Artist News Top Stories

Sweat It Out Records founder dies

By Chris Cooke | Published on Monday 4 March 2013

Australian DJ Adrian Thomas, aka Ajax, was killed in a traffic accident in Melbourne last week, aged 41. According to reports he was hit by a truck when crossing a road in the city.

A regular high scorer in both Australian and global DJ polls, Ajax was also a founder of the Bang Gang DJs, who worked with Modular Recordings and Ministry Of Sound, and in 2008 he launched his own label Sweat It Out Records, which signed the likes of Indian Summer, Loot & Plunder and Yolanda Be Cool.

Numerous electronic music acts from Australia and beyond paid tribute as news of Ajax’s death broke on Friday, while his label issued the following statement via Facebook…

“We are deeply saddened to confirm the news that our dear friend Adrian Thomas (Ajax) has passed away in a tragic traffic accident. Adrian has been instrumental in shaping the landscape of Australian dance music. He was a hugely talented individual and was highly respected by the local and international dance music community as a pioneer and innovator”.

“Adrian touched so many people and it is impossible to sum up his legacy in words. We could talk about his countless successes and accolades in the many roles he played throughout his career. Instead we remember Adrian as a person who was loved by everyone, a person who was regularly described as the ‘nicest guy in dance music’ or the ‘reason I got into dance music’, a person who made time for every single fan in every club he ever played, a person who gave his unconditional support and encouragement to artists on his label and a person who was smart, funny and extremely generous”.

“We are devastated and heartbroken to have lost Adrian and our thoughts are with his family and many many friends who share our grief at this time”.