m usually not too happy about going and am only really glad when I’ve been, it can be a good time to listen to music, clear your head and let ideas swill around. Aside from that, I think I just prime myself for an erratic brain and lifestyle by always thinking about music.
Any recommendations for local talent at the moment?
Yeah, check out 1st Blood, Dan Rattomatic, Ben Fawce, WeShowUpOnRadar, Pilgrim Fathers and Swimming. Trent FM also has a new music podcast on their website, which is
THePETEBOX
Write Commentby musicman Feb 12, 2009, 01:11:26 amI met this lad in London last year and saw him play. He no doubt has talent but with that talent he carries an arrogance which the audience seemed to find repellant. Whats the use in claiming Kurt Cobain as an influence if you reject the sheer humanity that that artist injected into his music. If you allow people to blow smoke up your arse, then at least don't let it go to your head.
by floydy Feb 12, 2009, 08:38:02 ambeatboxing - even duller than people wittering on about Kurdt Cobain
by Al (G) Feb 12, 2009, 09:57:31 amHe's always come across as very down to earth everytime i've seen him perform, but there you go. Maybe he was having a bad day?<a href="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=1369116&server=vimeo.com&fullscreen=1&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=01AAEA" target="_blank">http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=1369116&server=vimeo.com&fullscreen=1&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=01AAEA</a>
by Lord of the Nish Feb 12, 2009, 10:06:49 amSomebody in hip-hop acting 'arrogant'? This is a new and disturbing element to the genre. One hankers for the cheerful eager-to-please demeniour of Schooly D and Ice Cube. No wonder the self-effacing, shy, not-at-all-up-their-own-arses people of London took a dislike to this horrible braggart.
by Andybags Feb 12, 2009, 10:12:31 amHaha..! Quite, Nish....
Surely arrogance is an occupational pre-requisite for them.
by floydy Feb 12, 2009, 10:15:31 amfires up last fm searching for $chooly D - PSK
yes nishlord, the day is off to a TOP start
by themilkman Feb 12, 2009, 03:56:16 pmPete is not the slightest bit arrogant.QuoteWhats the use in claiming Kurt Cobain as an influence if you reject the sheer humanity that that artist injected into his music.
And how is he 'rejecting' anything? Let alone 'humanity'?
by Pete_Spectrum Feb 12, 2009, 04:08:28 pmI find it hilarious how people can work out a persons character for watching them perform an act for 30 mins or so!
I think that this in itself is a talent, perhaps you could start performing yourself!
by Samyouwell Feb 12, 2009, 04:28:07 pmI find it hilarious how people can work out a persons character for watching them perform an act for 30 mins or so!
I think that this in itself is a talent, perhaps you could start performing yourself!
LoL
I saw him last year somewhere, good beatboxer but I saw a guy at a festy over the summer, didnt catch his name but he was amazing. A bit like the guy from police Academy doing sound affects and all. His showpiece was singing a hip hop version of 'My Favourite Things' mixed with 'Slim Shadey'. It sounded like a Dj mixing the tunes. i was blown away.
by Jared Feb 12, 2009, 05:37:46 pmBeardyman?
by 44ton Feb 12, 2009, 05:48:27 pmshy fx ?
by Samyouwell Feb 12, 2009, 06:47:04 pmI never caught his name but he was a young bloke around 22. I asked around after him bt nobody knew his name... I'm sure he's famouse but it was a totally impromptu perormance at an open mic session.
by floydy Feb 13, 2009, 11:19:19 amHe's always come across as very down to earth everytime i've seen him perform, but there you go. Maybe he was having a bad day?
http://vimeo.com/1369116?pg=embed&sec=1369116
is that real or a b3ta thing?
by 44ton Feb 13, 2009, 11:26:42 amvimeo site is pretty good as well,plenty of breakin and graf vids...
by floydy Feb 13, 2009, 11:30:21 amI meant has someone put that music over him for a joke or is that the music that actually does?
by LeftLion Feb 13, 2009, 11:37:09 am
is that real or a b3ta thing?
