www.hypnoticrecs.com

PAUL OAKENFOLD VOYAGE INTO TRANCE CLP 1085 One of the true masters of the turntable, Paul Oakenfold, invites you to take a 12-track journey of the world's best trance. This continuously mixed record fea- tures tracks by TRANCEMISSION, TELEPORT, LCD, FAT BUDDHA and many more! A Voyage Into Trance is both a gesture of Oakenfold's love of Goa trance and a trip into the expansive mind of the most hypnotizing genius in dance music today!

MATTHEW DJ GRIM CLP 1081 In the 14 years that he has been performing, DJ Matthew Grim has been at the forefront of the underground dance music scene working with the best electronic acts including the CHEMICAL BROTHERS, CRYSTAL METHOD, DJ KEOKI AND RICHARD "HUMPTY" VISSION! Hypnotic records proudly pres- ents this unconventional and instantly recognizable talent.

DEEP HOUSE CULTURE CLP 1086 “When they come to write the history of dance music, the word ‘Garage’ will have a section all to itself. The writers of that book, if they want to get the facts right, will use this collection as a damn near perfect example of what real Garage sounds like.”

- Alan Russell, Soul Movement / Echoes Magazine

RAVE TRANCE 2001 BIG 4069 2 discs of continuously mixed trance by the extrodinarily tal- ented DJ Ibiza. A non-stop musi- cal voyage that features classic tracks from well-known artists such as DJ Akira and Bypass Unit as well as the best under- ground dj's! A compilation to highlight any party in the year 2001 and beyond!

HAPPY HARDCORE ESSENTIALS BIG 4047 Furious beats and uptempo to say the least, Happy Hardcore Essentials features groundbreak- ing artists including VIRTUAL SOCIETY, CELLBLOCK-X, SON OF A BITCH and exclusive tracks from TRANSMUTATOR and DJ MATTHEW GRIM!

HYPNOTIC RECORDS 13428 MAXELLA AVE #251 MARINA DEL REY, CA 90292 WWW.HYPNOTIC RECS.COM • CALL 310. 823. 0337 • FAX 310. 823. 5497 FOR A FREE CATALOG : [email protected] • 310. 823. 0337 ADDICTED TO DANCE

Publishers: Wess inside: Fix 12. john digweed Managing Editor: 16. loxy Mike Fix 20. ron d, core Genre Editors: 38. happy hardcore in Simon Apex Ganesh america Demigod 24. sundissential SDF-1 &DJW Barbarella 18. mark tabberner Dimension 23 32. raves killed Contributors: by crack? Ron D. Core, Barbarella, Knowitall Desert Outlaw, Brad Vachal Robyn Scharaga, Gary B., DJ Rain Yehudi Sledgehammer, Origin sections Cover Design: 46. uk hardhouse / nu-nrg Marcelino (Mars) Sandoval at Chipmonk Grafx 36. happy hardcore design by: 58. jungle / drum n bass The Grafix Dept. Jr. Editors: 42. hardcore Marcus Soto 50. trance Cathleen Egasani Yonas Gebru

Advertising: 323.651.0275 Rich Sihilling Ian Dealhoy [email protected] plus: Editorial: 323.651-0275 60. charts [email protected] 8. weekly raver news WEB: www.freebass.tv 10. random art

©2001 Freebass. All rights reserved, ...and much more... no portion of this magazine may be reproduced without the written per- mission of the publisher. ADDICTED TO DANCE welcome debut get yours thefirstWednesday of hooked. but ifyou do,justremember to get not to our issue. try to every month. every all the latest raver news...all in one place...this is the... WEEKLY RA Super Star DJ Keoki’s face found on MARS! During last months Moontribe event in the California desert. Chris Morani, an attendee managed to take this photograph of the super star DJ with his amateur astronomy set-up. This very rare image is sure to rival the original face on Mars photograph. So far we can’t figure out the significance of why the Super Star DJs face would be on Mars, but we’re certain of one thing, if Keoki’s face is on Mars, there’s sure to be others. Though one thing deeply troubles us here at WRN, Mr. Morani wasn’t avail- able for comment after he sent this image to us. Many attempts were made to contact him, even a trip to his residence yielded no contact. If anyone has any information on where Mr. Morani is, please contact us. We fear Mr. Morani may have been taken into custody by either the CIA, NSA, or NASA in an attempt to cover up this discovery After days of phone calls to the radio tel- escope in South America, no astronomers would officially com- ment on the discovery. The only on the record comment was made by the secretary at the facility, “Keoki’s face may be on Mars, though it’s highly improbable.”

If you have any news worthy articles that we may not be aware of, please send us e-mail at “[email protected]” help us help the world with news and information! AVER NEWS

Intern Discovers Huge Ravers on Internet! While surfing the world wide web for new undiscovered Asian porn sites, a WRN intern discov- ers what may possible be the largest ravers ever recorded in history on the internet. These giant sized ravers were found at www.fatchicksinpartyhats.com. We feel this may be just the tip of the iceberg. Worlds largest E-tab found in China. In December of last year two Norwegian sci- entists discovered what may possibly be the worlds largest E- tab. Based on carbon dating, this E-tab at the diameter of 2 feet 3 inches, dates back to the early 16th century. This discovery came as quite a surprise, since the expedition was commis- sioned to find the final resting place of Noah’s Arc. Two headed raver baby born at rave expected to live! Baby Sarah/Thomas should live a full and healthy life doctors say after rare birth at rave. The parents are ecstatic about the news but would not comment on the record about the two headed child.

questioned:questioned aa freebassfreebass q/aq/a JohnJohn DigweeDigweedd

Progressive house and trance, what do you consider to be the differences? This seems to be a gray area for a lot of people. Is this your own stuff? In England, trance is something that’s not There’s a new Bedrock track, called Strange, cool. I relate trance to very much that which is a track I did, and a new track called melodic deeper sound, that whole German Forge, which is an electro break beat track, sound. That too me was the trance sound. a bit different from what you’d normally Progressive to me is like early Left Field, expect from us. quite a lot of rhythmic beats, bass lines, and everything else. It’s so hard to say this is What did the criminal justice bill do to the this, and that is that. That’s why I’ve always scene in the UK? hated pigeon holes. It stopped all of the illegal warehouse, orbital raves, you know, turning up in a field and What’s going on with Bedrock? putting up a sound system, it really did The club night is still going really well, 2 1/2 squash it. It forced people to do things in years. It’s one of those great nights where clubs, and forced higher standards. Clubs you have a regular crowd, really into what’s like Cream, Gatecrasher, Ministry, they’re all going on, they’re very open minded. It’s great clubs, and keep raising the bar, they really great to have a crowd that’s into the have to do more now. People come to the music. clubs expecting more, they’re not going to settle for a couple of speakers in a room And the label? with a flashing light. Half of me misses the The label is doing really well. We have a warehouse, the not knowing where the party whole bunch of stuff coming out over the is going to be, there is an excitement, a lot next few months. We had such a good year of fun, driving though the country not know- I just wanted to sit on a few things, we’re ing where you’re going. going to get started releasing at the end of February. dd

What do you think of the whole internet, napster thing… I think it’s great for someone who makes music, and can’t get anyone to listen to it. What’s next? What do you think is going They send it to record companies and they to be the future of this sound. To me, I have so much shit they can’t listen to it. think it’s gone as deep as it’s going to get, But if you make tracks and believe in what and it’s also hit the peak of cheese. you do, and you put it up and people listen What you’re seeing over the past 12 to 18 to what you do and like it, it’s a great way months is a reaction to that highest level of to progress. Then you’re doing a good job cheesiness, it’s like you have to go totally doing what the press, the radio, and every- the opposite way. I think what we’re really one else isn’t doing for you. seeing is the sound with America and England merging in the middle. With pro- ducers like Halo and Doc Martin, and all that sound, fusing with what’s going on in England. I think it’s really exciting with everything joining up. I think about April, May, things are going to start going up a bit, some really good stuff in the next cou- ple of months. T it thatway, peoplethen were like,”whatthefuture gonnabelike”…Now weknow…We’re init!… the future? We’re inthefuture now, tothepeopleliving inthepastdecadesago…Ifyou thinkabout The future iswhatitis,it’s aheadofus…we haven’t gotthere yet…Doyourealize thatwe’re livingin The Future? to trygetbackthepeople,and letthemknowwhat’s goingon. Usually peoplecanEmailme,orcall meandsaytheyhavestuff theywantmetocheckout…Ilike How doesanaspiringproducer audition trackstoyouforcritiqueorremix? something tobegained… I’d lovetoworkwithDom&Roland…I’d really bewillingtoworkwithanyone,becausethere’s always Who wouldyouliketoCollaberate with? I’ve gotagoodsystemI’mplayingon,Ihavetime… Some ofthebestshowsI’vehadisalwaysongoodsoundsystems…good monitoring…Anytime Best Performance? At thetopoflist…Dom&Optical’s Quadrantsix. Favorite all-timetrack? the V.I.P. mix… I wouldhavetosay, the‘Genome’tracks…Leaning more toward Favorite Track you’veworkedon? Rush&Optical… been afanofDom&Roland,andDylan….Overall,Ed good edgetothemusiche’s producing…As farasUK..I’vealways ing inAmerica…Ireally likewhatHiveisdoing…he’s really got a with PieterK’s stuff, whichIthinkissomeofthetopnotchproduc- Some ofthebeststuff I’veheard isKC…,It’s rightupthere What kindofUK/USDJ,orproducers isEssasininto? Ecco, Juju,Noel,Abstract…. and Hive…Upnorth(SanFranciscochapter)isUFO,Sage, The L.A.chapterofPhuncatekisMyself,PieterK.,Subcode, Who makesupPhuncatekCrew? Phuncatek atsomepoint… called ‘Wireframe’ …Ialsogotatrackcomingouton and aremix forTheAngel…Ialsohaveanothertrackdid I justfinisheduparemix forRinse&Flux…atunecalled‘Killa’, Any newtracks/projects intheworksforEssasin? street dateforthatisApril23rd. also gotseveralunreleased tunesthatnevercameout…The r I’m puttingtogetherthefirstCDrelease forsoundsphere April release… Wo ate newsounds… and filter, tweek,orlayerthemtowithothersamplescre- sound library…I’malwaysintotryingtodisguisethesounds Mainly Samplebased...althoughIhaveareal expensive Where doyoursoundsoriginate? and anAlesisD4drummodule… computer fordoingsequencing(Cubase)…outboard effects, I’m basicallysetupwithasampler(Emuesi4000),and Let’s talkaboutgear… music... some maddrumprogramming…Being adrummermyself…Ireally wasdrawntothatendofthe I gotintoD&Bwaswhenhadfirstheard earlyjungletrackscomingout(1993to’94),itwasjust T ecordings, compilationspanningthefirstsixreleases, andit’s une into Essasin’s “Danger Zone”Sundays 8-10pacificon Grooveradio.com ell mewhatinfluencedyoutojourneyintoDrum&Bass(D&B)? rd

Essasinon thestreet isthere’s anewEssasinCDduefor Interviewed by: SDF1<<

original photo by Chris Woodcock

“Futuristic Jungle....Dark Funk.” It is the dawning an intimate venue where even the prospect of of a new era in drum and bass; an era of experi- sweat condensation falling into your drink didn’t mentation, where the sound is raw, edgy and stop the night being a weekly roadblock. Loxy annihilates the dance floor. This sound, pio- remembers listening to Doc Scott at that time, neered by artists such as Goldie, Doc Scott and still one of his biggest influences in the scene. Source Direct, has been resuscitated, breeding a “Doc Scott was, and still is, very influential to me demented hybrid of past and present. On the as a producer and DJ. The way he plays, the forefront, leading us through the dark, and into way he constructs a set, it’s like he makes music the deep, are artists like Total Science, Digital out of other peoples music, he takes you on a and Spirit, Dylan, Ink and Loxy. journey, from the light side to the dark side and everywhere in between. He just plays the way a Loxy hardly ever rests. In the last three years DJ is supposed to. People like Doc Scott, alone, he has played all over the world; The Goldie, the Reinforced and Moving Shadow U.S., Puerto Rico, Australia, Russia and all over Crew....they’ve kept us moving forward. “ Europe, leaving behind a path of destruction, raw beats stabbed with soulful sounds. While ‘93 It was late one Sunday night, after Loxy had saw the release of his first ever produced track played on the radio, that he grabbed his tunes “Role Call”, the millennium saw the birth of his and headed over to Metalheadz. Doc Scott was own label, Cylon Recordings, co-managed with running late, and since Loxy had his records with Dylan (Biotic, Outbreak, XXX), aimed at ‘mani- him, Goldie asked him to play until Scotty festing nightmare beats, ruckus...but still moving arrived. Although he only played for about 20 the dance floor’. With the success of Cylon’s first minutes, it was enough to secure Loxy a resi- releases,”End of Days/Eclipse” and “Dark dency ever since. DJ Ink also played at these Skies/The Enemy”, and a slew of secret projects nights, alongside DJ Clarky as part of the ‘New in the pipeline, Loxy’s plans for world domination Breed’ of Drum and Bass. “I first saw Ink at look well under way. Speed in ‘95. Although they didn’t get along at the very start, they began to work together. A Born in East London, music was essential in result of partnership, Loxy’s household, where his father, also a DJ, “Submerged”(Ink/Loxy/J.W.), was released in always played Soul, Reggae and Disco. These 1997 for Ink’s label, “Architechture” on Basement early influencesdj shaped his appreciation for Records, though Loxy laughs that he still hasn’t “deep, deep tunes...but with melodic elements. I been paid. Loxy began to DJ for LTJ Bukem at was strongly into Hip-Hop culture, Electro, his nights, ‘Speed’ and ‘Logical Progression’, Acid.... sounds with a different angle, music that however, “Bukem wanted Ink and I exclusively, switched my perception...” and we thought that would limit us at the time. I Loxy remembers the affect parties, such as wanted to concentrate on my own sound, devel- Telepathy in 1990, had on him at the time. op myself within the scene. I continued at “Hearing and seeing DJ’s like Grooverider, Fabio Metalheadz.” and Ratpack...hearing the tunes they were play- ing, seeing how people were responding,” he Loxy met Dylan at the Metalheadz Leisure says, “It changed from something I listened to Lounge sessions, after playing five of Dylan’s and liked, into a way of life.....” tunes back to back. “Dylan approached me, we started talking about music and realised we were Loxy began to pursue djing, playing on pirate fm on the same vibe, we’ve been mates since. It stations like Chillin’, Underground (ran by MC helps to get along when you work together, Rage), Eruption and Rude, and was quickly there’s no conflict of ideas but we each bring in given a slot at a weekly illegal party in London’s something different, something fresh.” Loxy East End. In 1992, Loxy began, “messing about” says, (Dylan’s sitting next to us at the computer). in the studio with DJ’s Swift, Zinc, and MC Rage. An early attempt to produce together ended These studio trysts eventually led to bookings at when Loxy fell asleep and Dylan carried on mak- bigger venues like Desire, Thunder and Joy, and ing the tune solo (“Spectre”). “That’s why we’re Club Jungle. making sick tunes now, now is the time....”

