Releases by Mixer / D.J.
INVISIBL SKRATCH PIKLZ
(D.J. APOLLO, D.J. DISK, D.J. Q-BERT, D-STYLES, MIX MASTER MIKE & SHORTKUT)
| Year | Release Title | Label | Mix Title | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | Return Of The D.J. | Bomb Hip-Hop | INVASION OF THE OCTOPUS PEOPLE | 00:04:57 |
| 1996 | I.S.P. Vs Duh Klamz Uv Deth | Asphodel | INVISIBL SKRATCH PIKLZ VS DUH KLAMZ UV DETH | 00:14:04 |
Information:
According to an interview with D.J. Disk that can be viewed here, the Invisibl Skratch Piklz were formed in 1994 by D.J. Disk, D.J. Q-Bert and Mix Master Mike. They then brought Shortkut on board to complete the band.
Below is a summarised biography created using Google Gemini in April 2026...
The Invisibl Skratch Piklz (ISP) are widely regarded as the most influential turntablist collective in history. Emerging from the San Francisco Bay Area in the early 1990s, they transitioned the DJ from a background party-starter into a legitimate avant-garde musician.
Core Members: Q-Bert, Shortkut, Mix Master Mike, D-Styles, Yoga Frog and Apollo.
Legacy: Pioneered the "DJ Band" concept, where each member functions as an instrument (drums, bass, lead).
The Evolution of the "Band"
Before ISP, DJs mostly performed solo or as part of a rap group. ISP changed the DNA of the craft by treating the turntable as a melodic instrument. They utilized complex techniques like "crab scratches" and "flares" to create intricate compositions that sounded more like jazz fusion than traditional hip-hop.
Key Milestones
The "Turntablist" Identity: They were instrumental in popularizing the term Turntablist to distinguish those who used the record player to create new music from "Disc Jockeys" who simply played records.
The Vestax PMC-05 Pro: The group collaborated with manufacturers to design gear specifically for scratching, leading to the creation of the industry-standard "scratch mixer."
Musical Style & Innovation
The Piklz didn't just scratch over beats; they manufactured the beats themselves using "battle records"—vinyl specifically pressed with test tones, percussion hits, and vocal snippets.
"We wanted to prove that you could have a drummer, a bassist, and a lead guitarist, but all of them were playing Technics 1200s." — General consensus among members.
Legacy and Influence
The Blueprint: Their 1990s demo tapes and the film Scratch (2001) inspired a global generation of DJs.
Tech Development: Members like Qbert went on to develop the "Thud Rumble" brand, continuing to innovate DJ hardware and software.
The 2016 Return: After a long hiatus, the group released The 13th Floor, their first full-length studio album, proving that the art of the scratch was still evolving decades later.