He ain’t no saint, that Nick

Bad-mannered, behemoth-voiced DJ Nick Danger moved to Reno from California three years ago to work for KDOT-FM, 104.5. In the past, he’s held jobs as a cook, photographer, traffic school instructor, strip club DJ, roofer and standup comedian.

What’s your real name?

I can’t say. I’m in a witness protection program.

Why Nick Danger?

Why not?

Your shirt says “Asshole.” Are you?

Everybody is a little, I think. I don’t like stupid people. I think stupid people get coddled in society. So when they call my show, I don’t let them get away with it.

How has the DJ profession changed over the last few years?

The technology has gotten a lot better. It makes your job a lot better, but it also eliminates a lot of jobs. As long as I still have a job, I’m happy. The radio station spends a lot of money on research. I have a little say as to what gets played. … I think most radio listeners want to hear the same thing over and over. We give them what they want. You don’t want to alienate your listeners.

Who is the next big thing in music?

There’s a couple of bands that could do something in 2003. Noise Therapy. … A band called Cinder. [Stone Sour] has the formula, with their aggressiveness, that people want. I think we’re moving away from rap rock. There’s a lot of agro. I mean, Andrew WK may have started a wave, but it didn’t really catch on.

Do you have an influence on young people?

A lot of parents might get pissed off, but they need to know what their kids are listening to, and explain things [their kids] might not understand.

What can’t you say on the air?

I try to push the envelope as much as I can. Some subjects are offensive: sex, bodily functions. When I first came to Reno, I said I want people to really like me or to really hate me, but still listen. Whatever’s on my mind, I say. … I’m lucky enough to be able to say exactly how I feel and not get fired. [Sometimes] in the car I would listen to myself, and I would wince. I would say, God, did I say that that?

What do you think of KRZQ?

Who? Never heard of them.

Do you get laid more because of your job?

Being a DJ definitely doesn’t hurt, but I think it’s not because of where I work, but what I do. You have to have a certain charisma, and that doesn’t hurt with the ladies.

Do you ever get threats of physical harm?

If I don’t get threatened with death once a week and with physical harm once a day, I’m not doing my job. I always tell them where I’m going to be. If your bike chain’s not broken, if your momma’s gonna let you out of the house—come on by.