It was through a late night set on Underground At this time a crew began to form, all like minded FM, that things began to take new form. Early individuals, all similar influences, all with different 1995, Kemistry and Storm tuned into Loxy’s set methods. The Posse: Loxy, Dylan, Ink, Clayton- on their car stereo. Liking what they heard, they TOV/Renegade Hardware, and Danny Breaks, regularly supplied Loxy with unreleased records, met up every Sunday at Metalheadz, listening to and often metLox up at each other’s house. They breaks and locking girls in the toilets. “Why was were helping to run MetalheadzWords: at the time and Robynthere a lock on the outsideScharaga of the door?! We Loxy was introduced to Goldie, who was hosting never locked it for long anyway....” Loxy and the legendary Sunday Sessions at the Bluenote, Dylan laugh. (Funny enough, yours truly had the pleasure of experiencing one of these lock-ins, and in their slight defence, they didn’t keep us in there too long. And it was kinda funny...... when it was done to other people.) Ahhh.....the good old days.....

These days, Loxy works around the clock. A regular at the Renegade Hardware nights, Metalheadz, and clubs worldwide, Loxy’s sound reaches across the continents. In some of the coun- tries he plays, even he is surprised at the way drum and bass has infiltrated and even dominated the dance scenes. “You always hear (mimics) ‘drum and bass is dead’! What? It’s bigger then ever! I play in places that you’d never even think heard of drum and bass and the people there relate, they’re in it! Drum and Bass ain’t going nowhere!”

There are deep, dark plans afoot for the future. Projects like X- Factor, a sub label of Cylon, which will focus on a broader style of drum and bass. “We have a couple future secret weapons,” Loxy says slyly, “Let’s just say we’re going to surprise people with what comes out of that one!” Another project, the ‘Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse’, features Loxy, Dylan, Ink and Keaton as Death, Pestilence, War and Famine, the plagues that swoop down and infect the population, brought about by the end of the world as we know it. Releases on Cylon are in the making as you read this, as is an album on Renegade Hardware in 2002. “The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, coming to a dark corner of your room soon!” Loxy sounds ominous. I think he means business.

Future plans for the man himself? “ I want to learn more production techniques and I need my own studio! I’d like to keep doing what I’m doing, travelling, experimenting. I’d like to collaborate with producers like Digital, Spirit, Matrix and other artists on a similar vibe,” Loxy says, “and I’d like to play in Jamaica. It’s where my family is from and I’ve never been there. Besides that, I love touring the States, it’s my favourite place to DJ, and my girlfriend lives there....” He trails off.

And the highlight, thus far, of such an extensive career? “There’s no one place or one time. It’s a highlight every time I get to play, and every time a crowd feels it. I just enjoy Djing.”

Loxy is featured on Renegade Hardware’s “Nightmares” E.P., and on ‘Trapped in Beats’ (Outbreak E.P) alongside Dylan, yInk and Damage, both are released this month. When did you start DJing? Ten years ago at Renaissance in England.

At what point did you realize you could make a living as a DJ? I didn’t realize you could!

What did your parents think? The soccer team I play for, Hollywood United, is the focus of a documentary being filmed by the BBC, they are doing profiles on each of the players and it will be broadcast on BBC 2 in the U.K. My parents may finally give me recogni- tion when they see me DJing on the T.V and not think that I am laying around doing nothing as usual.

Do you have any good stories about your residency in Brazil? I played a party in Sao Paulo for Elite modeling agency and when I left the club, since my mind was on other things, I ended up leaving both of my record boxes in the back of a taxi. I couldn’t remember which cab company it was and so for 2 weeks me and my friend Rubuen went back to the same spot where we had picked the cab up from trying to see if we could recognize the driver. I men- tioned what had happened to a girlfriend and she told me that all the cab drivers listen to the same radio station. We called in to put an anoucement out on the airwaves and by sundown I had my records back. The old man who found them in the back of his cab said that he tried to lis- ten to the records but just didn’t understand them! I was amazed that I even got my records back. If they hadn’t turned up I wouldn’t have been able to start my residency at the club and would have ended up going back to England.

From your experience playing around the world, what do you think some of the key differences are between different contents or similar- ities? I don’t really see a difference on a club level as the music scene is so wide- spread now.

Do you do any producing yourself? If so, what’s in the future? Mark Tabberner I am in the studio now with Pete Lorimer and want to get some tunes out as soon as possible.

Favorite thing to put on toast? Poached eggs and spinach.

How do you see progressive house and trance chang- ing in the future? a freebass q/a You will have to visit a druid to find that out.

First record you ever bought? uncovered: Rat Race / The Specials / 2 Tone

Do you think DJs will ever stop using vinyl? No, to have complete control of the tune you need to touch it!

What was your goal when putting together your new mix CD Trance Atlantic Communication? To fit the experience of a night out for the price of a C.D. From paying the cover charge, buying drinks, E’s and a taxi home, so my ultimate goal was to save everyone about $80.00!

Do you think achieved it? Only the listener can decide that.

If someone asked you to name a US Hardcore DJ, more often than not the answer you’d get would be Ron D. Core. What Ron has in common with a lot of Hardcore DJs around the world is his rapidly growing interest in the Nu-NRG scene. Already an established pro- ducer of some of the more brutal Hardcore cuts to hit vinyl; Ron has already started crank- ing out some Nu-NRG toons in his own inimitable style… Mr. Core himself was kind enuff to fit in this interview between DJing, producing and running one of Los Angeles’ most successful record shops, Dr. Freecloud’s Mixing Lab

RonRonRon D.D.D. Core...Core...Core... HardcoreHardcoreHardcore tototo HardHardHard House...House...House... by dj ganesh

Most of the people that are familiar with the NU-NRG scene and has done great things you will associate you with the hard-core to push this newly recycled sound to what it is scene. What has been the main force that today. Now the hoover needs to go away caused your shift from hard-core to Acid because it has been so played out and it’s Techno and Hard NRG? I haven’t made any time to go to the next level and let this style of switch I’m still playing hardcore. I’ve always music grow and mature. Your own label, wanted to play the Hard NRG and Acid Techno Atomic Hardcore Recordings, has been stuff because it reminds me of the Old School your vehicle in the past for promoting Techno days from 1990-1993. NU-NRG and hard-core in the states. Will Atomic evolve Acid Techno has a lot of energy which is why with you or do you plan on starting anoth- I’ve grown to love it so much. I can’t go back er label to release NRG tracks? Atomic in time to relive the feelings of what the music Hardcore will be growing stronger this year used to be like that is why I started to play this and years to come, we have many big time stuff. It may not be hardcore but it’s just as hardcore artists coming to the Atomic hard but without the high BPM. What do you Hardcore family and I will be pushing this label expect will be the reaction to your chang- to be the #! American hardcore label. I have 5 ing sounds? How would you address the different tracks done for the NU-NRG sound 3 inevitable comments that you’ve pussed of them are going to be shopped to prospect- out or gone soft? I’ve all ready got reactions ing labels in the U.K. and the other 2 tracks from several people and the overall response are a joint project between Rich @ Majestic has been positive. I’ve played only 5 or so NU PKA Dimension 23 vs. Ron D Core. Look out NRG sets at large raves and several L.A. and for many new releases from me both Hardcore O.C. clubs. Believe it or not when I played at and NU-NRG. Do you have any favorite the Primal Trance party I had a lot of kids labels, producers or DJs that inspire you come from the Hardcore room into the room I at the moment , either here or abroad? was playing in and everybody was going off to Nukleuz, Honey Pot, Mohawk, Aztec, Public the tracks I was playing, which reassured me House, Cannon, 4x4, Route Master are just a that I was going to keep on playing this style few of the labels that I dig. Mauro Picotto, of music as well as the Hardcore. How would Nick Sentience and Choci are some of the pro- you describe your style with in the hh/nrg ducers that I like. There is only one DJ that I genre? Well, I would have to say that my always give mad props to Frankie Bones he’s Hardcore roots are definitely noticeable with definitely been an inspiration to me since I first the NU-NRG and Acid Techno. The reason why started out as a DJ back in 1986. Where do is because no matter what I have played in all you see the Hard House scene going in the my 15 years of experience as a DJ I have kept years to come? Do you think it will contin- it hard and aggressive. For those who don’t ue to establish itself and become a major know my past up to present time as a DJ, I force in the rave scene? First off I think the would also have to say that It’s not that unusu- Hard House name needs to be dropped in al for me to be playing this style of music in order for this sound to stay around for a while, fact it makes sense because the sounds that but I do think this sound is going to last for are so prominent in the NU NRG sound go long time. The NU-NRG sound has all ready back to the Techno era of 1990-1993. One established itself in the club scene, but now is more note I refuse to call this sound Hard the time for the Underground Rave scene to House mainly because when you say Hard embrace this music because the energy in this House in America it translates to cheesy, booty music is so addictive and has all the right ele- house. What do you think about the ubiq- ments to please the masses. How do you uitous hoover? Over used or useful tool? like your eggs? Over medium. The hoover has definitely made a statement in uncovered: aa freebassfreebass q/aq/a PAULe

How long have you been DJing? What’s been your favorite moment while I have been DJing for 5 years - beatmixing DJing? for 3 There have been a few . . . PAULe’s BDay Bash 2000 with 4000 people an unexplain- What first inspired you to become a DJ? able feeling, . . . Monster Massive 2000 and I would go to 21+ clubs when I was 18 and the 2x4 with Thee-O, . . . and the chance to party and watch the DJs play, but I never play in Hawaii with Thomas Michael and wanted to really DJ unitl my first rave in Doran, two of my closest friends and col- 1997 watching Thomas Michael and leagues. Christopher Lawrence control the crowd. What’s the worst part of DJing? Rumor has it you play ice hockey — The rumors that come with the position have you ever wanted to check another you’re put in - people may see you al the DJ or promoter? time, but that doesn’t mean they know you No, but a few promoters deserve a jersey - and learning who your true friends are. over the head and a few punches in the face. :) What’s next for DJ PAULe? This year, I want to play more out-of-state What type of events do you prefer gigs, while producing my own music and a playing at? mix CD. I love the massives because you’re able to control a sea of people dancing - but on Favorite kind of ice cream? some Wednesdays, Magic is the spot for This week, it’s Mint Chocolate Chip. good music at a good club - it’s nice to be able to have a couple of drinks while mak- ing new friends.

Sundissential is generally acknowledged about some of the things they have seen in as being the UK’s most outrageous club the club - and ask them if they’re joking. experience and currently one of the biggest Where else would you find a man carrying a and most successful clubs to boot. toilet around all night for no This superclub, which came into being apparent reason, another in October of 1996, currently operates in contorting his entire body four of the largest cities in the UK, those through a stringless tennis being Birmingham (its home town) Leeds, racket or the glow-stick Bristol and Newcastle. In three of these police. locations it holds true to its original premise What about the outfits of operating on a Sunday, running from that the Sundissential faith- lunchtime till midnight. This has created a ful spend days creating with unique experience, club- their own hands, in a kind of bers turning up for the fancy dress spectacular. music, atmosphere and How has this come about

sundissenYehudi Sledgehammer, Feb 2001, London t likeminded people. With you might ask, well the the late great Tony De Vit answer lies in the two at the DJ helm playing a fine blend of UK founders and promoting and European Hard House, a Sundissential partners who operate the Sound soon developed which was to influ- club. At first glance you ence anyone who set foot in the club. The would think that Paul Madan marathon Bank Holiday events soon (or Madders as he is affec- became synonymous with scenes of hedo- tionately universally known nistic debauchery with coach loads of club- as) and Danny Kirk have bers arriving from all over the country. nothing in common., Sundissential is built on an ethos of the Madders being the extrovert strongest resident DJ’s (who are adored by who personally introduces the regular members to fanatical levels) and every DJ and event in the club and is never around whom a unique atmosphere has seen off the dance floor; and Danny the been created. Ask anyone who’s been thoughtful negotiator who has parleyed the original germ of the concept into the club- a Sundissential Record and so, this year, for bing force it is today. But Danny and the first time ever Sundissential have Madders met in a club after both had sam- released their first album, available on pled the delights of just Sundissential Records this is a double CD about every club, rave event mixed by the two longest serving stalwart and free party going on residents Paul Kershaw and Nick Rafferty between 92 and 95. As a which serves not only as a retrospective of result of this experience they the finest musical moments of the last four decided to apply everything years, but as a calling card for the future they felt they had been look- Sundissential Records is launched on the ing for in a club and so back of this album with to remit to release Sundissential was born in the best music played in the clubs and a the Pulse Club in desire to Birmingham. They soon out- develop new grew that venue and have original talent never looked back. As reflecting the Madders ha said if the club- clubs policy bers are having half as good of innovation a time as he and Danny are and excite- then Sundissential can only ment. tial get bigger. Witness the This year for the first time TV commer- there is a touring cial currently Sundissential, which takes in being aired in many venues all over the UK the UK; every single person featured in it and is now traveling to was picked from the dance floor in the club Europe, the Far East and by Madders and appears in the advert in Canada. There are plans to their own costumes bringing their own open the first ever sense of style and attitude to the ad. Sundissential Club in the We look forward to the next few years of USA this year and Danny music and vitality from Sundissential and its and Madders are even plan- imminent arrival both as a club and a ning on laying on special record label in the US. charter flights to import that special brand of Sundissential clubber to get the spirit right from the off!. All of this has lead to a huge demand for Swedish Egil @ Groove Radio dot Com a freebass q/a

What’s the deal with Clear Channel? You were telling me a couple of months We think this is an exciting time for us. As ago about a satellite music system that you know a lot of dot coms have disap- you’re involved with? peared. So when the dot com bomb That’s different, the satellite deal is with a dropped in April of last year, we felt it to. company called Sirius Radio Broadcasting. We didn’t get our second round of financ- They’re going to be America’s first satellite ing, but then this Clear Channel partnership car radio service. They’re offering 100 radio came up. Because they are America’s stations in your car for $9.95 a month, it’s biggest broadcasting company with over commercial free, and it’s going to have 50 1,200 radio stations, and the interest grow- news, talk, and sports, and the others are ing on the internet, and they’re looking at music channels, all the music channels are us and the numbers we have generated, commercial free. I’m the format manager for they wanted to copy what they’re doing. the dance channel. It’s going to be more They figure they could have copied what we main stream than Groove Radio, it’s a dif- are doing, but it would have taken 2 or 3 ferent kind of company. They figure there is years. 220 million cars in America, and if they can get a few percent of that, the business will What I am excited about is the fact that we go around for them. They have everything have an opportunity now with some real from Blue Grass to Dance, Hip-Hop to broadcasting people behind us, looking at Underground Rock, they’re covering it all. our success with Groove Radio. It’s pretty Otherwise, Groove Radio is completely sep- serious. arate, I just consult for Sirius, but my regu- lar job is here. What I think what’s happening is a lot of growing pains, we have a lot of people coming to the site and there is a lot of con- gestion, where a lot of other companies couldn’t handle it, this company can and we’re allowed to grow and grow and grow.

