In the run up to one of Reading's biggest underground dance music events, our very own Phill 3-Parts DJ caught up with headine act and masters of the broken bassline - The Breakfastaz for an exclusive interview!

Phill Thump (PT): Firstly thanks for taking the time out to answer some of our questions. What influences brought you together in the early days and at what point did you decide to start pushing what would now be described as the ‘Breakfastaz sound’?

The Breakfastaz (TB): Being three people, I guess we all had varying influences but we did all share a passion for DNB and garage before we got into breakbeat. The Breakfastaz sound just evolved naturally and exemplified the kind of breakbeat that floated our boat.

PT: You’ve produced some awesome remixes over the years, a personal highlight for me being your remix of Mutiny – Most, how do you approach remixing a tune such as this?

TB: We've taken different approaches to remixes over the years. With some we've incorporated a lot of the original parts and with others hardly used any at all. We try not to over-think remixes. Once we have the parts we often have a good idea early on of where we want to go with the mix.

PT: The Breaks scene has seen a lot of growth in the last couple of years and is now beginning to enjoy more mainstream recognition in the UK, how do you see the scene as it stands at the moment and where would you like to see it going?

TB: Breakbeat seems reasonably healthy at the moment although it could do with a few more anthems like 'Fasten Your Seatbelts'. Tunes like that attract people who wouldn't normally listen to breakbeat and give them a reason to get into the scene. We recently toured with Pendulum and although the crowd weren't an obvious breaks crowd certain tracks really worked and hopefully got them checking out some breakbeat afterwards.

PT: You’ve collaborated a number of times with the vocalist Ivory, always with devastating results. Do you think it’s important to keep building these artistic bridges within the scene and can we look forward to any future collaborations?

TB: Collabs are always good as working with different people brings different flavours to the table. We havn't any new collaborations planned at the moment but you never know, watch this space!

PT: Your recent release of Sickness/The Cheech seems to have gone down very well with DJs, punters and press alike, how is the forthcoming album shaping up and can you tell us when we’re likely to be able to pick it up in the shops?

TB: Our next step is getting a new single out so that's our main focus at the moment. That should be wrapped up pretty soon so out in the shop in 2-3 months.

PT: As the battle of CD versus Vinyl versus MP3 rages on, where do you stand on incorporating different mediums into your sets?

TB: We only use CD's these days. It's great to be able to write a new track or a special edit/intro and just burn it to CD and play it that night. Also being three people we have occasions where all three of us are playing in different venues on the same night. Burning off another set of CD's is a lot easier than having three copies of each vinyl!

PT: More and more artists are beginning to see the light in terms of advertising and selling music digitally. Why do you think the likes of MySpace and Beatport are so important?

TB: This is increasingly the digital age in all genres of music so obviously it is important to acknowledge that. The internet has also been very beneficial for dance music such as breakbeat as it's made it much easier to spread the music to a worldwide audience. Accordingly it is increasing important to take advantage of what the internet can offer in terms of advertising, promo and sales.

PT: What advice would you give to prospective DJs/Producers/Promoters who are trying to get started and bring Breaks to their area?

TB:Don't give up! Often breakbeat nights take a while to get going as the general public are less aware of breaks then they are house or trance. A wise man once said 'if you book them then they will come'.

PT: Finally, what does 2008 hold for the Breakfastaz?

TB: Hopefully some great gigs, some new releases and whatever else comes our way!

PT: Thanks for your time...

You'll be able to check out The Breakfastaz alongside Paradox 3000, DJ Ollywood and three rooms of Breaks, Drum & Bass, Hip-Hop and Dubstep residents on Saturday 29th March 2008 at Plug'n'Play Studios in Reading!