William Benjamin Bensussen -- aka Gaslamp Killer -- is an electro/dubstep/mixmaster DJ and producer. Growing up in University City, he attended the San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts in Paradise Hills, worked at PB's Access Music record store, and performed around town as DJ Willow.
After working with the beat crew MHE (Machines Have Emotions) with Michael Raymond Russell (of MRR-ADM), the duo released a DJ mix called Gaslamp Killers, a moniker that Bensussen adopted for himself.
Bensussen left San Diego in 2004, eventually ending up in Mount Washington, near L.A, to DJ at L.A.’s famed Low End Theory nightclub. In 2010, he released the Death Gate EP on Flying Lotus’ imprint label Brainfeeder Records, with guest performers like one-time local singer Gonjasufi and noted DJ Computer Jay.
As Gaslamp Killer, he began touring Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. His 2011 European tour ended early after he berated a German audience for throwing beer bottles onto the stage.
His debut full-length Breakthrough, featuring Gonjasufi and RSI on its tracks, was also released on Flying Lotus’ Brainfeeder label.
The February 2015 Grammy Awards broadcast featured Gaslamp Killer in an Apple commercial with British producer Riton, making beats on iPads for Swedish rapper Elliphant. After performing at Coachella in April 2015, he released The Gaslamp Killer Experience: Live In Los Angeles, recorded live in one take on November 7 at L.A.'s Mayan Theatre.
That October, he released a video for "Ritual," shot in the desert after a performance at Coachella 2015. The clip features Lucien Shapiro and Minka Sicklinger and is directed by Phil Nisco and Sawa.