Important dates of Egil’s career: 1975 Booked Radio Luxembourg’s Radio Gods • 1980s DJ at KROQ Los Angeles • 1991 What makes Groove Radio different from How’s your DJ career going, I’ve heard a all the other dot coms? rumor that you’re working on some mixed I think this whole DJ culture has been grow- CDs. ing, growing, growing for a long time. I It’s going pretty good. I have made one think the key to Groove Radio’s success is mixed CD for this club in New York called that, we’re unlike any other site, we’re a liv- Webster Hall. I played a little different style ing, breathing animal, we’re here all the of music for me, but it’s all bangin’ trance, time with music and information. When you like Tin Rib and stuff like that, it’s all about go to many other sites, you have to and 140 to 150 bpm, this stuff jams. I have entertain yourself. another mixed CD coming out through EMI with more well known stuff like, Tiesto, BT, What is your vision for Groove Radio? credible stuff without being cheesy. Then I I want Groove Radio to be a home for have a third CD that will be the follow up to artists, DJs, and producers. A place they Trancemission. can come to and share all their good music with all the people that are listening. I also What’s next for Groove Radio? think of Groove Radio as a filter for all this We’re going to the Winter Music music, we have a lot of good music that Conference. We’re going to be broadcast- passes through here, and we pass it on to ing as much as possible, and seeing who’s people. going to be coming up big time this year. We have our eyes towards the future, I think How has Groove Radio rated? Groove Radio is going to be more like tele- Arbitron is the company that measures vision in the future, it’s a very exciting time. internet radio stations, and traditional radio stations as well. Out of 2,200 stations on the internet, Groove Radio came in number 6 overall and number 1 in our demographic.

Music Director at MARS FM • 1994 Groove Radio 103.1 FM • 2000 Groove Radio.com magicwednesdays.com info #323.281.0516 1642 LasPalmas iefx&jason jay a mike fix & 10pm -6am Hollywood, CA Magic Club Blue 1 FullBar 21+ 8 WithID 18+ located at production Open Philadelphia 611 Records, RICHARDS NIGEL March 14th W (Progress, UKEssential, SD) (LIVE) SKYCHURCH ELECTRIC March 21st W www.skychurch.com John Kelley with and Maris DRC with Ministry ofSound UK Y W MAGIC omanda MAGICednesday,

ednesday,

ednesday,28th March

Thomas Michael Thomas

with Coolwhip, Five Star, Five Coolwhip, with

Plus Hip Hop in the Crib the in Hop Hip Plus al Thee-O & Paule

(San Francisco)

AI RESIDENTS: MAGIC Hysum, and Drez and Hysum, This looks to be the year for IMIXrecords. Two thou- sand saw this Portland label dig in its heels, putting itself firmly on the house music map. Started in 1996 by Matt “Rock” and Rico Bejar, the label first released the ‘Stargazer’ EP, a drum and bass single

by Brad Vachal produced by Rico. IMIX gained grassroots support by sponsoring local club nights and then began an aggressive national ad campaign that had mouths watering for the next release-CDs by Astral Matrix and San Francisco’s DJ Spun. Shortly thereafter, 12” releases followed from longtime San Francisco favorites E.T.I. and Single Cell Orchestra, in-house artists Alpha Children and Porn de Barte, and a sin- gle from S.F.’s Bent Halos (E.T.I. and Galen). The Bent Halos release was licensed for a DJ Garth San Francisco Session CD. Mostly recently, IMIX has put out another E.T.I. single with mixes from San Fran man-of-the-moment Dano. The next single by John Howard and Damian Salza (IMIX’s studio wiz) could very easily be IMIX’s biggest to date. And while its national exposure continues to grow, the label maintains a strong local link sponsoring three label profile successful club nights in the homebase of Portland. IMIX continues to develop the label as an important American tech-house producer with strong San Francisco ties, which is not afraid to venture other directions when it feels strongly about an artist’s work. Next up is a Freaky Chakra CD that could propel IMIX from its spot in the underground into the Tower’s and Sam Goody’s of the industry. Watch also for forthcoming 12”singles from Denver’s Wyatt Earp and IMIX’s Rico and the in-house IMIX team of Damian Salza and James Capricorn. For more information on IMIX check out their excellent website at: www.imixrecords.com. The bi-coastal collaborative label known as Black Pearl introduced itself to the drum and bass scene in the summer of 2000. Unfortunately ever since, they have lain rather dormant. However, the turn of the tide has come and Black Pearl has cooked up a recipe for major attention in 2001, with five releases planned before the summer. Black Pearl is also currently undergoing a search for an inherently American drum and bass sound, looking for raw, aspiring producers to feature on their label. The label began over a year ago, when DJ/Producerís Mad Max and Hak presented their idea to San Francisco’s Silver Pearl Records owner Eric Spire. Creating a sub-label of Silver Pearl, a well-known house label, Black Pearl immediately garnished the distribution and public attention granted to its mother label. This allowed the first release “Skatterbrain” by Mad Max complete with a Tech Itch remix, the attention it deserved. Since then, the label has been on what seems to be a hiatus, but in actuality, they have been lining up a schedule of releases that will drop hard in 2001. Beginning with BP #2, “Inside” by Hak with the super-ill, total neurofunk remix biz-ness of Decoder. The track was released on Feb. 19 of this year and has already seen far more success than its prede- By DJ W cessor. Also hitting the shelves in early March will be BP #3, Mad Max’s “The Storm” featuring the running remix that can only come from the sounds of Kraken. BP #4 will be released later in March with “Off One” from Hak as well as a remix from LA’s Hive on the flip. Then in April, things promise to heat up as well with the BP double-pack EP featuring the tracks “Spun,” “Spoon ‘Ead,” and “Triple Beam.” And as if that was not enough, BP #6 will feature another slammer from Hak with a remix from DJ Ink. Sick. One of Black Pearl’s leading minds is Mad Max, the San Francisco native DJ/Producer currently sta- tioned in New York. He cites his production as the result of the constant search for an unquestionably American sound, an unknown destination in the world of drum and bass. His map to this destination stems from the roots of his clubbing experience in 1994-95, when the music presented an array of emotional experiences. “We’re really trying to have an emotional experience with what we’re doing,” Max says, “Just get in a zone while you’re doing it and going through a range of emotions while creat- ing a track and hope that it comes out in it.” In his quest for unknown artists, Max is looking for producers who aren’t afraid to walk a new path. “Like Decoder,” Max says, “he’s known for doing his own thing despite what is going on in the rest of the label profile drum and bass world. In that light, I love hearing great tracks from American artists who aren’t afraid to try new things, where you can really see the per- son behind it, not just an American version of an English sound.” For those producers itching to release their works on a serious drum and bass label, send your sounds to: Black Pearl Records 343 Soquel Ave. #191 Santa Cruz, CA 95062. All others should report to your nearest record store to experience the mag- nitude of this truly American drum and bass label.

Raves Killed by Crack? the war against clubs... by Gary B. In Los Angeles, 2001 seemed to be off to sive, often featuring large computer ren- a good start, both New Year’s massives ran dered images of dancers or dj’s; he avoided successfully without incident. “Together As putting giant E’s or X’s on his flyers like some One” drew an all ages crowd of 40,000 promoters did. Before entering any of his ravers to the LA Memorial Coliseum and events at the State Palace everyone was Sports Arena; it also brought $4 million dol- thoroughly searched for contraband. lars in commerce to the city. Up the street, in Security was also tight inside; especially the street, the city had closed Hollywood since, unlike most rave venues, the State Blvd to cars so that “Giant” could fill it with Palace had a full bar and could lose their clubbers. Giant also filled the coffers of three license if they allowed minors to drink. local charities, raising over $250,000 for the On Saturday August 26th, 2000, shortly Hollywood Police Activities League, Lacers, before opening, federal and local authorities and the Boys and Girls Club. It seemed LA raided the State Palace looking for anything city officials had finally realized that the illegal inside. Local New Orleans police and “rave” scene wasn’t all that bad. federal DEA agents had been investigating Apparently federal officials had reached the State Palace and Estopinal for several the opposite conclusion. On January 12th, in months and had succeeded in obtaining a the other LA, Louisiana, federal prosecutors search warrant for the venue. Nothing illegal indicted James Estopinal, a New Orleans was found inside, nor on Estopinal, the club promoter, for violating the “crack Brunet’s, or their employee’s. house” law of 1986. Also indicted were Brian and This legislation is vital for the Robert Brunet, who man- safety of our children and our aged the venue that Estopinal used for his nation. Around the country... events. Some of you may Ecstasy is spreading faster than be thinking “only in the South” could a prosecutor any drug since crack cocaine mistake a rave for a crack -U.S. Senator Grassley house; but you’d be making the mistake. Estopinal and the others are charged with breaking a federal law; if con- So what did they do that was illegal? victed, this could set a national precedent that applies to all states. U.S. Attorney Eddie Jordan argues that Estopinal (known as Donnie or Disco) Estopinal and the Brunet’s knew that ecsta- started promoting events at the State Palace sy and LSD were being used at the raves, in 1995 under the production name “the therefore were guilty under part (2) of the FreeBass Society” which he later shortened “crack house” law. And what is the proof to “the FB Society”. He quickly built a repu- that the defendants actually knew about tation for putting together professional, high usage of ecstasy and LSD: venders inside quality events, which in turn allowed him to the club sold pacifiers, light sticks and bot- book talent previously unseen in New tled water. Orleans (population 600,000.) One of his last How serious is this? I spoke to Gram Boyd shows at the Palace featured Rabbit In the National Director of the ACLU’s Drug Policy Moon, Josh Wink, Doc Martin, John Litigation Project who was familiar with the Acquaviva, and Mark Farina playing on a case and described it as “significant and sound system brought in from France. important.” He suggested that there was Estopinal’s event flyers were equally impres- probably something more behind this case than just prosecuting the three defendants: not a crack house. The charges against “I think the DEA is trying to use it to set a Estopinal are outrageous, and if the govern- precedent and I think that people need to be ment can convict him, they can get any pro- aware of that.” Promoters and musicians moter. The charges against the Brunet’s are take note of what Boyd’s Through this campaign, our hope is suspects, “the DEA is apparently concerned that Ecstasy will so on go the way of about the rising rates of crack, which saw a dramatic reduction ecstasy use amongst young people, but rather in the quantities present on our streets than going after the drug after information of its unpredictable users, or the drug deal- impurities and side effects were made ers, or the drug importers they’re going known to a wide audience. after people that play -U.S. Senator Bob Graham(D) Florida music, and that’s clearly Sponsor of the Ecstasy Anti-Proliferation contrary to the first amendment.” Act of 2000 Last year, Congress passed “The Ecstasy equally absurd; even if vindicated, how many Anti-Proliferation Act of 2000” (and others) to venue managers are going to risk even the combat what is described as an epidemic of possibility of a federal indictment. I urge ecstasy use sweeping the nation. Congress anyone so inclined to write your local sena- allocated $15 million for education and law tors and representatives, and to support enforcement starting in 2001, along with groups like the ACLU (i.e. send them money increased penalties for sales and posses- - they’re fighting for your rights.) sion of the drug. A media campaign is also Under the advice of his lawyer, Estopinal underway, and apparently the electronic couldn’t talk about the case, but he did say music scene is targeted along with the anti- “Rave On!” drug message. Language used in the new law actually defines a “rave” as “the loca- tions of Ecstasy use.” One anti-ecstasy radio features an adult male making fun of raves, in one part the speaker ridicules teens for “dancing like a moron sweating like a pig” - that’s suppose to STOP teens from using ecstasy? Yes there are drugs at raves, there are drugs everywhere in our society, but a rave is

The “Crack House” Law

Title 21 United States Code (USC) Controlled Substances Act Section 856. Establishment of Manufacturing Operations (a) Except as authorized by this title, it shall be unlawful to — (1) knowingly open or maintain any place for the purpose of manufacturing, distributing, or using any controlled substance; (2) manage or control any building, room, or enclosure, either as an owner, lessee, agent, employee, or mortgagee, and knowingly and intentionally rent, lease, or make available for use, with or without compensation, the building, room, or enclosure for the purpose of unlawfully manufacturing, storing, distributing, or using a controlled substance. (b) Any person who violates subsection (a) of this section shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of not more than 20 years or a fine of not more than $500,000, or both, or a fine of $2,000,000 for a person other than an individual.

The New Orleans promoters are charged with violating subsection part (2) The following people are NOT on the guest list...