Both vimeo and the petebox video are real.
by floydy Feb 13, 2009, 11:41:06 amyeah, I've seen vimeo before
that shalom thing made me want to gouge my eyes out
by 44ton Feb 13, 2009, 12:15:18 pmnot into that at all,,thaught the point was all effects are done by the beatboxer,never known of anyone using sampler to enhance that before
by floydy Feb 13, 2009, 12:31:29 pmhe's using a footswitch to loop the phrases
so I uess if you stick to 80s b-boy rules it's a bit wrong
but it just becomes something else
I thought the song and sounds were a joke someone had dubbed on to make him look stupid
by Al (G) Feb 13, 2009, 12:35:22 pmHere's another loop pedal one. I personally like the shalom one, different from the usual stuff you hear.<a href="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=1369009&server=vimeo.com&fullscreen=1&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=01AAEA" target="_blank">http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=1369009&server=vimeo.com&fullscreen=1&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=01AAEA</a>
it's definately not beatboxing in the truest form but an interesting take on it.
by 44ton Feb 13, 2009, 01:10:30 pmfootswitch !!!!!,damn thats a first for me,suppose it does take it in a different direction which is all good,must admit prefer shy s fx,etc
by Jared Feb 13, 2009, 04:31:23 pmI might be showing my (lack of) DnB knowlege here, but is Shy FX actually a beatboxer? Because I just thought he was a producer and general DnB musician. Definitely heard some of his tracks back in the day and must have seen him live too, but can't remember any beatboxing.
Petebox rocks as far as i'm concerned. Been to see him several times and always loved it. Also met him in real life quite a few times and he's always been a nice lad. Maybe you just caught him on a bad day musicman? Or he didn't like you...
by theonelikethe Feb 13, 2009, 09:57:36 pmfaith sfx = beatboxer
shy fx = dnb
the way to tell them apart is: beatboxing is shit. dnb isn't.
by R O B Feb 14, 2009, 08:44:55 amBearboxing is quite a skill and it's pretty subjective to just dismiss it - but each to their own. I saw a beatboxer beat through a harmonica once - fookin ace!! Couldn't believe how much was going on.
As for pete - he's a nice lad and always been friendly when I've met him. Bumped into him at bestival last year too and had a good random drunken chat. The looping stuff is just a musical experimentation as I imagine it gets pretty boring keeping it traditional. Why not push the genre?? I don't understand why if you dislike bearboxing so much you are such purists??
I'll never tire of hearing pete doing the 'round the twist' and 'not in Nottingham' themes!!
by TheAllSeeingPie Feb 14, 2009, 04:25:53 pmBearboxing is quite a skill and it's pretty subjective to just dismiss it.
I agree, anyone who can go 12 rounds in a boxing ring with a grizzly deserves some kind of recognition. Beatboxing however, you can take it or leave it. It's alright, but I'm not totally convinced by some of it.
by Mahatma Feb 14, 2009, 08:28:11 pmhahahaha. You bear me to it.
Just saw Pete recently wrecking a gig for an amazed Notts crowd. The man is legendary in the true sense of the word.
If we're casting interpretations of people's personalities simply from their stage performance I'd have to say 'my opinion' was that he was extremely humble and his skills of both beatboxing and putting on a great show are almost unrivalled.
by Mr Garvey Feb 14, 2009, 11:38:47 pm
Hes not enhancing anything though is he? its just his sounds put into a sampler. I think Pete is ace hes from nottingham.
by Yassa Feb 15, 2009, 10:55:25 amI've met/worked with Pete and he is a top bloke! Great talent not to be dissed!!
Just a few of my faves:
http://www.youtube.com/intheredzone
and just for a laugh!..
by R O B Feb 15, 2009, 11:03:16 amyeah yeah!!
Perhaps the strongest argument for the legitimacy of beatboxing is the fact that my auto spellchecker swaps beatboxing for bearboxing!
Maybe pit a bearboxer against a beatboxer at the next gig??
by windows78 Feb 15, 2009, 01:59:54 pmPete is a good guy and very talented imo!!
Here's some beatbox things coming up in Notts for the heads who like it >>
Saturday 16 May -- Shlomo and The Vocal Orchestra @ The Playhouse
Shlomo and The Vocal Orchestra present a phenomenal blend of live music all performed using only the voice boxes of 8 incredible musicians. Combining spine-tingling vocal harmonies with the heavier, almost inhuman, bass sounds of world class beatboxers and singers. They are the world's first and only Human Beatbox Choir.
For more details and videos visit:
www.shlo.co.uk/projects/vocalorchestra
http://www.nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk/index.cfm/page/events.details.cfm/navid/3/parentid/39/id/504
------------------
Friday 5th June @ The Rescue Rooms
UK Beatbox Championships (midlands heat) + Taskforce (live)
by TheAllSeeingPie Mar 07, 2009, 02:12:37 amJust found this on Youtube:<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/c6SHsF1n9Qw&rel=0" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/c6SHsF1n9Qw&rel=0</a>
It's nice to see hip-hop and the classics combined again. I'm guessing it was partly inspired by Coldcut who also used a sample from Peter and the Wolf in their song "More beats and peices" a while ago.
