about
about
DJ BrianPibb: From Small Town Beats to Dallas Dance Legend
Dallas, TX • Spinning since 2004, Professional since 2013
The spark that ignited everything happened in 1992. Brian Armstrong was just a kid in Gainesville, Texas when he discovered a cassette tape that would change his life forever—the soundtrack to “Cool World.” Hidden among the tracks was Moby’s “Next Is The E (Long Arms Mix),” and from that first listen, Brian was completely hooked. This wasn’t just casual interest; it was the beginning of an obsession that would define his entire career and eventually make him one of Dallas’s most versatile DJs.
Finding His Sound in the Static
Unable to attend concerts as a young music lover, Brian found his sanctuary on the airwaves. Every Saturday night, he’d tune into Dallas radio station 94.5 KDGE (“The Edge”) for “Edge Club ’94” with hosts Jeff K & DJ Merritt. These late-night sessions became his musical education, introducing him to the underground dance scene that was thriving just hours away from his small hometown.
As his tastes evolved, so did his ambition. Brian started organizing his own dance parties using whatever equipment he could cobble together—a record player, dual tape decks, and some Radio Shack lights in someone’s garage. Every week, he’d make pilgrimages to Musicland, hunting for albums that spanned rock, metal, industrial, alternative, and electronic music. It was there he discovered Josh Wink, whose track “Higher State Of Consciousness” became another pivotal moment in his musical journey.
The Birth of BrianPibb
1998 was the year everything clicked. Brian scored a flyer for a Josh Wink event that also featured DJ Merritt—the same voice he’d been following on the radio. At the show, he received a postcard promoting a Dallas networking “Rave Board” (this was the early days of online communities, remember). Realizing he needed a brand for this new chapter, Brian looked down at the Mr. Pibb in his hand and found his answer: BrianPibb was born.
Still in high school, Brian organized his first rave in his hometown with two friends who shared his passion. What started as a small gathering quickly grew into something much bigger, establishing his reputation as a skilled event organizer and tastemaker.
The Drum & Bass Revolution
At that first Dallas rave, Brian encountered Drum & Bass through DJ Dieselboy’s set. The unconventional rhythms didn’t immediately grab him—until a spontaneous moment changed everything. As a joke at another event, Brian grabbed the mic and rapped Vanilla Ice’s “Ice, Ice, Baby” over the D&B beats. The crowd went wild, and that performance reached the ears of Reggie Zeno from Zedan Productions, known as the “godfather” of the Dallas dance community.
A week later, Brian got the call that launched his professional career: an MC gig at The Ridglea Theater in 1999. MC Pibb was officially born.
Underground to Mainstream
Throughout the early 2000s, MC Pibb became a driving force in Dallas’s thriving Drum & Bass scene, helping bring underground music to mainstream audiences. He shared stages with globally renowned artists, traveled across Texas and throughout the US, and became a recognized voice in the community. By 2003, he was ready to expand his skills behind the decks, and in 2004, he officially began spinning as DJ BrianPibb.
The Professional Evolution
What started as underground EDM dance parties evolved into something much bigger. Brian‘s ability to read crowds and adapt his sound made him invaluable across every type of event imaginable. His philosophy? “Great music doesn’t live in just one box.” This mindset allows him to seamlessly transition from spinning House and Techno at underground raves to curating the perfect corporate playlist, from throwing down Drum & Bass and 2 Step Garage at club nights to creating nostalgic journeys through 80’s, 90’s, and 2000’s throwbacks.
His genre mastery spans: House • Techno • Drum & Bass • Indie • New Wave • Post-Punk • Dark Wave • 2 Step Garage • Disco • 80’s • Throwback 90s & 2000s • Emo • Hip Hop • and everything in between.
Family First, Music Always
In 2007, Brian made the difficult decision to step away from music to focus on welcoming his son and building a stable home for his growing family. But life had other plans. When his son was diagnosed with autism two years later, the expensive medical treatments required Brian to return to what he knew best—music.
The Renaissance Years & Going Professional
Brian‘s comeback began with a friend’s wedding, which led to a residency at Chaucer’s in Allen, TX. This opportunity pushed him far outside his comfort zone, forcing him to master genres he’d never explored. The challenge transformed him into a truly versatile DJ, and soon he was working multiple locations across the area.
2013 marked the beginning of BrianPibb’s professional chapter. He launched his mobile DJ business, quickly establishing relationships with top vendors throughout the DFW Metroplex and building a reputation that would span over a decade.
