deadmau5 learned his sense of showmanship for his live sets by watching 70s rockers KISS.
Deadmau5
The producer wears a mouse shaped helmet when performing and is known for putting on one of the most spectacular visual shows in dance music – making him one of the most highly paid DJs in the world – and he claims the idea came from the 70s rock band.
He said: “The big turnaround for me was going to a Kiss concert. They’re terrible. They suck so bad. I hope they don’t read this. But their show is a f***ing show. They put a lot into making it entertaining. At one point, the guitarist pulls out a fricking bazooka and blows off a bit off the stage.
“How things have changed. I remember when [Nine Inch Nails frontman] Trent Reznor used to bring out a crappy old keyboard and smash it up, and everyone would say: ‘Oh wow, that was so cool, we were at the concert where Trent snapped and smashed up his keyboard!’
“Bull***t. He used to do that every night. I loved the theatrics. It’s about spectacle. That’s what I realised.”
deadmau5 – real name Joel Zimmerman – added that he’s become so used to playing in front of thousands of fans every night, high stakes gambling is the only thing that still gives him a rush.
He added to Shortlist magazine: “I play a nightclub and everyone’s freaking out: ‘I love you, deadmau5!’ I’m desensitised to it. If you wanna really get my heart rate going, gimme $100,000 credit in a casino, let me burn it down until I have $20 left and then I’m in a panic.”
