The Pocket Presents: Crash the Decks: Drummer vs DJ Battle

$15 Advance | $25 Day of Show

Doors 7 PM | Show 8 PM (All ages)

no refunds; a limited amount of tickets will be sold after doors open if availability permits - first come, first serve

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Crash the Decks stands as the world's premier and first-ever Drummer vs DJ Battle League. CTD combines DJs with live drummers to deliver an unforgettable competitive musical experience with the goal of finding the best Drummer vs DJ Duo in the world.

After battles in Pittsburgh, PA; New Haven, CT; Hartford, CT; and Fargo, ND, we are preparing to debut this battle in Washington, D.C. in preparation for the Crash the Decks National Tournament in 2025. Bring your cheering squad, DJ enthusiasts, and drum aficionados to experience your new favorite event!

Witness the collision of the most exceptional DJs and extraordinary drummers in D.C., immersing yourself in a musical competition guaranteed to captivate, get you dancing, and leave you eagerly anticipating the next round. Brace yourself; you might just find yourself chanting "CRASH. THE. DECKS!" on the ride home.

Battling Teams:

Spuddy Drumst + Queen HD the DJ

Rafaelthedrummer + SpinrilloDJ Drums + DJ Hey ALFootz + Vance B

Judges:

DJ Bo

Jerome Baker III

Malik Dope

DJ DeTroyt

Hosted by Talk2Trey

Curated by Kerim Tha DJ, Washington D.C.’s Crash the Decks Ambassador

What is Drummer vs DJ?

“Drummer vs DJ” is a niche performance style that fuses the excitement of a club DJ with the energy of a live drummer for a mind-blowing and one-of-a-kind experience.The "Drummer vs DJ" performance style has its roots in various musical genres, including hip-hop, rock, and electronic dance music (EDM). The concept of live drumming and electronic music production coming together in performance is not new, but it gained widespread popularity in the mid-2000s with the emergence of a few key performers.

One of the earliest and most influential "Drummer vs DJ" pairs was DJ AM (Adam Goldstein) and Travis Barker of Blink-182, known together as TRV$DJAM. The two began performing together in the early 2000s, blending hip-hop beats, rock anthems, house, and other dance music genres with live drumming in a high-energy performance that quickly gained a following. They performed at clubs, award shows, and music festivals worldwide drawing thousands, and were known for their innovative mashups and remixes.

Another noteworthy "Drummer vs DJ" duo features DJ Jazzy Jeff and Questlove of The Roots. These two hip-hop DJs have been recognized for their collaborative performances in various event formats, showcasing their combined expertise in turntablism, drumming, and musical taste. If you've ever had the opportunity to witness these two live, consider yourself treated.In addition to these pairs, there have been many other musicians and performers who have embraced the "Drummer vs DJ" concept, often in one-off duos that play sold-out shows at local clubs and events. This performance style ain’t new but our battle league is!

History of Crash the Decks

In March 2016, farESH Brand and Loyal Order co-hosted the inaugural Drummer vs DJ showcase at Spirit Lodge in Pittsburgh, PA. This event marked the first time in Spirit's early history that it reached full capacity on a Sunday. Over the subsequent two years, farESH Brand organized this event 12 more times in Pittsburgh, transforming it into a battle and expanding Drummer vs DJ into a year-long tournament across four dates in 2018. DJ ADMC and Dylan Wood successfully defended their champion title (4x) and emerged as the winners of the first-ever Drummer vs DJ Tournament held at Spirit Hall. Taking a hiatus in 2019, they aimed to regroup and revamp, gearing up for a 2020 return that was unfortunately halted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Between 2018 and 2023, farESH Brand ceased operations, leading to the closure of its online shop. Co-founder Ryan "RB" Brown established Make Sure You Have Fun™ in 2017, which absorbed the event concept, underwent a rebranding, and repackaged it. As the concept evolved into its own entity, it warranted a name beyond the familiar "Drummer vs DJ" title, adopting the name "Crash the Decks.”

In May 2023, Make Sure You Have Fun™ hosted Crash the Decks: Drummer vs DJ Battle Exhibitions in Pittsburgh, PA; Fargo, ND; and New Haven, CT, under its new name.

In 2024, our quest persists as we broaden our search for the world's best Drummer vs DJ duo, reaching Hartford, CT and Washington, D.C. laying the groundwork for the first-ever CTD National Tournament in 2025.

Join us at Crash the Decks to experience an event you have missed dearly or a brand-new event that will leave you awestruck and convert you into a Crash the Decks enthusiast.

Host or Publisher The Pocket at 7DrumCity