“Club” drugs have become such an integral “there is a new drug on the scene—Ecstasy, part of the rave circuit that there no longer a synthetic stimulant and hallucinogen. It appears to be an attempt to conceal their belongs to a group of drugs referred to as use. Rather, drugs are sold and used openly “club drugs” because they are associated at these parties. Traditional and with all-night dance parties non-traditional sources contin- known as ‘raves.’” ue to report the flagrant and U.S. Senator Biden open drug use at “raves.” Intelligence indicates that it has “Through this campaign, our also become commonplace for hope is that Ecstasy will so on security at these parties to go the way of crack, which saw ignore drug use and sales on a dramatic reduction in the the premises. quantities present on our Statement by Michele M. streets after information of its Leonhart Special Agent in unpredictable impurities and Charge side effects were made known to a wide Los Angeles Field Division Drug audience.” Enforcement Administration U.S. Senator Bob Graham(D) Florida Before the House Judiciary Subcommittee Sponsor of the Ecstasy Anti-Proliferation on Crime Pasadena, California Act of 2000 July 06, 2000 “This legislation will curb the near-epidemic “Raves are basically giant dance parties abuse of ecstasy... it will help inform teens featuring loud, pulsating “techno” music - that rave parties and drugs can be a deadly and, to borrow from the old expression combination.” about jazz, if you’ve got to ask what “tech- U.S. Senator Bob Graham Friday, no” is, you’ll never know. These parties can September 22, 2000 have dozens of participants or thousands, and while they’re open to any- “one gram of Ecstasy would be one, the locations are often a treated like 2 kilograms of mar- secret to anyone outside the ijuana. This would make the “rave scene.” penalties for Ecstasy similar to Rave On, But Know the Risks those for methamphetamine” Partnership For A Drug Free U.S. Senator Biden America website “My state of Florida has been “there are numerous Internet particularly hard hit by this websites with information on plague. Ecstasy is customarily the effects of Ecstasy, the pro- sold and consumed at ‘raves,’ duction of Ecstasy, and the locations of which are semi-clandestine, all-night parties Ecstasy use (often referred to as ‘raves’).” and concerts.” “the education of young people on the neg- U.S. Senator Graham ative health effects of Ecstasy, since the reputation of Ecstasy as a ‘safe’ drug is the “Production costs are as low as two to most dangerous component of Ecstasy” twenty-five cents per dose while retail Ecstasy Anti-Proliferation Act of 2000 prices in the U.S. range from twenty dollars to forty-five dollars per dose” “This legislation is vital for the safety of our U.S. Senator Graham children and our nation. Around the coun- try... Ecstasy is spreading faster than any Quotes collected during research for Crack House drug since crack cocaine” feature. All quotes taken from Government U.S. Senator Grassley publications or Government funded publications.. ADDICTED TO DANCE

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make contact 323.651.0275 SimonSimon SaysSays byby simonsimon apexapex

What’s up everyone, I am Simon Apex and The label bug seems to be catching on over welcome to my column. My aim is to bring in the UK with Robbie long and Devastate put- everyone up to date news and gossip from the ting together there label which is called USA and throughout the rest of the world as to Rebirth, and should be hitting the streets over what is going on in the Happy Hardcore & the next few months. Hixxy has been busy all Bouncy Techno scene. year working on the final touches of his new Last year was a big year for the scene in the label Raver Baby which will feature Hixxy, of USA. Insomniac productions brought us course plus UFO , DNA and a bunch of other Nocturnal Wonderland which showcased an top UK artists. Raver Baby is scheduled for all Happy Hardcore arena with Hixxy, Brisk, release at the end of March early April so keep Force & Styles, Dougal, Vinylgroover, DNA, MC your eyes peeled for that one. The Nu Energy Storm & Charlie B representing the UK side Collective has had a bunch of excellent new and myself and Lostboy representing state- stuff recently and a bunch of bits on the way. side with a little help from Dj Bounce. With the start of Go Mental Platinum, the Nocturnal Wonderland achieved an atmos- rebirth of Raving Mad and Go Mental Dark phere level that I have never seen outside of plus the Future Dance label on the way these the UK and I believe the end count for the boys are going to be delivering the goods whole event was over 45,000 people plus the through 2001. Happy Hardcore arena was rammed with over Kaos, Energy, Ethos & Sharkey are also 4,000 all night. Due to the success of coming stateside in April for a tour. They will Nocturnal Wonderland many other events be touching down at the massive Audiotistic in started popping up all over the country billing Los Angeles on April 14 then making there way some of the biggest names in the industry. up to the Sacramento area for Future Fest December saw Hixxy and storm back over 2001 on April 20, where they will be joined by for a tour touching down in Indianapolis, Robbie Long and MC Storm for an all hardcore Arizona & Seattle. I also was on the tour with arena sure to rock your socks off. them for several events and what scorchers The album front has been a little quiet but they were. Destination by BRB Xandue pro- that is about to change. High Born are contin- ductions in Indianapolis rocked, everything uing their World Of Series, which was highly was excellently planned the crowds were popular last year featuring artists such as amazing and to top it off Devastate from Next Dougal, Breeze, Sy & Unknown and Scott Generation was brought out to give his serving Brown. Scott Brown is about to hit a massive of rock hard beats. The whole weekend was 50th release on Evolution featuring ‘Now Is amazing apart from being kicked out of the The Time 2001’. Breeze has a new album Marriott suites on the first night but that’s a ready to go which is stacked full of brand new whole other story! material. Happy to be hardcore 5 just hit The scene in the USA is building its own stores and we at SSU have just finished our foundation with the start of many new domes- debut album. The SSU album is the first ever tic labels. In the SSU camp we have kicked off 100% stateside Happy Hardcore album and is ‘Mashed Up’ a label catering to the cheekier packed full of new & fresh material with 80% side of the sound, also ‘Havinit Large’ which of the tracks unreleased and were all written will showcase an array of artists near, and far, and produced in the USA. The SSU album is international and domestic. The first release called ‘The First Taste’ and should hit the comes courtesy of Robbie Long and the streets over the next couple of months. Coyote serving up a large portion of break Well that’s about all I have time for this beat mayhem. Havinit Large 3 will showcase issue. If you would like more info on anything ‘Taken Away’ by Charlie Jupiter & myself plus in the column or have some juicy gossip well a Fade remix on the flip which is sure to be a worth a mention. Please give me a ring at sub- choon to watch out for. I have also been work- sonic underground the record store at 916- ing closely with the crew from San Francisco 441-2775 or give me a mail at to kick off their label ‘Supernova’. On the east [email protected]. Don’t forget to tune in coast Charlie Jupiter and crew are working on next time and remember keep it real, keep it getting their label off of the ground in which happy, keep it hardcore! Charlie is flying to the UK to calibrate with Respect as always, Devastate to create the first release. -Simon Apex

