When freakish talent is mixed with fate, there’s no telling what can happen. Dishing up breathtaking DJ sets over 6 dex, touring the world and producing the duuuurtiest damn house music your ears have ever heard, the Potbelleez have a sixth sense for what makes the dancefloor swoon.
Many would say it was destiny. Dave Goode and Jonny Sonic – both Irishmen looking for a new start in the Antipodes – left their homeland in 2001/2 respectively. Jonny left to escape the restraints of Dublin, whilst Dave responded to the call from dance luminary Pete Tong who proclaimed that the Australian dance scene was “going off”. Both we’re looking to make things happen for themselves, but could never have predicted the impact they’d have.
Perhaps it was etched in stone from an early age. A tradition amongst Irish households, both youngsters were immersed in music throughout their childhood. Jonny embraced everything from hip hop, house, funk and rock from an early age, revelling in the talents of Michael Jackson, NWA and Chaka Khan. Whilst Dave fell under the spell of music as a 13 year old, when his brother gave him a mixtape of hardcore legend DJ Slipmatt – it was then the lad knew he was destined to devote his life to music. A die-hard buff of all things drum ‘n’ bass and breakbeat hardcore throughout the 90s, Dave eventually grew tired of the rough stuff and fell in love with the feel-good vibe of house music.
Fast forward to the early naughties to Sydney’s Darling Harbour; a packed house of revellers climbing the walls in a rapturous frenzy; people hanging off the stairs; the dancefloor moving with intoxicated pleasure. The pair had only met a few days prior, but had instantaneously found their groove when Dave invited Jonny to drop a few tunes with him on that auspicious night. The Potbelleez were born, even if they didn’t know it yet.
Now two peas in a dance music pod, Dave and Jonny wasted little time in establishing their name throughout Sydney’s house scene. Tackling the difficult task of event promotion with the same gusto they throw at their electrifying DJ sets, the pair ran the infamous ‘Beats on and off Shore’ boat and beach parties from 2002 to 2004, with the debaucherous shindigs seeing hundreds of revellers entranced by The Potbelleez’s magic.
With their momentum showing no signs of slowing down, 2004 was a pivotal year for The Potbelleez. As well as playing their debut gig at Sydney’s massive superclub, Home, and dishing up the sonic filth at the Queensland’s Magnetic Island Full Moon Party alongside Endorphin, house kings Groove Armada hit town and forever changed things for the talented duo. With Dave and Jonny’s ‘Beats…’ parties becoming the thing of legends, the Potbelleez pair was contacted to host GA’s launch party for their new imprint Ragbull Records. In just 4 days the pair utilised their strong army of supporters to sell an astonishing 678 tickets to the gig and rip it up alongside Tom and Andy in a legendary event that’s still talked about to this day. Using the proceeds to set up a production studio, The Potbelleez fate was sealed.
The pair’s Djing schedule immediately began to swell, with their selection to tour the globe as part of the ‘Jim Beam Mix it up Tour’ in 2005. Throughout the course of the 4 month tour, the duo got down ‘n’ dirty in Shanghai, dished up sonic mischief in London, blew the roof off in Romania and got butts wiggling in Limerick (Ireland) and Moscow. Gigs at England’s behemoth Global Gathering Festival (alongside Sasha & Digweed) and Godskitchen also followed.
Early remixing work quickly dropped in the pairs lap, dishing up blazin’ re-rubs of Endorphin’s and Love Tattoo before completing their self-titled debut EP featuring the dancefloor destroying ‘Junkyard’ and ‘Duuurty Dreemz’. The tracks became the unofficial soundtrack to Channel 10’s ‘Big Brother up late’ show, as well as featuring on TV shows such as Crunch, Ralph Swimwear Model, Miss Indy Car and Australia’s Top Model. Having also made a massive impact with local club DJs, both tracks appearing in the ARIA club charts, with ‘Junkyard’ in particular soaring up to no.2. With their white-hot form showing no signs of slowing down, they were an obvious choice for local kingpin label Vicious, with the pair’s ‘The Junkyard’ EP due for release on April 28th 2007.
