I love Audio Assault.
Regis yes, I only recently started getting into his stuff. 65D Mavericks are astounding!
I like your call and response idea. I think thats where I'm falling down- the call goes out but my response is falling flat or not happening.
I have to look into side chaining because it isn't something I have ever done before.
The reason I like the off beat/broken beat stuff is because it is more, as you say inspiring and a lot more of a challenge to make. That is to say, I never really mastered thud slap thud slap...