Hands held high reach for the sky. A played in our favor due to the increasing regular sound from the Mc’s mouth as the curiosity of what many people thought stomping bass breaks into the most was a new sound. The event sold out in 2 uplifting piano while the crowd chants hours without doing any presales tickets “Hardcore”. This is becoming a more and we knew from this point forward that common occurrence in the US and is hardcore was just going to get bigger. captivating the entire country. Before we Then in February 1998 Simon Apex tell you about what is happening in the was booked to deejay hardcore along United States (US) hardcore scene let us with Paulina Taylor at the notorious kick this issue off with some history of International Rave Center in Oakland who we are and what we are doing in California. It was here that we met Brice America. aka Ion and formed a business partner- I am Angela and I am originally from ship to build a studio dedicated to hard- HAppyUS and I am married to Simon Apex. core. Simon Apex is originally from the UK and I think it was around May of 1998 that is a hardcore deejay and producer here in H3 threw an event called “Harmony 2” in the US. Together we own Subsonic Los Angeles in which DNA and Force & Underground and co own SSU Styles were headlining. Then on January Recordings; which is located in 15th 1999 we held our “2 Year Birthday Sacramento, California. In August of 1996 Bash” (although a month late) we flew out after I spent 2 years with Simon in the UK DNA & Mc Charlie B. This time the event either listening to Hardcore or going to sold out in 1 hour. Unfortunately for rea- Hardcore raves, we moved to the US. sons beyond our control the event was HARDCOWhen we moved to the US hardcore was shut down at 1:30am. R unheard of by most people throughout March 1, 1999 after 6 months of plan- the country. So together Simon & I decid- ning and anticipation Subsonic ed we would somehow introduce hard- Underground The Record Store was born core to a wider audience or we would go and we dedicated our website solely to back to the UK. hardcore. DNA was so blown away by the Our first event “Groove Injection” was increasing support and attention hardcore held November 15th 1996 as a result we was getting that in May of 1999 he moved came up with the name Subsonic to the US to team up with us. Because of Underground that used to spelt Sub our newfound hardcore mentor the con- inSonic Underground hence SSU.AMERI Hardcore cept of SSU Recordings was sped up and C was not accepted at all in Northern studio work began to be more serious. California so Simon Apex’s deejay sets On July 24th 1999 we held incorporated US breakbeat and old skool “Origination 99”. Robbie Long, Devastate hardcore. & DNA headlined the hardcore arena and bySometime Angela in June of 1997 we came the night was sure to be a success since across a review about a hardcore party the attendance was far bigger than we called “Harmony” in Los Angeles thrown had originally anticipated. However the by a company called H3/Underground event was shut down at about 1:00am Source. So we packed our bags to search due to reasons beyond our control. out the people who were involved, and Even though 2 of our most anticipated everything seemed to fall right into our and talked about events did not succeed laps. We met up with H3 and they told us planned we felt that we exposed hardcore about Wes owner of Majestic distribution, to a much larger audience in northern sole importers of hardcore into the US. California. Also with the support of H3 The day we met Wes he received his first throwing hardcore events in southern record shipment and since we all got on California & Wes at Majestic Distribution well we decided to do some business supplying most of the music hardcore together. For the next 2 months we set up began to catch the eyes & ears of many a music booth at various events so peo- different people across the country. ple could listen to vinyl, tapes & cds, thus Mid December of 1999 SSU the start of Subsonic Underground The Recordings was born and SSU1 / Simon Record Store. Apex & Ion / Feel Good / Simon Apex, In October 1997 we moved back to Haze & Hectic / Treble & Bass was Sacramento so we could set up an online released. Since we were the first hardcore record store and get things moving for record label to have a release we did not the hardcore scene now that the music know what to expect, as we were unsure was available. On December 25th 1997 of the US market. To our surprise SSU1 we held our “One Year Anniversary” party broke even within 3 months and was get- for Subsonic Underground which was ting regular plays at many dance events strictly 150 bpm plus. However Simon and radio stations across the country. was one of very few hardcore deejays SSU2 / Roll Da Bass E.P / Simon Apex, able to play out, but at the same time this Haze & Hectic original mix / DNA Red Alert Remix was our second release and hit best “Going Out” vibes I’ve ever had. I like the streets at the end of January 2000. SSU smaller gatherings for the strength of the 3 / DNA, Simon Apex & Lostboy Reaching connection between DJ and crowd, but the edge original mix / DNA & Lostboy massives are definitely my fave. ;) Nocturnal dubbed Breaks & Bass mix appeared in Wonderland 2000 comes to mind as an stores across the US around the end of incredible event, everything a massive February 2000. The vocal for “Reaching The should be! Edge” was our first time using a live vocal- ist although challenging we felt it was a SSU: What is the crowd reaction like success. SSU4 / Simon Apex & Ion when you are performing? Superman / DNA Remix was released July Brisk: It’s Brilliant! Really responsive! They 2000 and due to the DNA remix it made its make you feel welcomed. Doesn’t matter debut on the massive Dance Speed compi- where the event is, crowd reaction is lation from Japan. We have wicked. had a tremendous amount of SSU: What do think of the US feedback about the SSU promoters compared to the Recordings label that we are UK? starting 2 new labels as well Mc Storm: I love coming to the as keeping up on the SSU US but it’s a long way to come choons. from the UK. The US has a long Now in northern California way to come in terms of profes- you will see promoters such sionalism, but compared to as Skills & Feelgood MC Storm some of the other countries like REntertainmentE incorporating hardcore into Canada & Denmark 75% of the promoters their lineups on a regular basis. Today it is do it proper in the US. The US scene is not uncommon to see many UK artists such helping the UK scene by booking UK talent, as Brisk, Hixxy, Fade, Robbie Long, but I have noticed that if the night is not Devastate, DNA, Kaos, Breeze, Force & going well then some promoters will try to Styles, Vinylgroover, Charlie B & Mc Storm dump everything on the artist. headlining any kind of event. In addition SSU: What do you think of the US hard- professional organizations such as core Deejays? Insomniac Incorporated in Southern DNA: I think that the Hardcore DJ’s I’ve California, Swell in Arizona, BRB / Xanadu heard are pretty good. Mumblz in Boston Cin AIndianapolis & Source Productions in was brilliant, Simon Apex in Sac has some Chicago and many other promoters from good skills and upfront dubs, Lostboy in LA many other states and cities in is good. I think the lack of new the Nation are booking hard- DNA material holds a lot of them core as they feel it is one of back, which is a shame. the fastest growing sounds. Hopefully, record sales will Because so many UK artists improve soon, which should are spending a great deal of encourage more releases, which time here in the US I decided would mean DJ’s could play to see what a few of them had more varied sets. to say about the US scene. SSU: How do you feel about the music in general in the Angela: What you think about the US US Scene? (For instance how all genres hardcore scene? are in one room, unlike the UK) Mc Storm: I believe it is still in its infantry Brisk: I prefer it! I love it! Variety is the spice stage but it is continuing to grow and I see of life! A good night out should revolve it exploding in the years to come. At the around many styles not just one. In the UK moment the US hardcore there are loads of the same ravers have adopted the UK Brisk anthems playing in one night, scene but have given it it’s the anthems gets played out. I own unique twist, candy jewel- like to stay to the end for the US ry, rave gear and constant raves when I can to see what communication via computer. I the other jocks are playing. have noticed that US ravers are very opinionated and they There is so much more to cover either love you or hate you in America so keep picking up and will let you know. this magazine so we can keep Angela: What is your opinion of the US giving you coverage of the hardcore scene events where you have performed? across this vast nation. Until next time! DNA: I’ve enjoyed all of them, almost with- out any exception. I like massive events Respect more than small ones, but only just. The Angela excitement of being at a massive is the Subsonic Undergournd Many of us have heard of Scott Brown the same repetitive shit every time I step the producer and owner of Evolution back from the studio then I don’t go back Records from Glasgow Scotland, well those for a week or two”, Scott explains. tuned into the hardcore A lot of people scene have, and by the feel that hardcore is time I am done with this in a musical transi- article the man behind the tion and so does music will be revealed. Scott Brown. “About Scott Brown is a hardcore 3-4 years ago, the producer and deejay music was caught in whose musical influences a rut and many peo- range from trance to ple were trying to do thrash metal, and he is a the same thing, musician who will always ‘anthem bashing’ as strive for new direction. I called it. These Scott Brown started days, producers tend producing records in 1991 to be putting more when he was 18, however unlike most other and more into their music, trying to estab- hardcore deejays, he found himself produc- lish their own sound and in turn, bettering ing first then DJing as a hobby. In 1991 the hardcore scene in general, for me this is Scott tells us “The scene was very rave ori- the way to go ahead as we need variety in entated and the hardcore scene hadn’t the hardcore scene”, explains Scott. even developed” It wasn’t until 1992-1993 Scott has not worked with anyone in the that Scott started to deejay & produce more studio in a long time, but he loves writing andSCOTT more records but mainly for Dutch BROWNmusic whether the tunes are remixes or labels. Scott has dabbled in many labels in something new. His latest works ‘Return to his time but currently owns Evolutions Elysium’ on Blatant Beats “wasn’t techni- Records, Twisted Vinyl & Bouncy Techno. cally a remix.” Scott tells us, “Brisk asked Evolution records are about to hit 50 me to write a monster track like ‘Elysium’ rEVOLUTIONeleases so we asked Scott why he feels it but RECORDS when it was finished it sounded a bit has been so successful. “I think the biggest much like ‘Elysium’ so I titled it ‘Return to reason is that I love the music and so I go Elysium’.” Mooshineby haveAngela recently put out with the flow, rather than Happy 2B Hardcore trying to drastically Chapter 5 which change the hardcore showcases 3 of Scott scene and losing the plot Browns tunes ‘Lost completely”, explains Generation’, ‘Power Scott. Scott has stayed of Love 2000’ & with hardcore because he ‘Pilgrim 2000’. ‘Lost loves it but more impor- Generation’ has been tantly he finds it easier to released twice, once produce and easier to be on Twisted Vinyl 35 original. “If I think it’ll and then on Bouncy work in a track, I’ll try it Techno 5, however it out - if it doesn’t work, it’ll is out of press now never go beyond my stu- and almost impossi- dio walls” Scott explains. ble to get. ‘Power of On the other hand studio work is not Love 2000’ might be released on Evolution always easy and Scott finds most studios Records in the next half of the year, and I boring unless he is in with friends having a am sure there are a lot of us out there who laugh and not doing much production. So would love to get our hands on that. how does Scott Brown keep himself For further information on Scott Brown & refreshed with new ideas? “I sometimes Evolution Records please visit his website have to discipline myself. You tend to be at www.evolutionrecords.co.uk. If you are under pressure to write another great track interested in booking Scott Brown stateside and when it’s not happening for you, it can please visit Up Front Bookings at www.sub- be a nightmare. If I get too bored I surf the sonicunderground.com or Call (916) 441- Internet. If I start losing ideas and getting 2775 happy hardcore reviews Scott Brown into a heavenly breakdown of Jay Kay Return to Elysium uplifting strings and piano line Delirious Blatent Beats 23 that drives straight into a hard UV Recordings 1 Once again Scott Brown pounding mid section with a If you love that 97’ style of bangs out another slammin’ tasty little vocal sample and a hardcore, then this track is a choon, but this time for the speedy lead line. The second definite must get for your hard hittin’ label Blatant Beats. breakdown is a sweet n’ record bag. The choon starts Starting with the classic claps, chunky D&B riff that filters out off with a set of “Boom, Clap, hats and gibberish samples, to a nice blend of strings and Boom, Clap” percussion and the pounding kick slams in hits hard with a build up to the lead line, and a wicked 97’ with dirty off stabs all the way outro. This choon is definitely style piano riff. First break- to the ivory key and string a divine work of art. down is a nice choice of breakdown. After that it’s on to -Dj Orion strings and a speedy piano more dirty stabs and booming line that jumps into a stabby kicks that will keep your DNA V’s DJ Energy mid-section. The second speakers blowing. Last break The Bastard breakdown is a remake of down is pretty much same as Remix 8 Sharkey’s “Enuf” using pokey the first with the wicked piano This is definitely one bastard stabs to build up to a speed- line and uplifting strings. Even of a track kick in’ off with a ing frenzy of pianos, strings thought this wasn’t meant to killer set of amens and a fierce and percussion. A well-wicked be a remix of Elysium I still kick drum that drives like a choon! think that this wicked track semi-truck into a raging set of -Dj Orion can shake any dance floor, lead lines. As the track smash- which makes you reach for the es through everything in its Kaos lasers and scream. way it comes to a build up that SorryKaos -Dj Orion fires off like a cannon scream- Go Mental Platinum #2 ing “BASTARD!” into a mas- Well give it to Kaos for anoth- Simon Apex & DNA sive mid-section. The second er vocal stormer. His rendition Destiny 2000 breakdown comes in with a of this classic track is just Subsonic Underground 5 set of eerie strings and a fierce what I thought it was gonna This remix flat out smashes all out war of drums and sick- be. Still keeping the cheesy the original 1997 mix of Simon ening bass lines. This bastard edge that Go Mental has Apex, Fade and Bananaman’s track will drop LARGE on any always had, this high-energy Destiny! Lick ‘in off hard with a system at any party! romp is a bit on the softer side “Funky beat,” this driving intro -Dj Orion than most of the past releases. packed with crazy drums, Still the slammin’ kick drum wicked scratch samples, and Frantic & DNA and punchy stabs (not to men- beefy stabs is without a doubt Right About Now tion the superb vocals by sure to make the crowd go Joining of the Clans 4 Vickie) have me itching to pull crazy. The breakdown’s mix of Kick in’ off this track is a very it out and play it. This one is pianos, strings, and vocals are noticeable rip of the vocals sure to be a crowd pleaser. uplifting enough to make even from Fat Boy Slim’s -Lostboy the hardest jingliest sing “Rockefeller Skank.” From along. If that wasn’t enough, there it builds up into hard Mr Hooligan all this, plus a wicked lead line droppin’ kick and a set off fil- Anon. driving you into an “annihilat- tering samples to tickle the Hooligans Of The New ing” fat boy breakdown with ears. Most of the track is pret- School #5 funky breaks and pumpin bass ty basic from the first break to This newest release in the lines to make this a must get the beginning of the last, filled hooligans series is sure to track that is sure to drop hard- with lush stabs and pretty spark some memories. This core! bland bass lines. Now if any of new remix of “Music So -Dj Orion you have seen “Lock Stock Wonderful” is straight up and 2 Smoking Barrels” then I Hardcore, Hooligans style. Anon. know your going to love this The pounding kick drum Bit of a Sweet Symphony EZ Rollers rip for the bass line reminds me of the old dutch Mashed Up off the final breakdown. This stuff from 95’ or 96’, but the This new label Mashed Up funky break beat is pucker for superb stab patterns gives it pieces together a soothing but scratchin’and all in all it’s a that old school touch that still hard pounding remix of well made choon with some hooligans is best know for. the choon “Bittersweet wicked funky bits for the This track is ruff and rugged Symphony” from the verb. It “Funk soul Brutha.” like propper old school was shoots off from the start with -Dj Orion plus the acid line filtered in some hard chugging stabs puts a nice finishing touch on it. and fierce kicks that blast you -Lostboy DEMIGOD’SHARDCORE RANT! Greetings and salutations yall. Welcome to well as the stories of tomorrow. Speaking of the first installment of “Demigod’s Hardcore memories, New Year’s Eve 2001 went off big Rants.” Your one stop for all things hardcore. time as Insomniac and Go Ventures teamed As your Freebass navigator through the hard- up once again to bring us “Together As One.” core culture, I can assure you that we will no As usual at any Insomniac event, Hardcore doubt encounter a lifestyle unlike any other. represented in force. The vibe was ill, the peo- One that is both rich in history and proud with ple went nuts, and the talent was thick. integrity. Although the Representing strong from lifestyle is deeply rooted and the East Coast, Omar driven by the music, it Santana, Rob Gee, and encompasses much more newcomer to L.A, Delirium then just the basskick. absolutely demolished the Hardcore is a way of life. An sports arena. I swear, some- answer of sorts to the world times the freakin’ paint on we find ourselves in. When the walls must of been peal- “wussy pop” dosen’t repre- ing with the enormous sound sent who you are and how of the bassdrum shakin’ the you live, hardcore is there. place to bits. Even though Perhaps hardcore can be the hardcore area wasn’t called a frame of mind or given the same size room as even a state of being, what- say the trance, the hardcore ever you call it, it’s within us all. The trick is to faithful never the less made our arena the best bring out and tune it in. That’s where the beat at the event. Being as this was a west coast comes in. The music is the key. It’s no secret party, you know the home coast representa- that music is simply a physical extension of tion was tight as hell. Ron D. Core, Static, the soul. The music which we most relate to Capsule, and yours truly manned the guns could even be considered an extension of who and unleashed a hardcore assault so devas- the person is inside. In other words, the music tating, the poor little ravers almost lost their that touches you the most, does so because of minds, not to mention their legs from dancing who you are as human being. The question so ruff and tuff against the speaker walls. Ahhh then is, are you hardcore or not? If you are speaker walls, any o.g. hardcore raver knows read on, however, if your some soft, pansy, about L.A.’s fine tradition of thunderous close minded individual, do us both a favor speaker walls. Remember the original and skip this section, unfortunately it’s not for Stargate in that long dirty wherehouse, or you. This is for hardcore heads everywhere. damn how about Ghetto Basic at the San So what’s this column going to be about Bernardino Fairgrounds? Yeah baby that was then? I mean obviously it’s going to cover some serious decibels being put out by the hardcore music, but what else? Lot’s more woofers. That reminds me, is anyone else fed than I can really get into in this inaugural up with treble machines at raves. I’m sorry but piece. Lets just say for now it’ll cover the ting, ting, ting, just doesn’t compare to boom, music and rave scene in an interesting behind boom, boom. That damn tingy sound in a lot of the scenes manner. I see lot’s of funny ass shit the crapier sound systems makes me wish I at raves, lots of drama. Stuff that deserves to wore earplugs. Overall the event was a huge be in print. Emotional, inspirational, and full of success and a great opportunity to see some life is our great scene. That is what I hope to familiar faces. Not to mention being able to bring across to you each time. Hopefully I’ll experience some sick hardcore with a few bring across the memories of yesterday, as thousand of your closest friends. I want to take this opportunity to congratu- port, so ya’ll reading this remember to give that late 5lowershop and Spaz up in the Bay Area homie some props for his history when you see on a kick ass oldskool type underground event. him. Someone once said that “with the support Held right next to Aquatic Park in Berkeley, the of the past, the future becomes ever so beats went uninterrupted all night long. A near brighter,” I think that works nicely in this situa- miracle nowadays considering no permits were tion. Excuse me if I sound nationalistic, I just obtained and no cops were hired as security think we should all support the U.S. hardcore guards. The warehouse was straight out of techno labels to the fullest, considering how 1991. The people in attendance were so outnumbered they are in comparison to the fuckin’ eclectic that it wasn’t even funny. All Europeans. The hardcore techno scene here sorts of heads showed up to support the in the states would just explode if their was an underground. For instance, at about four in the increase in full-out professional production morning, this group of five little girls came in releases. Since more people would know who just tripped me out. Imagine set to hard- about hardcore, the events would not only be core, a group of cutesy girls more numerous and of larger totally decked out like butter- size, they would also be of flies, dancing around all sick higher quality. In other like with little old style French words, the more support umbrellas. The crazy movie domestic hardcore techno like way they twirled their record labels receive, the miniature umbrellas as they better our entire rave circuit danced to brutal hardcore will be. was out of this world. The Hardcore techno has long techno worked so beautifully prided itself on gaining an with the dance of the butterfly ever increasing audience, girls that I almost felt as if I while at the same time was watching some com- remaining ever so true to the pletely surreal ballet set to the badest beats in “underground” in which it was born. A culture the land. That’s what I’m talking about, all sorts such as ours must always act carefully in terms of people showing up and contributing to the of letting the “general population” in on our positive vibe with their originality. If only more dirty little secret. Our jewel in the ruff must be undergrounds could go on like this and be protected at all costs. Even though I always try such a success, good job Binnie. There’s some and encourage my friends to expose hardcore really interesting events coming up which I techno to open minded people when ever they can’t wait to experience and share with you. So have the opportunity. I also however support look out for even more hardcore event reviews keeping it out of the hands of the people who next time from cities such as Frisco, Calgary, have no respect for it. Everyone knows when Seattle, somewhere in Mass, L.A., and more. popular culture gets a whiff of something, they Music project wise, there’s a great deal of usually shred it to bits for their own greedy gravy to look forward to. For instance, L.A.’s profits. As far they are concerned, everything Dr. Freeclouds which is run by Ron D. Core has to be homogenized for easier digestion. To and Helen is set to release two new 12-inch’s be hardcore is to recognize and reject such on their Atomic Hardcore and Oblivion record actions by the establishment. The establish- labels. Rumor is, one of the projects could be ment has for years said that electronic music is an Atrocities release. Everyone familiar with not music at all. We’ll screw them! Let them the Atrocities series on tape knows very well think that if they want. We know how powerful what kind of madness to expect from this and innovative our beats are compared to a lot union. Also slated for any day now release is of the boring trifle being shoved down our the long awaited second volume of “United throats by the so called pop culture of today. States of Hardcore.” Check this out, guess And as long as we recognize and remember who’s on this volume? None other then “just that, we’re all set. So there you have it, the first moved to L.A. Mr. Omar oh oh Santana!” Off Freebass installment of “Demigod’s Hardcore the hook is an understatement, nuff’ said. Rants.” Hope you enjoyed reading it as much Another tasty tidbit circulating the circuit lately as I enjoyed writing it. Keep the faith my fellow is the return of Industrial Strength Records to hardcore heads, the future is ours. Oh one the scene. The original U.S. hardcore label has more thing, I wanted to give respect to Wes to get back in the ring again without delay no and the entire Freebass crew for doing some- doubt, but how? Some have rumored that the thing that a lot of the other zines are either label would be run from Europe making it a unable or afraid to, cover hardcore respectfully export for us here in the states. I say fuck it, and correctly. ‘Til next time. whatever works. What’s important here is the return of one of the very first hardcore record Sincerely, labels ever to the scene. I personally think Demigod Lenny Dee can completely rejuvenate Industrial Strength Records with the right sup- HARDCORE reviews: V/A production and loud as f**k. let you forget because it Angelic Friction’Reflux My side of the disc is pretty states both “hardhouse” and (Reflux 1217) good but I will leave it up to “hardcore” throughout the Brand new broken beats the hardcore maniacs. The 2 songs. The main synth lines label here straight out of Los tracks featured on the Ron D work well when not overly Angeles. This record is very Core side are ‘Fresh Bass’ extended. limited only 150 copies are and ‘F**k that shit!’ roughly -Knowitall pressed up of this kickin’ 240 bpm with loads of half piece of wax. Featured time hip hop beats , tons of artists on this E.P. are cuss words and loads of The Stunned Guys & DJ Abelcain, Eiterherd and local scratching going on. I’m sure Paul feat. Mc Ruffian artist P2P. I’m really you won’t be disappointed. “Hardcore Takin’ Over” impressed with the sound -Ron D. Core Traxtorm / Italy quality on this first release A 10-inch diddy with only for this label. All the tracks Traffik one track on a single side. are hard as fuck and pissed The Garden Of Flesh The song is largely dominat- off, very similar to the Epileptik (EPK011) ed by two alternating main Ambush label style. This is What a freakin’ killer hard- synth lines and a pounding definitely a record not to be core release this is. I always classic hardcore bass kick, missed, it includes 5 tracks look forward to any new except at about the half way of pure electronic mayhem releases from Nat AKA: point when an eerie piano this is not recommended for Traffik, this is one of my does the trick nicely. The the happy side of hardcore. favorites at the moment a vocal is numerous and pretty Don’t sleep on this one or real strong banger with great clear with minimal effects. you’ll be sorry! production. 4 tracks total The main title phrase is -Ron D. Core and all of them are playable. aggressively repeated over a Nice combination of large portion of the song Geoff Da Chef vs. mechanical breakbeats , with a somewhat subtle Ron D Core punchy compressed kick- European accent. Sydney cunts meets the drums, very dark and sinis- -Knowitall West Coast Pervert’ ter. Great release for this Atomic Hardcore label as always, industrial DJ Buzz Fuzz Recordings (AR006) hardcore at it’s finest. One “Destruction EP Vol. 3” I normally don’t review my more bit of information, look BZRK / Holland own shit but I have to for the out for a Traffik release on 3-tracks from this ID&T origi- killer Geoff Da Cheff side of the Atomic Hardcore nal see daylight on this the this long awaited release. Recordings label in the next 29th release on BZRK. The The dub-plates are com- few months. songs compliment each pletely toasted and now this -Ron D. Core other nicely with good use of record is finally coming out. various samples. A good First off I would like to say DJ Self number of the synth and that Mr. Cheff has out done “Back with the Hardcore” vocal sounds you will no himself on the Sydney Cunts HCB / Spain doubt recognize from previ- side of the picture disc. The Three of the four tracks feel ous hardcore releases. In first and most powerful track more like hardhouse then fact, you might even recog- on this side is “Sledge newstyle hardcore. A bit nize some programming Hammer’ a mother f**king clubby sounding with per- from commercial and hard- stomper with properly dis- haps not enough oomph to core tracks from days past. torted kicks and a dope old be widely accepted as 100% 3 solid new tracks with defi- school hip hop loop lifted hardcore. The sound of the nite resemblance to previous from (Nasty Rox, Inc.) this bass kick is for the most material from both Buzzy track is by far Geoff’s best part of the harder edge and others. work yet! The 2nd track is househouse variety. Which -Knowitall just as slammin’ excellent by the way the vocal won’t DEATHCHANT label profile by Ron D. Core

