Gunmetal Justice – Would You Like A Sample?
A 15-year-old demo that refuses to die, starring one very committed DJ and a whole lot of “what the hell is happening right now?”
Back in the golden era when I was DJ Mudd Butt (two D’s, because I’m heavy on the D), I was out there living the dream: spinning after-parties, club nights, tour support slots, and—yes—holding down a rock ’n’ roll residency at a notorious Denver sports bar during UFC fight nights. The beer flowed like wine, the crowd roared like they’d just seen a flying elbow, and somewhere in the middle of all that beautiful chaos I did the responsible thing… I recorded a live demo. You know, because that’s what you’re supposed to do when you’re a serious professional who definitely cares about his burgeoning music career.
Thanks to the eternal, unblinking eye of the internet, this cherished relic still exists today—untouched, unpolished, and somehow still getting plays. People keep rediscovering it like they’ve stumbled onto a cursed mixtape from 2009 that refuses to stay buried. And honestly? I don’t care. This wasn’t some grand artistic statement. It was me, a laptop, and a ridiculous amount of audacity, just trying to see what would happen if I smashed every song I loved into one glorious, unholy mess.
The Crown Jewel: Darth Vader’s Paper Planes
The track that keeps clawing its way back from the dead is the one everyone loses their minds over: Darth Vader’s remix of M.I.A.’s “Paper Planes.”
Picture this: the iconic gunshot samples are gone. In their place? Swirling lightsaber whooshes, R2-D2’s frantic beeps, Chewbacca’s soulful wail, and—best of all—Darth Vader himself spitting the verses like he’s been waiting his entire Sith life to drop bars. It’s absurd. It’s brilliant. It’s the kind of thing that makes Star Wars nerds spit out their blue milk and immediately send it to three group chats. Chef’s kiss. 10/10. No notes. The Force is strong with this one, and by “the Force” I mean my complete lack of chill.
The Rest of the Beautiful Disaster
The rest of the demo is no less unhinged:
- “Ah Yeah, We Gonna Be Free!” is a glorious pile-up featuring the Foo Fighters’ “My Hero” drum beat, Weezer’s dreamy bass line from “Only In Dreams,” Led Zeppelin’s sun-soaked guitar intro from “Going to California,” KRS-One dropping knowledge, and Aretha Franklin’s heavenly harmonies floating above it all like she’s personally forgiving me for what I’ve done. It shouldn’t work. It really shouldn’t work. And yet… it slaps.
- “Is This Justice That I’m Feelin’?” throws Johnny Cash’s deep, gravelly soul into a cage match with Everclear, Led Zeppelin, Bob Marley, and Björk. Yes, Björk. The result sounds like a outlaw country preacher got lost in a reggae mosh pit and decided to stay for the emotional breakdown. It’s chaotic. It’s weird. It’s perfect.
None of this was meant to be perfect. It was a raw, slightly sweaty demo tape designed to let club owners and booking agents catch a whiff of whatever strange frequency I was broadcasting. Plug it into a venue’s sound system, let the beer do its thing, and watch the crowd start swaying and smiling like they’re in on the joke—because they are. Every time a new sample drops, you can see the exact moment their brains short-circuit in the best possible way: Wait… is that…? Oh my god, it is.
So here it is. Fifteen-plus years later. Still kicking. Still making people laugh, dance, and text their friends “you HAVE to hear this.” Not because I’m trying to launch a music career or chase clout. Just because it’s fun. Because sometimes the best art is the stuff you make when you’re not taking yourself too seriously.
Would you like a sample?
Of course you would.
Hit play.
And may the mashup be with you.
