Tucson’s favorite DJ (as evidenced by his win as Best DJ in the 2008
Tucson Area Music Awards, aka TAMMIES) has been spinning since 1994,
and is known for his eclectic music choices and seamless mixes. He
currently rules the booth every Saturday at Club Congress’ popular
indie/electro dance party, Bang! Bang! McCoy is pursuing additional
creative ventures with the opening of his own graphic-design studio,
Squarenoise.
What was the first concert you ever saw?
My dad took me to a Johnny Cash show in the early/mid-’80s. It’s
still the most heartfelt performance I’ve ever seen.
What CDs are in your changer right now?
Yeah Yeah Yeahs, It’s Blitz!; The Horrors, Primary
Colours; Tiga, Ciao!; The Juan MacLean, The Future Will
Come; and an iPod shuffling through hundreds of DJ-gig tracks.
How many total albums do you own(CDs, vinyl, cassettes,
8-tracks)?
More than 500 CDs, close to 2,500 records scattered throughout the
house (and) more than 100 cassettes (mostly DJ mix tapes). I’m pretty
sure my Cheech and Chong 8-track is still chilling with my parents’
collection.
Do you download music, and if so, legally or illegally?
I Soulseek or blog-download, mostly for unavailable or unreleased
stuff, and buy CD or vinyl versions of stuff I really like.
What was the first album you owned?
I have a lot of rock and country hand-me-downs from my dad, but the
first album I remember being all mine was the Ghost Busters soundtrack.
What song would you like to have played at your funeral?
Tiga, “Love Don’t Dance Here Anymore,” played on a turntable while
the casket is lowered, then an afterparty hosted by my close DJ
buddies.
Musically speaking, what do you love that your friends don’t know
about? What’s your favorite guilty pleasure?
DJ-ing to diverse audiences gives me a broad range, so I get it all
out of my system. No secrets.
What band or artist changed your life, and how?
Joseph Valentino, aka Neglect, aka DJ Polar. He’s the first person
who really supported me to do the DJ thing.
Figurative gun to your head, whatis your favorite album of all
time?
Beastie Boys, Paul’s Boutique.
This article appears in Apr 30 – May 6, 2009.