Aussie Scene

[Danis Kool]

Im thinking should this be on a separate thread?

Australia

hmmm, where can i start?

Anyways, this what i have gathered about the Aust scene... may not be 100% correct though, but its based on stories i was told by the old skoolers and my own conclusions.

Back in the days (during the global "Breakdance" phenomenon), there wasnt the luxury of the internet... so the scene was based heavily on music videos and movies (Beat Street, Wild Style, Breaking etc) that they saw. So therefore they didnt really had any "foundations".

In a crew everyone could Break, Pop and Lock. They used to battle all three styles in a battle. lol they would also try to dress like the people in the movies. There would be battles everywhere in clubs, halls, where crews are performing... basically the scene back then was much active/lively compared to today.

Rock Steady Crew came down at one stage and battled with one of my crew mates' father's crew (the Dynamic Floor Masters) on a tv show... i heard DFM smoked RSC haha!

There are only a small handful of Old Skoolers that are still partly 'active' in the scene. One old skooler in particular, in his 50s is still teaching classes today. Oh originally his from the US.
http://www.darriostreet.com/gallery.html

Like the rest of the "breakdance" scene in the world... it faded out.

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Around 1998-2000 there was another "Breakdance" trend that hit Aust, proli inspired by RUN DMC - Its Like That, Bombfunk MC - Freestyler. And the internet in Aust really kicked off around that time too. As usual 90% will give up after the trend dies.

But the scene still managed to pick up to what it is today. Sydney and Melbourne are proli the best place for Popping and Locking in Aust (numbers and standard wise). The scene in Adelaide, Brisbane and Perth picking up right now. A very good sign indeed! Not too sure about Darwin and Hobart (so if your from there give us a holla!).

The funk scene is still overshadowed by the BBoy scene.

A comp every 5-6 months. Not many sessions (yet).

There are heaps of up and coming dudes atm, whether they will become dope (in Aust) is another story. What i dont like about a lot of people taking classes, is that they rely TOO much on their classes and not experimenting/innovating by themselves. I see a lot dudes that are clearly learnt everything the class has to offer but still taking it for some reason... just watch and learn!

There have been 5 big International dudes that came down to Aust (but not necessary teach). From the US, Sugar Pop (during 2002 for RSC anniversary, but the scene was still very young skill wise) and Aqua Boogie (2006 for his show Break!).

From Asia, Poppin Sam (2006), Lion (for a short holiday in 2005) and Hiro Sakuma (2004,2006 for a few projects). Next week, two of the UMIN dudes will be here in Aust to judge an event WOOT!!

Only a small handful of people have the luxury ($$) to go overseas and see/learn off international dudes. So not many people will have 'proper' foundations (me included).

So far the scene looks very good, hopefully the scene continues to grow and improve... maybe in a few years Australian Poppers will be repping in Summit, FSS etc! hahaha

As for me, im like self taught, created own concepts based from exp (that im happy to pass around ), watch videos, bite (then change it lol), crits and tips from other ppl (esp from a crew member).

Heres a vid from an event 3 months ago... pretty much all the main dudes competed there... btw im the one with the sunnies on the 2nd clip, enjoy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luX33Sp9xtg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78n8CP1JrXw


Oh as you proli have guessed, the main style in Australia right now is BOOGALOO! But soon this will be changed!

[dqfrshfool]

i dig u danis Adelaides commin up slowly!!! we will come up go and compete but not ready yet still learnin and trainin hard!! but we will!!

[LOBO]

Thanks danis , that was hella interesting I've always wondered how the Aus. scene came to be. Seem's like you guy's kinda just winged it in terms of poppin - have any OG's taught there yet?

[waveomatic]

cheers, mate!