Coming this weekend to a Foodland near you: Kutmaster Spaz and his "Wheels of Steel Tour II." Spaz’s new tour aims
to help the hungryBy John Berger
jberger@starbulletin.comSpaz's goals last year were setting the Guinness Book of World Records record for nonstop, drug-free music mixing on a pair of turntables -- that basic club equipment known to more than 20 years of dance music fans as "the ones-and-twos" or "the wheels of steel" -- and promoting the release of his "Spin City" compilation album.
He was also hoping to help out the Hawaii Foodbank.
By the time he'd finished crisscrossing Oahu, Spaz had received 4 1/2 tons of canned food.
"Spin City" was this year's winner in the "Hip Hop" category at Johnny Kai's Hawaii Music Awards, and Spaz's goal this time out is to come up with more than 4 1/2 tons of food for those who need it.
"I feel very blessed in my life, and so I want to give back to the community," he said recently.
Nonstop mixing is his way of doing it.
For his work to qualify as "nonstop music mixing," Spaz may mix music from various sources including compact discs but can't play a pre-mixed CD or record and play back any of his own mixes in advance. Long individual songs are permissible, and he'll probably save a few lengthy classics like "Rapper's Delight" to cover for bathroom breaks.
Organizing a second "Wheels of Steel" tour is another goal achieved for the 31-year-old who overcame dyslexia and survived a hard-knock life by developing a positive attitude after years of harassment by kids who called him "retarded" and "spastic."
The "Spin City" compilation grew out of his success as a club deejay. He'd wanted to help Hawaii's rappers and mixers reach a larger audience. Big Teaze (of Hi-Town DJs fame), the Phenomenal Chilly Chill, B.E.T. and Solana were among the artists who participated.
"I love the local island music -- it's part of my heritage and culture and growing up -- but there are a lot of talented kids that sing R&B/hip-hop, too," Spaz said.
Here are the locations and times for "Wheels of Steel, Part II":
Tomorrow
>> 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. -- Kailua Foodland
>> 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. -- Hawaii Kai Foodland
>> 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. -- Beretania Foodland
>> 4 to 6 p.m. -- Stadium Sack & Save
>> 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. -- Ewa Beach Foodland
Sunday
>> 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. -- Kaneohe Foodland
>> 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. -- Dillingham Foodland
>> 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. -- Wahiawa Foodland
>> 4 to 6 p.m. -- Mililani Foodland
>> 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. -- Waipio Foodland