Artist:	DJ Trainwreck
Song:	Track 1
Album:	The Worst Mix Tape Ever
Year:	1999

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Sandeep | MEMORY FROM 1999

The Worst Mixtape Ever

LOCATION: KTRU , Houston, TX

YEAR: 1999

TAGS: mixtapes, moving, djing, college radio, cancer, techno, mkultra, ktru, breaking up, trainwreck

PUBLISHED: May 5, 2008

Back when I lived in Houston I had a radio show on the local college station (KTRU). The show was called "MKUltra". It was on Friday nights, and I played mostly electronic music. I had a lot of guest djs for the show in those days... local talent like Andrei Morant, Abiel, Chris Anderson & Tim Xavier would often drop by.

Listeners and local scenesters would sometimes mail me their mixes, and sometimes I'd air them. If I really liked it, I would have them come in and do a live set.

In the summer of '99 I got a mix in my mailbox at the radio station. It came recorded on a dubbed over dictasette, and was enclosed with a short note (see below). This is one of the worst mixtapes I have ever heard. It is so horrifically bad that I listened to it non-stop that summer.

1999 was a rough year for me. My mom was fighting cancer. My girlfriend had just broken up with me. I hated my job. And I was depressed. But that summer, this mixtape took my mind off all that crap. And it made me think: no matter how bad things got, it couldn't get any worse than this mix.

They say a good dj is supposed to make you feel things you haven't felt before. To play music you haven't heard before. And to hopefully play music in a context that is new. Unexpected. Fresh.

If so, then this may be one of the best mixes I know of. Each time I listen to it I hear things I've never heard before. And I feel things I normally don't feel when I listen to music. Irritation, disgust, mild pain. Occasionally hope (when some mixes appear almost over). Anger (when they come back).

But mostly, this tape clears my mind of all life's daily clutter. When I'm feeling a little down, I pop this in and jam out. So mad props to you dj Trainwreck. Unfortunately, I never did get you on the show. I moved away from Houston before that could happen. But thanks for the tape. And know that it was definitely heard.

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pictures:

Dave doing a dj Trainwreck impersonation

DJ Trainwreck letter

Angi & Dennis doing Trainwreck dance

Me & Dave doing the Trainwreck dance

DJ Trainwreck tape & envelope

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COMMENTS (11)

RHMF said: I heart dj Trainwreck...and your post. Very funny and very true. (5/5/2008)

xyzprincess said: haha. KTRU DJ? that's so awesome. (5/14/2008)

carinne said: "no matter how bad things got, it couldn't get any worse than this mix." Love it. Hey, sometimes that happens, and it's beautiful. (5/26/2008)

phoenixstarr said: There was a thread on djforums.com that linked to this; its how I found Jamsbio. The forum was very divided over it. Half thought it was awful and the other half loved it. I was one of the people who loved it. I think its brilliant and would appeal to fans of IDM music. THe placement of the songs and construction of the set is amazing. Its not a traditional mix but thats what grabs people about it. (5/31/2008)