Representing the U.K. hardcore scene and times over looks. Artists featured on the well known throughout the worldwide hard- Deathchant imprint include DJ Producer, core techno community since1997. Hellfish, Diplomat, Dolphin, Tox, Deathchant has become a solid contender Technological Terror Crew and many oth- in the hardcore arena and has been put- ers. The two most prolific artists on ting out quality releases one after another Deathchant are DJ Producer and Hellfish, with over 30 12" releases up to date, 2 they make up roughly half of all the cata- compact discs and also a battle record. logue releases up to date, the infamous The unique blending of Old School Hip-Hip duo have produced some of the best hard- loops and vocal samples and scratches core coming out of the U.K. The combined with Deathchant Drum n Bass sound has made beats and bass- a definite impact lines gives in the U.S. hard- Deathchant their core scene along sound. with the likes of Production and Atomic Hardcore sound quality of Recordings, each and every Industrial Deathchant Strength and release is loud Bloody Fist. and crisp, which is something hardcore some- CHARGED! UK Hard House/Nu-NRG Ꮨ Column by DJ Ganesh

Welcome to the first installment of seriously interesting for all of us involved... Freebass’ UK Hard House/NRG column, and now on with the show.... Charged. Let me start off by giving you a lit- This month’s focus is on the Los Angeles tle info on myself and a brief history scene. Since Freebass is pub- of the genre. As far as Hard House lished in L.A. I thought it only right and NRG go I was one of the first to give you an idea of what the DJs in the US to really embrace the scene is like out here. The NRG sound. It’s been a labor of love due scene out here while still small is primarily to the fact that since no growing all the time with new pro- one else was playing it, it was diffi- moters adding UK hard house and cult to convince promoters to book dj ganesh NRG to their line ups and even me. L.A. is finally starting to develop its bringing out some truly inspiring UK talent. taste for it now and is now catching up with Most recently, L.A.’s own Nu-NRG Ent. invit- some of the other scenes around the ed Chris C and Madam Zu, last Dec., world. I’ve been DJing since I bought as part of the Mohawk Records world my first records in the later part of ‘93, tour. Promoting the release of “Run financed my first turntable in ‘94, and Amok”, Mohawk’s1st compilation started actually getting paid to spin in album, Chris and Madam Zu threw ‘95. I’ve gone though several styles down with what was absolutely some of along the way but whatever I was play- the highest energy sets that Los ing at the time was what I considered to tony Angeles has seen. The Mohawk tour be the most interesting, innovative and, de vit was the follow up event to Nu-NRG above all, the least cheesy aspects of Ent.’s earlier production that saw the the particular genre. first U.S. appearance of both Arriba records UK hard house and Nu-NRG, to those that founders, Baby Doc and S-J performing don’t already know, is not some karim, baby doc, live, and the hard hitting NRG of DJ new genre that everyone is just &SJ Karim. I was fortunate enough be now getting hip to. It’s been around able to play along side all of these for years in some form or another. supremely talented individuals at Tony DeVit, Baby Doc and Blu both events. Peter were all early pioneers of the Los Angeles’ own Ron D. Core sound. Along with some of the has, (featured this issue), in what scene’s newer more visible icons seems to be a growing trend like Fergie, Pants and Corset, and BK, The around the world, found himself dropping combined styles of Hard House/NRG cover a NRG with more and more frequency. Just huge variety of music from intense, hard hit- like fellow Hardcore DJs like Billy “Daniel” ting, peak time, hoover cuts sj Bunter, Vinlygroover, and Jon (“hoovers” are that sound that Doe, were all very established DJs Human Resource made popular and producers in the Hardcore with “Dominator” and Commander scene for years, have now became Tom almost single handedly some of Hard House/NRG’s most brought back with “Are Am Eye”) to prolific and innovative contributors. offbeat, bouncy, housey bass lines So there you have it. Los Angeles and shuffle beats. Cheeky vocal may not be London, but we’re try- samples and old skool techno samples ing. In the months to come I’ll be covering galore are also hallmarks of the sound. All in the global arena alongside the growing U.S. all it’s got just about everything a growing scenes to try and spread some awareness of raver needs...hard beats, rump shaker shuf- this genre. So sit back and finish reading fles, and gobs of bass. and maybe you’ll learn something you didn’t This column will be a work in progress and know about Los Angeles’ newest convert what this will turn into is anybody’s guess. Ron D. Core So, let’s hope, this is the start of something 12” Hard House Nu-NRG Reviews Class of 2000 Pt. 1 Rubec Easy Access Billy “Daniel” Bunter & Concentration Stormer/Here We Go Justin Bourne – “Rock that Hardtrax (UK) Kained Body” Rubec, slams down yet anoth- “Stormer” may be giving it a Eufex – “Jump up People” er mental NRG release on the little too much credit. Clanky Honey Pot Hard (UK) always bangin’ Hardtrax. and quirky is the order of the “UNAHAMED, FOR THE Both mixes serve up serious day on Kained’s 5th release. HARDER FLOORS!” Is how dance floor mayhem With the With the familiar “You just look Billy describes this pair of A-side being the more innova- over your shoulder, ‘cause EPs. Hard kicks and pumping tive of the two, using more from now on I’m gonna be bass in the usual style but it’s tweeky, bleepy, kind of sound right behind ya.”, sample, the the hoovers that innovate. and having that almost techno A side is full of organ stabs Like an epileptic juno under feel to it. The B-side is your and full of hoovers. Tumbling water it lashes out and keeps standard hoover affair, solid, if bass rolls though “Here We it going. Standard build, to an not exactly, groundbreaking. Go” and sets the mood along effective payoff. Eufex checks The two versions are so differ- with scratchy distorted stabs in on the flip with a decent ent that it’s practically an EP, and high pitch hoovers. effort. Nice production and definitely worth the dosh. -Ganesh samples but not really doing it -Ganesh for me this time around. The Kev Wild energy just isn’t really there. Killerbounce Sleepwalkers/Beats and -Ganesh Thunder ball Bass Pump Records (UK) Red Records Class of 2000 Pt. 2 3 mixes of this track originally The Red Records imprint Stimulant DJs on overly cheesy, EDM keeps up with the Joneses Let it Move You records, should be enuff to with its newest outing. Roosta & Dynamic satisfy anyone with a healthy “Sleepwalkers” is a decent Intervention taste for pumping NRG bass, NRG cut that tweaks the 303s The New Style rapid fire vocal samples, and and along with the rest, can’t Honey Pot Hard (UK) you guessed it, hoovers. leave the hoover alone. Not Part 2 of The class of 2001EP. Head straight for the A side, if exactly innovative but useful From the Stimulants; solid you’re strictly for the hard and it may find it’s audience. NRG in the style they do best! floors. The flip gives you more The flip is the more commer- Dark old skool break down of a clubby vibe and slows it cial style that Red seems to with a groovy breakbeat kick down a bit on the inside cut. have a penchant for. Cheesey and crowd cheers and tight Already showing up on several synths and vocals abound. It acid stabs. On the flip, of the UK charts. starts out well enough then Dynamic Intervention and -Ganesh descends rapidly in to the Roosta join forces to rock the depths of fromage. house right and bang it out Charlotte Birch -Ganesh with feeling. Following in n the Gladiator/Itchy & Scratchy same vein as the A side, again Bullet Proof Injector 2 with the cheering and the Man oh man, what a woman! Remodelled same gritty feel. Ultra-slamming, hoover-heavy, Efadrine (UK) -Ganesh door blowing NRG! Double “Remodelled” is more like time bass notes, T-99 sam- rehashed. The A side is pret- Acid Ted ples, and wound up hoovers ty basic 909, acid NRG, noth- “21st Century Acid” drive this monster of a toon. ing groundbreaking here. The Acid Test (UK) Complete with Mr. Crowe cue- sample in this tune: “Bet you While the early Acid Tests ing the payoff. Check the flip can’t do that again.”, appar- made it in my bag, the more for quirky, offbeat, bounce that ently, is not expecting you to recent slabs on the other will have them grinning from take it seriously. Because hand, are once again making ear to ear. “If you haven’t when you hear the B side… me a believer in the power of danced yet, what the fuck did Completely lifting the break- the 303 to drive a track. Mixed you come for!?” I couldn’t down from “Are Am Eye” and with the whump and thump of agree more. Both cuts are running it through a filter. If the hard house sound, similar fantastic and deserve serious formulaic, acidic NRG is your to labels like Cannon, but on deck time. bag then this might be for you. the deeper tip with fuller kicks -Ganesh -Ganesh and warbling bass. With just a sprinkling of hoover, Ted’s new 2 tracker delivers the goods. -Ganesh Sebanelli Dirty Talk/Hard Kandy Mohawk (UK) This I like! Dirty, gritty, and grinding! Fairly run of the mill kick and hats but the stabs and synth lines get me going. Just right for that 4am feel, when you need to get funky. Worth every penny! The flip is of the same high quality but with a tranceier feel combined with a nice hard house sound. Similar grit fac- tor on the stabs until the then all bets are off, another keeper from Mohawk. -Ganesh

Christiaan One Love EP Shock (UK) This tune is a bit of a mess. Typical off- beat b-line and hoover stabs, but the vocal bits… Less of these would be appreciated. There’s way too many and they just don’t seem to fit. Shock calls it “Seriously kickin’ club music”, maybe I’m going to different clubs than they do. The flip, “Into You” runs in to the same problem. Carnival style hard house that may do it for you, but not for my money. -Ganesh Trance in America, as Lustral - -Everytime and well as overseas, has been Energy 52 - Cafe Del Mar, going through major trans- is now putting out deep fornation leaving all the techy minimalist work. tried and true styles and Releases like Halo Varga - methods obselete. Future!, Sharam Jey and Innovative methods of Nick K (also known as combining genres have 16C+) - Don’t Lie, and taken the mainstage and Parks and Wilson - Feel the results are incredible. the Drums E.P., are deep, In their extremes, house, dark, drummy numbers that trance, breaks, and techno are taking the trance rule their own but, it’s the sound to new depths. gray area where things are Plastic Fantastic, a UK getting interesting. New label that has been around skool progressive trance forever is also picking up labels such as Sunkissed the trend. Releases like and Sumsonic are incorpo- Future Acoustics - Absynth rating sick basslines that and Francesco Farfa meets are usually characteristic the Pleasure Team - The of deep house. Other Search are both much labels like Distinctive more progressive and fil- Breaks and Green tered down than previous Recordings are offering a r eleases. Not to mention twist on breaks that trance Plastic Fantastics’ off- DJs are eating up. On the shoot label Plastica, which techy side of trance we is being caned by every- are seeing tons of quality one and their mother for work from Timo Maas and its sick bassline and tribal Oliver Lieb. It isn’t all beats. just adoption of new Trance used to be such sounds and elements that an emotional, extreme is infiltrating the genre. sound. Now, producers are Most progressive DJs bringing it down a notch probably have as much and being much more Yoshitoshi in their bin as methodical about the con- they do ChooChoo or struction of their tracks. Rhythm Syndicate. So Psychedelic Trance was where did all of this start? once strictly a hard, Weren’t we all just into aggressive, drummy, full of that pure cyber sound weird noises type of offered to us by the likes r elease. Now artists such of DanEFX (a super dope as Graeme L. from Red DJ by the way....if you N’Raw are bringing you haven’t seen him, check it slower, more subdued out)? The biggest names sounds. With tracks such in our genre are taking us as ‘Emerald’, ‘Firefly’, on a roller coaster ride ‘Slider’, and ‘Mama Said’, with Barbarella through new territory. a much more thoughtful Sasha and Digweed have sound demands it’s listen- brought us this crossover ers to really listen, shift- feel since the early Global ing the party atmosphere Underground releases and and focus back to the it’s spreading. Most of the music. Now, I think we Global Underground guys, can all agree that in the such as Nick Warren, Dave last several years, the Seaman, etc, have adopted emphasis at parties has this style. But now, trance definitely strayed from the DJs do not need to go way music.... (I think I’ll leave off the beaten path to find that one alone for today). it. Major old skool pro- Flying Rhino has been ducers/labels as well as a around since day one and whole slew of newies are their music is also pro- putting out this sound in a gressing to this new hurry. HoojChoons, a label sound. Other psychedelic which has traditionally labels like Naja and in Trance brought us tracks like [continued next page.] 1st Release “The Test of Time” DJ Stompy (Original mix)

