The Breaks: The unknown and limited-press break records of DJ Romes

Interview with Break-Beat Archaeologist Lungston Hughes

• Lungston Hughes
• May 01, 2002

DJ Romes has a large collection of break beats, rare ones, imports, bootlegs, and a couple of his own that were pressed in limited quantity. We hung out in Romes studio recently and took a look at some of his favorites.

Stones Throw: Wow, tell me about this kangaroo one.
DJ Romes: Beautiful cover, no?

Yea, was this released?
Australlian only. They said it wouldn't sell, so that's why I did it. 500 copies. It's a tribute to Beast Porn.

Whats up with the Dogs?
When you got a dog on a break beat cover, it's hot - that's the rule. These are all dope, dirty beats. Dirty like a dirty dog.

I've seen "Doggie With A Drivers License Breaks" around before.
Yea, it's a classic from 1997. Out of print now, but it started the whole dog thing for the east & west coast 'cuz the duck was getting too big already.

Yes, Ducks are also really big in hip hop breaks.
But more inconsistent, not all can be counted on. These two I picked up in Europe. "Half Duck Half Dog" is cool because of the Dog cover of course, but "Duck with an Uzi" is a crazy knock-off of Super Duck Breaks with gangsta-style beats. And it's from Italy. I don't think they even have ducks in Italy.

Stones Throw: "Lesbianas con Ropas"?
DJ Romes: Yea, this one I got when I was down at the Chiapas convention last year. You wouldn't think they have good breaks down there, but they do.

Hay muchas lesbianas en Méjico?
Sí. Ellos toda la ropa correspondiente.

You have three more of your own here. Did you put these out?
"Angry Dwarf" only got 60 test pressings made - it had a sample of Tattoo from Fantasy Island and they we're going to sue. That midget shot himself, did you know that?

Hey, he was nuts. He use to wander Sunset Strip barefoot with a gat in one hand and waving his middle finger with the other
The afro record here, I found that in London - it's a bootleg put out by some unethical British dude. Those people have no morals when it comes to records. It's actually a recording of a stand up comedy show I did out there in '98. "Lootpez" is from 1998 too, but that was my first record that I pressed in Oxnard. 500 copies of that one - I like it better when not everyone can get one.

"Wake Up in the Morning and Your Dick is Gone Breaks"?
Every man's worst nightmare, but the record is every DJ's greatest dream .. it's one of the best. The best! I got it in Atlantic City when I DJed at Donald Trump's daughter's birthday. And "Badger Breaks" is hot too - that trumpet player in Breakestra did the beats.

Oh, Paul the Badger!
People don't even know that kid is a producer.

Stones Throw: "Teenage Backstreet Boy Breaks" ... is that Peanut Butter Wolf?
DJ Romes: It's him - a picture from 1987, he tells me. But I knew right away it was a good break record because it says "Backstreet Boys," when it's actually one of those N'Sync people that he looks like. That's coded language for DJ's.

What's the label?
Jive Records, promo only. That's all the records I can show you today.

Thanks Romes.
You're welcome ... now please leave.