Skam: The Flavour of the Label Mix

Manchester's Skam Records have earned something of a cult status over the last 30 years. Helmed by Andy Maddocks, the label has become synonymous with names like Gescom, Jega and Shadow Huntaz and built a huge family of producers who've returned to release on the imprint time and time again.

In the latter half of the 90s they became one the first labels to sign Boards of Canada and go on to release two of their early EPs; Hi Scores in '96 and Aquarius in '98. More recent movements have seen Skam keep it local, including Afrodeutsche's celebrated debut in 2018 and a second 12" from North Manc Beds, while last month saw the release of They Can't Be Saved, a new album from James Ruskin & Mark Broom's Fear Ratio project.

Off the back of the release, Andy takes the reigns for today's mix to give us a taste of the label, past and present…

Please introduce yourself… Who are you, where are you and what are you?

Andy Maddocks –– Manchester, Europe – Member of the Skam Records family

What does your music sound like? Can you draw what you think it sounds like for us (an image from the old internet is acceptable)?

Where was the mix recorded?

Coffee table in living room

What would be the ideal setting to listen to the mix?

Living room with coffee table

What should we be wearing?

Whatever the hell you like

What would be your dream setting to record a mix: Location/system/format?

Large living room with bigger coffee table – warm location an S5 & a mac

Which track in the mix is your current favourite?

The Fear Ratio – The Invisible Girl (new album;)

What’s your favourite recorded mix of all time?

Chad Jackson – Mix of 85 (Probably nostalgia but I could sing /hum or beatbox the whole hour – without even listening to it:) Good link to this mix.

If you could go back to back with any DJ from throughout history, who would it be and why?

Dam – this is difficult… If it’s throughout history, Latin Rascals or Kurtis Mantronik would be dope

What was your first DJ set up at home and what is it now?

1984 aged 12 – Crappy tape 2 tape cassette deck / super dodgy turntables

2020 – 1210’s / Mixer / Cassette / CD / DAT / Mini Disc /// N.I. S5 & a MAC

What’s more important, the track you start on or the track you end on?

Equally important – life is balance

What were the first and last records you bought?

Oh Geez… Michael Jackson – Billie Jean or something by Adam & the Ants (Aged 10-ish)

James Ruskin – Weakness of the System

If this mix was an edible thing, what would it taste like?

A Battery (Solar Powered)

If it was an animal what would it be?

Undiscovered

One record in your collection that is impossible to mix into anything?

Gescom – Five – Ska002

Upcoming in the world of Skam…

New Fear Ratio album is out, an Afrodeutsche EP and new VHS Head album are around the corner…

Anything else we need to discuss?

Oh man… how long you got?

Hope you like the mangled mix… Love n peace to all crew x

Follow Skam Records. Buy They Can't Be Saved.