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3149 Glendale Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90039 (323) 660-2121 what’s around thecorner. wait ineager anticipationfor the progressive genre, Ican only next week.It’s abeautifuldayfor prior, andmore anticipationfor work, more innovationthanthe bringing more andmore amazing Heaven Scent. trance anthemssuchasBedrock - Sinners -Pushin’Too Hard, to enced trackssuchasSaintsand Austin Leeds,more house-influ- experimental artistssuchas ducing everythingfrom abstract, made bythislabel.Theyare intro- Wo himself: JohnDigweed,Bedrock. them allrightnow, ledbytheman musn’t forgetthehardest hitterof new labelsoutthere. Nowwe (Chab) are onlyafewofthedope and Aisher),Undercurrent label), PlayerOne(Brancaccio W R.I.P., Mode(Marc Auerbach), Polyester (IanWilkie),Fire (Cass), haven’t missedoneyet).Baroque, their sub-labelMechanism(I funkier sideofprogressive with incredible andtheyalsohitupthe Sumsonic’s firstsixreleases are deep progressive sound. labels alsohitthetargetwith they hitthewalls.Smaller, newer Fantastic are gonebythetime mentioned HoojChoonsandPlastic tive music.Labelsliketheabove some ofthehottest,mostinnova- counterparts continuetoputout parts. competing withtheirUKcounter- the industryandhavenoproblem out someofthefreshest soundsin sub-label Stimuli;allare putting Hamel), aswellCaffeine andits and it’s sisterlabelTeknology (Bill Fade (ChrisFortier),Sunkissed M.F.D.D.A.P. (AndyHughes’label), now fordomestictrance. Florida istheplacetoberight which makesawallethappy. bits, andsomeofitisdomestic, progressive ismultiplyinglikerab- tion. Thedrummy, tribalaspectof the mostchangeanddiversifica- DJs. the dismayofmanypsychedelic formula andtoneitdown,muchto tothestandardto return 32beat T ransient are also starting allop (CapitalHeaven’s sub- r ds don’t describetheprogress Each weekofnewreleases is Don’t getmewrong, theirUK Progressive trancehasseen Questions ?, Comments?, [email protected] Ideas?, emailme at: 12” Trance Reviews Jazz/Electronic energy of the other side but D.A.V.E. The Drummer Substructure the top is opened up by fil- Dig Your Own Grave E.P. Mechanism (UK) tered, echoing vocal stabs. Smitten (smt46) Jazz - A methodical tension Totally pro. 4 tracks on a 2x12 featuring an builder. The drum kit has hol- -Barbarella odd picture of an old naked low, echoey elements and an guy digging for buried treasure electric purr. A hard groove Cass or perhaps in this case a bassline contrasts the filtered, Cerebral Noodles EP ‘slammin’ hard, acid techno broken down acidline on top. Fire (UK) pack’. Don’t let the cover dis- Crisp claps and an airy atmos- hmmm... Cass.... Fire.... EP.... courage you because you’re in pheric overtone usher in the okay, there is no way I can do for a techno treat. All 4 tracks break which is a dope reprise this EP justice with the space shred, but my personal of percussive elements. The specified for a review. Go lis- favorite cut is ‘We Aren’t The track rolls back in nicely. ten to it. Do not delay. This Robots’ this is a great combi- Great track for riding around in will be gone fast. Dope dope nation of hard acid meets ban- your space cruiser. Do not dope progressive from one of gin’ techno. Solid production miss this one. Electronic - ah, the hottest labels out right as always from the Drummer, more space cruiser dopeness. now. excellent use of compresion A killer first release for -Barbarella on the kick drums and crispy Sumsonic’s offshoot label. claps to round off an insane Word. Going right in the bin.... Russenmafia set. -Barbarella Alarm’ Pulse -Ron D. Core Pulse 035 Marc Auerbach Dope release for the Pulse Espionage Muke (Original and Twister label, straight up thumping A Revelation Remix) hard trance. Alarm, the main Rosenberg (sol010t) Mode (UK) track on this slab of wax kicks This is usually not the style of Original - Another dope, driv- ass! Nice usage of a ‘military music I play or review, but this ing, in-your-face progressive style’ alarm, very powerful freakin’ record is an exception. release from Mode. Tight sounding throughout the This is a well laid out and crisp drum elements. The entire song. The beats hit hard orchestrated piece goodness vocal is a beautifully done as the alarm sounds are with tight production and female chant - don’t think played and stuttered making loads of tweaky little sounds. cheese - it’s not. A whole lot this tune kick! The flip side is This record and all of the earli- of old skool elements are put just as powerful, a bit of the er Rosenberg releases are together resulting in a really same hard drum kicks, but this similar to the OD404 sound new sound. A sick bassline time it’s joined with nice 303’s minus the NU NRG edge. This kicks in after the break and the and a more melodic break- record should appeal to a vocal returns to fill out the top. down. Definitely check out the large variety DJ’s it is a kickin’ The break down is contructed other Russenmafia release progressive jam with loads of so not a lot of momentum is entitled ‘Go!’ also on the Pulse funky elements and tweaked lost. Twister Remix - This side label. out acid stabs. This is an all is a little more on the acid tip. -Ron D. Core around winner I strongly rec- Just as dope as the original. ommend this twelver. Tough to choose. Sarcoblast vs. Immersion -Ron D. Core -Barbarella Get Yer Kit Off Routemaster (Route38) Opaqu Blackwatch Hard and serious acid techno Tech Run E.P. Skindeep here, this is one heck of a 12". Flash Traxx (FLA-019) Teknology (UK) The first cut ‘Get Yer Kit Off’ is What a cool record this is and Yay for domestics. a well produced tribal techno I can’t believe it’s domestic. I Sunkissed’s sister label goodie with different layers of rarely pick up domestic titles ‘Teknology’ releases another beats coming in and out of the to play out, but this one rocks kick-ass progressive stomper. track and a cool analogue big time. This 12" can almost A tight drum kit compliments a sounding synth pattern to give be considered hardcore tech- throbbing bassline. Cool it a more serious edge. The flip no the only thing preventing whipping sounds and tomtom is not to be missed ‘Late that from happening is the drums top it out. Sweeping Again’ is a killer straight for- bpm rate. I love the track atmospheric overtones usher ward pounder and is sure to ‘Speaker Fuck’ it’s got hard in the break. The deliverance rattle some brain cells. kick drum and cool eerie hits the spot, it builds again -Ron D. Core sounds, very dark and angry through to another peak, and with loads of porno sounds to into the breakdown. Word. round out this song. This is a Definitely a keeper. The flip quality record from the Strictly side is much more on the light Hype people. tip. It has all the drive and -Ron D. Core Chab Antarctica Q-Lock ‘Tunnelling / The Sinus’ Illusion - Mara’s Phonic- Minimal Thoughts - Mark Plastic Fantastic (UK) Monkey Mix Shimmon vs. 3rd Degree Deep, dark progressive React (UK) Remix trance. Filtered airy mids and Mysterious and deep progres- Deep (UK) a warm rolling bassline give it sive trance. Synthy lows and A cool clicky drum kit with a humming, organic quality. stabs frame a melody that dope psychedelicish sounds The minimal drum kit serves sounds like a guitar or plucked make up a long, dj-friendly up a ‘less is definitely more’ violin. Characteristic Mara intro. Dumping into a dope driving progressive trance production: totally pro. Great bass line, chuggy mid synths gem. The flip side is harder for the trancehead that does- and space sounds build ten- and crunchier with cool mini- n’t dig the typical crazy epic sion. Bleeps and bloops mal vocal stabs. An eerie synth madness. Cool vocal frame a few vocal snippets melody kicks in almost half dubs during the break lead to and the track kicks in a filtered way through - a really stripped a great build without all the acid line on top. It has an old down acid line over a dark, unnecessary drum rolls. Low skool feel to it. It probably simple, low synth. It adds a drums enter first, followed by wouldn’t have made the cut nice metallic texture. Vocal the highs and bleepy space for ‘Acid Warfare’, but the stabs kick back in for the sounds. Lastly the melodic track is definitely up that alley. break, which delivers nicely, elements return. Quality. -Barbarella adding a slew of trippy sounds Trancey but è not too trancey. as the wrap up grumbles and Perfect. Shakta growls along. -Barbarella Questions -Barbarella Dragonfly (UK) Futurecast Word. That’s what I’m talkin’ Northface Life on Edge about. DOPE bassline. Sick Commando Roll Pod (UK) metallic percussion elements Pied Piper (UK) Slick drum kit with slides and and a slammin’ drumkit. A The Info Side has a dope tribal elements frame cool fil- broken down acid line that bassline and a ‘Bush’esque tered racecar sounds and a sounds like it’s sliding around drum kit. Staccato mids crawl tough minimal synth line. An in the tub.... sticky synths and through the entirety of the airy top melody quietly builds mean drum sequences... track. Half beat highs add an from mid track through the sharp pops, whips, claps, and industrial element, opening up break, which delivers nicely the perfect amount of atmos- the top and creating a nice into a combination of the pheric backdrop. Filtered contrast from the funky tough minimal synth and voices bring in the break, tak- bassline. Airy effects and a melancholy soft highs. A dope ing a melancholy turn. A shift- barely audible vocal stab enter drum section is followed by a ing bassline and claps usher for the break. Deliverance reprise of the top melody and the build to a break. A reprise yields a light melody line. The a breakdown from there. of the sticky synths and bath- breakdown introduces a new Word. Methodical. Great ele- tub acid tie it all together with hard-edged bass line allowing ments. I dig. muted, filtered vocals, more options to the dj on the -Barbarella sweeps, and an intricate drum out. Each new element initial- kit. Right on! ly feels like a left.... but they all Divider -Barbarella add up to a right. Stereo Rides -Barbarella Player One (UK) Basscamp Infoside: Dope drums build a Intensions - Piece Process BlackWatch tribal feel. The bass line feels Remix Skin Deep like an aboriginal hum. Crazy Pod (UK) Teknology (US) killer bee sounds in the break Dark and drummy progressive Nice tribal drum kit, warm and are complemented with trance. It has a cool tribal organic... Galloping bass, locusts, pissed crickets, weird drum kit with tight snares. The whipped claps, and catch hollow drum sounds and a fat highs are contoured by steps compliment crisp bass line escorts in the deliv- sweeping atmospheric over- snares, high hats, cool ery. Soft whispered chanting tones. Eerie, assertive, and scratching sounds, and stac- and airy overtones fill the top. dark filtered fog horns oppose cato vocal stabs. The con- Right on. Logoside: An indus- a growling bassline. stant synth note creates a trial drum kit, sucking and slid- Beautifully produced and well thoughtful feeling. The ing sounds, and a nineinch- constructed as a tension breakdown brings back the nails-esque whispered chant builder. A simple m elody warm, organic bass, and tribal echos through the opening late in the game is a great plat- kit. Nice progression. break. The bassline isn’t what form to mix from. Definitely a movement through you would expect. Steeldrum -Barbarella different emotional states. elements are added and a grit- The flipside has a much more ty industrial whine carries into techy drumkit with a couple of the break. Delivers nicely. cool videogame bleeps. -Barbarella -Barbarella

Blakstone Threesome and a head filling bassline One Thing - Original Mix Mohave/Gobi underscore several chanting Vapour Recordings (UK) In Trance We voices. Their constant drone The track has a soft melan- Trust/Blackhole, Holland will surely take you else- choly feel characterized by a “Mojave” is a mystic, yet pow- where. You could really med- hollow wood drum kit. erfully soothing Trance single itate to this one. This solid Occasional airy voices drop that propels the listener on its release from Platipus off- into a somewhat psychedelic own 7-minute journey. “Gobi” shoot label is getting mad sounding bassline with soft packs more of an NRG punch, props from Sasha, Digweed, claps and minimal synth puls- with greater urgency and pos- and the like. ing. Squeaky porch swing sible dance floor appeal. Both -Barbarella sounds bring in and usher out tracks are equally likely to the break, which has elements stimulate as well as inspire Murph of drums and reed flutes. The while not sounding formulaic Dark Sympathy - Planet deliverance focuses the ener- in any sense. Heaven Remix gy forward as if back on a mis- -Desert Outlaw Helix Music (UK) sion from a contemplative Deep rounded bassline, rem- interlude. The breakdown Lost Witness iniscent of older Rhythm strips the track of its elements Red Sun Rising Syndicate tracks, is opposed down to a beat, a few vocal Insolent/Sound of Ministry, by a single female vocal. stabs, and some filtered metal- Italy Her eerie melancholy lic squeaking sounds. “Red Sun Rising” is an utterly melody is underscored by -Barbarella incredible vocal trance num- trippy electric mids and low ber. Remixed by Lange, “Red chugging squalks. Shearing, Luigi Sun Rising” takes the listener metallic stabs reverberate, Jet Black - Steve Porter on a powerful tour of the mind bringing the diva back in. Remix and soul while equally positive Excellent for that driving Nothing Else Matters (USA) vocals provided by Tracey melancholy sound. Ahhh..... A dope drum kit with- Carmen and Nancy Collins dis- -Barbarella squeaks, handdrums, echoing play quality, not cheese. “Red slaps, and a sick, swelling Sun Rising” is a landmark in Phillip Charles bassline. Atmospheric sweeps vocal Trance. Elektrik Dreamer and a tick tock on top compli- -Desert Outlaw Deep C and Randall Jones ment grinding filtered mid Remix synths. Hollow pipe sounds Kamaya Painters Shaboom (UK) echo in the break. Stabby min- Wasteland b/w OK kids, this is a house imal synth lines drop in Summerbreeze label. So, don t go running through a quick breakbeat to a Blackhole, Holland off to pick up every 4/4. The bassline changes and Kamaya Painters is Dutch for Shaboom track without lis- adds a staccato element. The DJ Tiesto. “Wasteland” is both tening. This track is a dope, hollow pipe and stripped down dark and powerful. The origi- dark, minimal progressive synth return and it drops into nal version clocks in at 7min. driver. Different elements another break. Dope drums 38 seconds, and urges every are brought in slowly, Bolero slam the track back in with second to be played as dark style. Lots of wet sliding sliding deep bass and hard chord progressions give an whipbacks and grinding mids minimal synth stabs. From edgy, minimal quality to any mix. complements a dubbed out here it gradually breaks back -Desert Outlaw vocal stab. It s a great ten- down with cool drum elements sion builder. Don t skim for mixing. DJ Scotty and the through too fast -- you ll -Barbarella Tranceforce miss it. Dreamland -Barbarella Bio-Harmonizer Hexenhouse (Ger) Iceland “Dreamland” is a single whose Bang Skilled Records, Italy title lives up to the vibe it pro- Leave Me Alone Bio-Harmonizer is an incredi- duces - quality, melodic Trance Plastica (UK) bly simple, yet powerful that’s still hard-edged enough Full Vox Mix - oooh.. the Trance/Nu-NRG single. A to not feel embarrassed of lis- drum kit on this is sick. sample opens up the trance tening to. A biting, minimal There are some seriously side with an Engineer making a intro leads to a lush break- dope filtered vocal stabs sales pitch for a machine fea- down, and an inviting buildup floating around with grinding turing, “Speckle Enhancers, keeps the single moving along low mids and very electric Master Compression” remind- nicely. sounding highs. Awesome ing you of “Back To The -Desert Outlaw driving energy. Definitely Future” - very spacey, yet very, check this one out. Bang very danceable. The flip-side Groovaholic Dub - This side has a much features a breakbeat mix that Nepal - Praha Remix more tribal, earthy sounding falls short of equaling the A- Gekko (UK) drum kit. Has a much more side, but is still entertaining. This track definitely earned methodical and determined -Desert Outlaw it s classification as a trance feel to it. Very Smooth. track. A warm, crisp drum kit -Barbarella

