THE HEART OF THE BEAT - DALE SCHNETTLER

 

 DJ BANDIT BEATZ 

 MIXING MAGIC 

By RubySage

15 May 2026

 

“It’s me, God and the music. A story teller to my soul” – Dale Schnettler

 I believe that the best music is essentially there to provide you something to face the world with.  Being a dancer for most of my life, I have a special love for music, in particular the beat.  Growing up I idolized drummers and DJ’s because they bring the beat.  And although I never ventured into the world of drumming, I have recently started dabbling in DJing, which just reinforces my view on the beat being heartbeat of the song.

It’s no secret that there are hundreds of ‘drummer’ jokes and although I myself have also ragged a drummer or two, truth is I’ve never really understood why though.  Because, anyone who knows will tell you that good beat making, in general, is finding the balance between variation and repetition. Without any variation, the listener can get bored and will likely skip to the next song.  The beat is often compared to the human pulse, indicating the vital necessity of rhythm.  The beat is the energy, and emotional backbone of a song, the "heartbeat" that connects people through the rhythm. 

More than that though, to bring the beat to life one needs passion… a love that defies all logic and a certain drive that only music can provide.  If I had to put a name to what represents exactly that, it has to be, Prime Circle drummer and DJ Bandit Beatz, Dale Schnettler.  

Not only is Dale one of the nicest people you’ll meet in this industry, he is also by far the most ‘beats’ driven, passionate muso /DJ, in my opinion.

And so I thought it was high time that we get to know the man behind the name DJ Bandit Beatz, Dale Schnettler, a little better.  

MY Q&A WITH DALE SCHNETTLER:

Q: Tell us a bit about yourself.  Who are you on and off the stage and behind the decks?

A:  So a little bit about me.  I love DJ’ing.  I started DJ’ing as a hobby when I stopped drinking and needed something to do to kill the time. I’ve loved it so much that it has now got to the point where I’m pretty much booked up with DJ gigs until end of year! I don’t have family except for my mom and brother who they live so far away that I hardly see them, so music is my life!

 Q: When did you join Prime Circle? And what other, if any band(s)/ projects were you involved in before Prime Circle?

A: I joined the band in September 2008; I was in two cover bands, playing six nights a week, Summit nation and Saving Silence.  I also toured with Karen Zoid for a few months.

 Q: What would you be doing right now, if it wasn’t for your music career?

A: I’d probably be designing houses I always wanted to be an architect.

 Q: You are not only a machine behind the drum kit, but you are also taking the DJ scene by storm. What prompted you to peruse the DJ vibe?  Tell us a bit about that journey.  When and why did it start?

A: The reality is the bands lead singer decided to leave the band due to he’s personal life matters and I was stuck in a situation when I needed to pay my bills, DJing was a god given thing to me I remember praying asking god to help me what must I do after I got a message I get DJ decks and few days later started DJing in clubs and pubs, supper grateful and fortunate.

 DJ’ing takes me into a place where I don’t think about reality.  It’s me, God and the music. A story teller to my soul, I love the fact that I can get into a venue and entertain a crowd this is my calling.

Q: Why the DJ name, 'Bandit Beatz' ?

A: Well if you have seen me play drums …I hit the drums as hard as possible… it’s a stress release, not that I’m angry, it just feels good to hit something hard and not be hurting anyone!  So when I started DJ’ing I decided, as there were no more drums, I’ll band the drums, hence the name, ‘Bandit Beats’.  Even though dance music revolves around a beats.  It’s a play on words, I guess.

 Q: Prime Circle and DJ gigs, not to mention day to day life, must keep you super busy, what keeps you motivated?

A: Bills.  I need to pay my bills. I need to survive like everyone else.  I’m just grateful I get to do it as an entertainer.

Q: How do you feel AI has impacted the music business?

A:  AI has taken not talented people and fashioned them to seem talented unfortunately, but we all want some sort of fame I guess…

Q: Any upcoming gigs?

A: Follow me on my social media pages. All gig related info on all my upcoming events can be found there.

But this is what happening this week:

• Tonight (Friday 15 May) I’m in Nigel Picanha 
• Tomorrow private party 
• Sunday at Hotshots World of Golf 

Next week 

• Friday 22 May - Bossa Roodepoort 
• Saturday 23 May - Urban Oasis 
• Sunday Hotshots World of Golf

 Q: Share one awkward fact or embarrassing moment.

A: Embarrassing moment… mmm, this is a tricky one, as I’m as open as a person can be so I don’t really get embarrassed.  I say it as it is and do it as it is.  But, if I had to share one story, I’d say it’s this one… I once went to a Counting Crows show.   I was so messed up on drugs that I thought I was at Pearl Jam show.  I met the Counting Crowd singer and, thinking that he was the singer of Pearl Jam, commented – to him - that he looks so different in real life as to the music videos! he he he

Q: Do you sing in the shower and if so, what songs?

A: NO!  - I don’t like the sound of my voice.

 Q: Do you have any original mixes/material? And if so, where can we find them?

A:  So I’ve written and co-written a lot of music for the band.  With regards to dance music, I’ve written two songs that I still need to release.

 Q: Which famous musicians / DJs do you admire?

A: James Hype is the reason I started DJ’ing at the age of 42!

 Q: What is the most trouble you’ve ever gotten into?

A:  Yoh!  I’d have to say the band wanting to send me to rehab as I had an addiction and alcohol problem.   I’ve been clean for just over 2 years now.

Q: What is your absolute favourite sound that is entirely unrelated to music?

A: A woman’s orgasm

Q: If your drum kit suddenly developed the ability to talk, what is the very first complaint it would make about you?

A: That I’m too tough on them (he he he he…)

 Q: What is the most spectacularly useless real-world talent you possess that nobody would ever guess?

A: I can read people’s eyes

Q: If YOU could change anything about the industry, what would it be?

A: It would be that club and pub owners start paying the artist what they are actually worth!

Q: What is a piece of advice another musician gave you that you completely ignored, only to realize years later that they were actually right?

A: To run this as a business.  I wish I did this.

 Q: What is one message you would give to your fans

A: Support me and I’ll entertain you and make sure that you are having fun!

Follow DJ Bandit Beatz here: https://www.facebook.com/schnettlerandco

Catch the full review here:https://musiciansdomain.com/activity/p/7864/

"The drummer is the engine of the band" by Neil Peart -RUSH

"DJing isn't talent… it's obsession, discipline, and what you do when no one's watching" and "Never stop moving!" - James Hype

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