A force to be reckoned with in both the Djing and production world’s, the pair’s breathtaking skills over four CDJs, two Technics, two mixers and two FX units have seen them grow a legion of fans, resulting in a no.48 placing on Inthemix’s 2006 Top 50 list. Currently the pair regularly rip the roof off OneLove in Melbourne and Adelaide, Brisbane’s Family and played a massive sellout gig at this year’s Good Vibrations festival in Sydney.
The pair continue to excel at promoting too, with their Moulin Nights gig at Kings Cross’ Moulin Rouge packing out week after week, as the longest running underground club in Sydney’s duuurty red light district.
Do you believe in fate? The Potbelleez certainly do. From being a couple of Irish tourists landing in Sydney with not much more than a record bag to their name, Dave and Jonny are quickly becoming the hottest up and coming property in Australian dance music. If recent form is anything to go by, one senses it won’t be long before the pair takes their next momentous step.
THE POTBELLEEZ are managed by PHAT PLANET MUSIC MEDIA
Contact: myles@phatpla.net
www.myspace.com/thepotbelleez
PBZ HQ
SHAKE IT
The Potbelleez Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Shake my body, can't fake it
It's the real me
So take, if you like what you see
Baby, don't you want me to shake it
Shake my body, can't fake it
It's the real me
Pretty thing I can drive you hard
You're just the thing that can suit my style
So boogie next to me for a little awhile
On the dance floor, sure to blow you with a smile
Baby, how did you get so fine
At the end of the night, gonna make you mine
I'm pickin up your moves like a pick up line
See non-stop the clock, you're running out of time
Baby, don't you want me to shake it
Shake my body, can't fake it
It's the real me
So take, if you like what you see
Baby, don't you want me to shake it
Shake my body, can't fake it
It's the real me
So take, if you like what you see
Pretty thing, let's say you're it
I'd like to find out what makes you tick
God's sticking around, don't give me the flick
Cuz i got the feeling we're gonna click
Baby, let it all hang out
Move your body, makes me scream and shout
No doubt you'll teach me what love is about
With a bottle long load (????)
Step it up baby make your move
Rip it up, show me how you get that groove
Give it up baby because you have to prove
You'd give it up never if you had to choose
Gonna get you on the floor, gonna make you sweat
Never seen (?) before baby you can bet
I wanna tame you, train you, like a pet
Let me sustain you, you won't regret it
Baby, don't you want me to shake it
Shake my body, can't fake it
It's the real me
So take, if you like what you see
Baby, don't you want me to shake it
Shake my body, can't fake it
It's the real me
So take, if you like what you see
Baby, to shake it
Can't fake it
So take, if you like what you see
Baby, don't you want me to shake it
Shake my body, can't fake it
It's the real me
So take, if you like what you see
And when the sun comes up
I'll give you everything you need
Forever, whatever
You got what it takes to believe
Baby, don't you want me to shake it
Shake my body, can't fake it
It's the real me
So take, if you like what you see
Baby, don't you want me to shake it
Shake my body, can't fake it
It's the real me
So take, if you like what you see
Baby, don't you want me to shake it
Shake my body, can't fake it
It's the real me
So take, if you like what you see
Baby, don't you want me to shake it
Shake my body, can't fake it
It's the real me
So take, if you like what you see
The lyrics to The Potbelleez's song Shake It are all about getting down and dancing. The singer of the song is encouraging their partner to let loose and move their body without any inhibitions, emphasizing that it's the real them they want to see shake it, not some manufactured persona. The lyrics also suggest that there's a sexual element to this dance, with the singer making suggestive comments about wanting to make their partner theirs by the end of the night. However, ultimately the song is all about having fun and enjoying the moment, with the repeated refrain of "shake it" serving as a call to action for everyone to get up and move their bodies.
