International electronica star Bad Boy Bill drops in on Club Octane.

Big Bad DJ: <b>Full Bill:</b> Bad Boy Bill is famous for drawing from dozens of CDs to create unique arrangements.

International electronica star Bad Boy Bill drops in on Club Octane.

Thursday, March 10, 2005

House DJ Bad Boy Bill has come a long way from listening to DJ mixes on Chicago radio station WBMX at the age of 13. With impressive credentials—like being named 2003’s number one DJ by BPM Magazine—the Chicago native is one of the world’s most sought after DJs.

During a flight from New York to Los Angeles, Bill answered questions from the Weekly via e-mail. The previous evening, he was performing at the New York City nightclub Avalon.

Bill first rose to prominence by winning the 1988 Midwest division of DMC’s Battle DJ competition. Bill says that he continued on into the finals until losing to DJ Cash Money.

Bill then secured a DJ residency spot at the German dance club Docklands. While performing at Docklands, Bill started to realize a difference between European electronic music audiences and their American counterparts. “The [European] people are just exposed to electronic music more and more knowledgeable about the entire scene,”he says.

While playing shows around the world, Bill became also known for producing mix tapes that sampled an immense amount of records. Bill says that on releases like his Bangin’ the Box Mix CDs he would draw from 45 to 50 records to produce 60 minutes of music.

In addition to being known for his DJ skills, Lotus Magazine has noted that Bill is the “Wilt Chamberlain of techno” for his way with the fairer sex. Bill counters that the statement is an exaggeration. “I wish,” he says. “We were both born on Aug. 21; similarities just about end there. I love women, but that guy was out of control.”