Line by Line Meaning
Baby, don't you want me to shake it
The singer is inviting their romantic interest to admire their moves on the dance floor.
Shake my body, can't fake it
The singer is confident in their dancing abilities and wishes to show off their true self to their romantic interest.
It's the real me
The singer is emphasizing the authenticity of their moves and personality, hoping to appeal to their romantic interest.
So take, if you like what you see
The artist is inviting their romantic interest to take a chance on them and pursue a relationship if they are attracted to what they see.
Pretty thing I can drive you hard
The artist is expressing their attraction to their romantic interest and their desire to impress them with their dancing skills.
You're just the thing that can suit my style
The singer finds their romantic interest to be a perfect match for their lifestyle and personality.
So boogie next to me for a little awhile
The singer is requesting their romantic interest to dance with them for a little while to enjoy their company on the dance floor.
On the dance floor, sure to blow you with a smile
The artist is confident that their dance moves can impress their romantic interest and make them smile.
Baby, how did you get so fine
The artist expresses their admiration for their romantic interest's physical appearance.
At the end of the night, gonna make you mine
The artist is confident that they will be able to win over their romantic interest by the end of the night.
I'm pickin up your moves like a pick up line
The singer is paying close attention to their romantic interest's dance moves, viewing it as a way to pick them up and impress them.
See non-stop the clock, you're running out of time
The artist is aware that there is limited time left to make their move and win over their romantic interest.
Pretty thing, let's say you're it
The singer is acknowledging their romantic interest as their desired partner.
I'd like to find out what makes you tick
The singer is showing interest in learning more about their romantic interest and finding out what they are passionate about.
God's sticking around, don't give me the flick
The singer feels lucky to be in the presence of their romantic interest and hopes that they won't be rejected.
Cuz i got the feeling we're gonna click
The artist is hopeful that they and their romantic interest will form a connection and share a special moment together.
Baby, let it all hang out
The artist is encouraging their romantic interest to let loose and dance freely without any inhibitions.
Move your body, makes me scream and shout
The singer finds their romantic interest's dance moves to be exciting and arousing, making them feel ecstatic.
No doubt you'll teach me what love is about
The singer hopes that their romantic interest can show them the true meaning and experience of love.
With a bottle long load (????)
This line is unclear and cannot be accurately interpreted.
Step it up baby make your move
The artist is urging their romantic interest to take action and make a move on them.
Rip it up, show me how you get that groove
The artist is asking their romantic interest to dance with passion and enthusiasm, showing off their best moves.
Give it up baby because you have to prove
The singer wants their romantic interest to show their commitment and interest by pursuing a relationship with them.
You'd give it up never if you had to choose
The artist believes that their romantic interest would never give up on them and would choose them over anyone else.
Gonna get you on the floor, gonna make you sweat
The singer is confident that they can entice their romantic interest to dance with them and make them perspire.
Never seen (?) before baby you can bet
The singer believes that their dance moves are unique and original, guaranteeing their romantic interest a fun and memorable experience.
I wanna tame you, train you, like a pet
The singer desires to take control of their romantic interest and mold them to their liking, like a pet that is trained to obey their owner.
Let me sustain you, you won't regret it
The artist hopes to nurture their romantic interest and make them happy, believing that they will not regret being with them.
And when the sun comes up
The artist is referring to the end of the night and the dawn of a new day.
I'll give you everything you need
The singer promises to provide their romantic interest with everything they desire and require from a romantic partner.
Forever, whatever
The singer is ready to commit to a long-term relationship with their romantic interest and provide them with whatever they need.
You got what it takes to believe
The artist believes that their romantic interest has the necessary qualities and traits to believe in their relationship and make it last.
Contributed by Claire T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Jamie Willis
First comment on a vid from 7 years ago, how crazy