Greetings and salutations to What’s up, this is the one and only DJ W writing to you both the readers, and my fellow via the new Freebass magazine. I am incredibly excited staff at FREEBASS! I'm honored to be fusing two of my passions together: music and writ- to take on the Drum and Bass ing. Some of you may know me already as the drum and realm of this magazine. I hope bass resident from LA’s old school to both entertain and educate Magic Wednesdays or Fun Haus or those interested in this cutting- from many other one-off events that I edge form of music, our have dropped beats at over the past beloved Drum and Bass. We few years. Whatever the case, I hope are set to interview the top- people understand my involvement in notch DJs, producers, and the drum and bass scene, and I am other artists in the game. We'll very happy to be expanding my hori- also be bringing you a detailed zons with the aid of Freebass. label profile of either import or For quite some time, I’ve been bug- domestic origin, and of course gingDJ Mike Fix for Wthe opportunity to the ever-reliable CD/12" write for his publication, and finally, it reviews, (we'll throw some dub has come to pass. Though Mr. Fix plates in the mix, no doubt). My expects many articles to be con- partner DJ W and I are old spir- ceived, written, and turned in within a its, yet we are a voice of new five day time period, the first issue you hold now has been information and opinion set upon prepared with the utmost care, despite our incredible time bringing quality coverage to the restraints. ever-powerful printed page. Shout I am fortunate enough to be working with good friend outs to all, be it the fans, or the and fellow DJ, SDF-1<< and we have a lot of interviews, fellow DJ/Artists! columns, reviews and profiles lined-up for your future For the past several years, I benefit. We are really trying to present a down to earth have been on the DJ/Production forum for d&b, and we have some views that haven’t real- scene in Losthe Angeles, helping to junglists:ly been expressed before. One outlook on record reviews, establish the d and b world on the for instance, tends to be rather unique: we won’t really be West-coast. I'm really into the bagging on anyone’s shit. I mean, if there’s a track out music, both there that I don’t particularly like, why would I take Djing and cre- the time to even mention it in the limited space ating it for the allotted our section? Plus, bad press is still press, masses. The and that’s like giving something weak free press. most impor- As if that weren’t enough, being a DJ and striking tant goal is down others’ work is pretty fucking whack. As a furthering the musician, I know the one thing that it takes is per- movement as sistence. What you do today may not live up to a whole. I whatcolumn you do tomorrow, but you have to keep going. have been Alright, enough pep talk, here’s some things that caught Djing junglists should look forward to in the month of for the 'headz' March…Nationally, be on the lookout for the almost every Reprazent Tour, which hit L.A. March 1st and tours weekend, per- around the nation through the 22nd of March. forming for the local club/rave Though many dates have yet to be confirmed, there are scene on the regular basis, as well several U.K. artists hitting the U.S. tour scene this spring, as representing premier DJ skills including: Mickey Finn, L Double on the Flex for massive events such as: Recordings tour, True Playaz will be presenting Darren Insomniac (Funktion Club and Jay, and the Position Chrome Tour featuring a LIVE per- Together as One) Go Ventures formance from Panacea as well as a set from DJ Cativo. (Love Fest, and Electric Daisy Trouble on Vinyl is expanding their horizons with the Carnival) and B3/Cande introduction of a clothing line consisting of T-Shirts, (JuJubeats and How Sweet It Is). Hoodies, Jackets, DJ bags, as well as other goodies, The d and b scene is to be well offering heads the chance to have a new school ‘bling- represented in our magazine, a bling.’ vow I have taken as SDF1, in the Within the L.A. area, the Crime Scene camp is heating same tradition of my dedication to things up a bit. The new label is promising the release of the music that has become my Crime Scene 001 “Flatline” by the L.A. Crime Unit life‚ epicenter, and a walk of life (XXXL and Krush One) with a remix on the flip by none for us all. sdf1<< other than Loxy and Ink from Renegade Hardware. Check out the one and only Lookout for test pressings at WMC in Miami. original SDF1<< at: Also in L.A., check out Progress, the new Sunday night http://www.sdf1.djcentral.com weekly masterminded by Dj Don. The line-up in March includes: Hive and K2, Argon Recording artists Stratus and N-Man, Wally a.k.a. Pish Posh, as well as residents’ night with Alder and DJ W. Dylan & Loxy "Stereotype" cylon recordings dubplate Due for release on Cylon in the near future , this tune has been doing some serious damage on the dancefloors! It starts off with eerie strings and haunting sounds and builds to the break- down, when a nasty mentasm stab hits and the beats smack ya hard. This one rolls out in a kind of retro, 'No U Turn' vibe with some 2001 twists...... beware.... this is dangerous!! Digital "Ras 78" unknown label dubplate Digital has blown up in the last year and this track does not disapoint! The man goes back to his roots with a dub style lick. The intro looms in with a samurai break and some dirty subs, building to a ragga dub breakdown with vocals echoing into the distance. The drop is what Digital does best, with an angry rolling amen switching with the samurai break. This is a surefire winner and wait for the second drop...... oh gosh! Dylan & Ink "I cant wait" outreak dubplate?? The follow up to Myself and Dj Ink's monster- ous debut "Need You" that featured on Renegade Hardware, this track is on the same vibe with a nice retro female vocal building up to those damaging "need you" stabs! It then rolls DYLAN out with a nicely edited funky drummer break. A guarenteed DYLAN dancefloor killer and a proven winner with the ladies, this track shows that you can rock a party without the 'noise'! I think this style is gonna be onon big in 2001. Universal Project "Haunted Dreams" DYLAN.. universal project dubplate DYLAN.. "Universal Project" sees Keaton (Usual Suspects) teaming with Ruxxspin (the rewind master!). Judging from this track, they have a big future in the scene! The track kicks in with a funky .and drummer break, and after the break down a dirty old skool stab .and comes creeping in. Nothing gets you ready for the unbelievable drop...... and this track on a big system creates an onslaught that only the hardcore can survive! It incurred 4 rewinds at the otherother Renegade Hardware night, so ya know it's gonna be phat! Faith in Chaos "Possesion" dub outbreak dubplate dub Brand new project from myself featuring vocals from Robyn. This isn't your usual vocal track, Instead of the usual lovey- dovey sweet sounds, this tune rips apart the norm - seething plates. and punishings lyrics pushing the boundaries of sanity. This plates. combination of harsh beats and sick guitar with the vocal dementia creates a frenzy, plowing down any dancefloor! this will be available on two 12"s featuring my original mix,2 sinners breakbeat mix,kemal & rob data(aka konflict)mix and my amen mix, if your looking for something a bit different then check this!! 12” Jungle Drum’n’BassReviews Circuit Breaker Twisted Individual Hardcore, and Drum&Bass for Technology/Tron Crash Dummy / Claw complete dancefloor satisfac- Spektrum Audio - SPK007 Hammer tion! Gauranteed rewind! Letís talk about dark and Bacillus Records - BAC005 -SDF1<< nasty. A thorough illustration “Claw Hammer” starts of with of what you would call a quick scampering drums Pieter K/Stakka RMX slamminí twelve inch release. laced with a soothing vocal. Liqiufaction Letís start with “Technology.” It then forms a rolling wobbly Breakbeat Science US A deep, dark driller that bassline accompanied with Quality styles from Pieter K, a makeís you want to kick organs and short drum Frontrunner in American pro- someoneís ass on the dance- breaks. “Crash Dummy” is a duction Whose strand of floor. A sick aggressive com- little more on the hard and tracks have become Better bination of hard pounding running tip with soft crispa- and better Stakka from bass and tight amen breaks. menís and a bumpy bassline. Underfire Remixes this one, Letís not forget the ill stabs Add some eerie synths. A and basically steps it up With and teariní bassline. This soulful vocal sample and this the progressive running track is a totally different style tune is sure to keep the sound that the Guys from of tune than the B. “Tron,” on dancefloor movin. have certainly achieved! the other hand is a hard dark -DJ Rain Mesmerizing Synths, and runner, a clean and unique beats well intact, and on track style that gives you that new Pleasure ,ëLiquifactioní Appears on the age drum and bass sound. Faraway / Projections Breakbeat Science E.P. along Definitely a collectorís piece if Illusion Recordings - with the like of Future Cut, you pick up the dark sounds ILS002 Dara, Dune, and Decoder of drum and bass. Illusion Records is a new .smokin’! -DJ Rain label to hit the open market of -SDF1<< the drum and bass scene. Cylon Recordings - “Faraway” and “Projections+ Dylan and Loxy CYLON003 are the latest releases on this Evolution/Temple of Doom Evolution / The Temple (Of label. This record has a new Cylon Records (#3) / UK Doom) clean, soulful sound. It’s Coming to you form the Cylon003 is another fine addi- nice smooth with a wide depths of the drummin’ bass- tion to the new label Cylon range of big sounds not too ment, Dylan and Loxy present Recordings. This label has hard and not too soft. It’s just a record of true steppin three releases that are banginí right if you know what I mean. beats. “Evolution” drives like one right after another: a This track has a nice atomos- a well-oiled machine with a great beginning for this new pheric sound for some easy hard-step beat over a rolling, label a definite label to be on listening. I hove to give it up bouncy bass line. Chuck D’s the lookout for it in the future. for the clean sound and the classic words accent the I hope to see more releases bass. This is a well-produced break down just before the by Dylan and Loxy. Keep up track. verse slams in with “Hear the the good work. (“Tight shit!!”) -DJ Rain drummer get wicked!” Big Ups to the future of music J MAJIK The flip side is even sicker. and donít let nothing hold us Lizard “Temple of Doom” is a floor- down yo. Nothing can stop Infrared, UK killing mash-up featuring an sound and the way of the J Majik returns to his label to almost old-school hard-step- future. Express yourself any release a stormin’ track, that’s pin beat layered with powerful way you can. To all the pro- definitley set to rip up dance amens. The track progresses ducers out there keep doing floors worldwide. The ‘Lizard’ heavily, calling out the your thang the battle will as it’s entitled begins and bassline with, “Let the bass never end. Help drum and builds all the way up, filtering go!” After introducing the bass locked on. in the famous loop from the heavy, yet bouncy bass line, -DJ Rain old school classic ‘Vamp’ the track quickly drops out to from Outlander The Lizard open the floor up, and then then breaks into its lashing introduces Ray Keith style bassline, and running beats, stabs that promise to leave along with classy piano fills to the floor quivering like a porn round out Another ruling hit star’s pussy. that combines the old school -D. Warga John B Up All Night Metalheadz / UK John B does it again with “Up All Night,” a track that formulates the proper equa- tion for ill drum and bass: hard beats + female vocals + techno stabs = RINSE OUT! Sliding in with a deceptively mel- low vibe, the initial break down meshes 303 sounds with the vocal hook, “Hold me tight, don’t ever let me go! Up all night, I cried for you.” Insane piano stabs follow, then the track slams you with a beat and bass line that would make the gods of thunder jealous. -D. Warga

Total Science “Tuned In” LP Sampler CIA Recordings / UK Q Project and Spinback have been on a roll as of late. “Freeze” is similar in style to “Street Level” on their Renegade Hardware EP, but I must say I like this one better. The breakdown introduces huge stabs with incredible force, and a complete roller ensues. Innovative song structure and excellent sonic quality make this a must-have record. As for “Latest Request,” Digital decided to marry the sounds of “Snapshot” and “Warhead,” with questionable results. -Origin

RAM Trilogy / Ed Rush and Optical Evolution / Mindscan (Repress) RAM Recordings / UK Although the LP was not a critical suc- cess, the release preceding it was a smash hit in record stores and on dance floors. “Evolution” featured one of the first “New Style” purpose-recorded vocals in a drum and bass track. It was unheard of at the time to actually record vocals for a tech-step tune. The lyric, “Things are gonna change” was seam- lessly melded with RAM Trilogy’s run- ning brand of d and b. “Mindscan” was Ed Rush and Optical’s take on two different RAM releases (Scanners and Mind Overload). When people first heard this track, they weren’t quite sure what to do with it: It didn’t really have typical drum and bass structure, it progressed like a Techno tune: changing over time. These two have always been known for pushing the conventional song structure bound- aries, and they stayed true-to-form with this runner. -Origin Sonic Groove - New York Ganesh charts Top Techno Tunes Los Angeles 01. Frankie Bones - Dirty Filthy Animal Crackers (Blueline) 01. Sebanelli - “Dirty Talk” (Mohawk) 02. DJ Zank - Pedanians EP (U7 DJ Toolz, Japan) 02. Rubec - “Concentration” (Hard Trax) 03. Reade Truth - Warpath (Path, USA) 03. Charlotte Birch - “Itchy & Scratchy” (Bullet Proof) 04. DJ Shufflemaster - Shinjuku Mad (Disq, Japan) 04. Killer Bounce - “Thunderball” (Pump) 05. XXX - The Mantis EP (D Records, USA) 05. Stimulant DJs - “Let It Move You” (Honey Pot Hard) 06. Kollektiv EP - Bpitch Control, Germany) 06. Lisa Pin-Up - “Baddest Mutha” {BK & Sentience rmx} (Nukleuz) 07. Boards of Canada - In a Beautiful Place (Warp, UK) 07. A Project - “The Fantasy” (Honey Pot) 08. Frankie Bones - America in Black & White EP (Bellboy, UK) 08. Dymanic Intervention & Pranksterz - “Angels Charlie” (Dip) 09. Carola & Izzo - Ante (Zenit, Italy) 09. Dean Facer - “Boys Like U” {One Eyed Trouser Snake mix} (Smokin) 10. Cajmere - Percolator 2000 (F-111, USA) 10. Digital Silence - “Psychopath” (Aztec)

Beat Non Stop Thee-o Top Ten Trance Los Angeles, CA 01. Saints and Sinners - Pushing Too Hard - Sounds Good 01. Futureshock - Questions - Fuju 02. Musac - Trisco - VA 02. Starecase - Hopeless - Hope 03. Thomas Penton - Lost Soul - Fade 03. Reflective - Echoes (Origin Remix) - 3Beat 04. Sasha/Darren Emerson - Scorchio - Promo 04. Bang - Leave Me Alone - Plastica 05. Parks and Wilson - Feel the Drums (disc 2) - Hooj Choons 05. Rouge - Jingalay (Praha Remix) - Gekko 06. Parks and Wilson - Feel the Drums (disc 1) - Hooj Choons 06. Delerium - Innocente (Deep Dish/Tiesto Remixes) - Nettwerk 07. BT - Never Gonna Come Back Down (Tino Maas Hybrid) - Nettwerk 07. Knightsgroove - The First - Steelyard 08. BT - Believer - white 08. Stalker - Mantra - Rotunda 09. Michael Thomas - Condemation - eve 09. Zenith - Swarm - Pacifica 10. Ritmo - perfected technik - Fluid 10. Bitwise - Odalisque - (Thee-o & Tony Gamboa Remix) (Acetate)

Dj Override Alia Dublin Seattle, WA 1.Justin Bourne - Strapped In(Recharge) 01. joshua ryan - pistolwhip (james holden remix - nulife 2.Roosta and DIP - New Style(Honeypot Hard) 02. the orb - once more (bedrock edit 2) 3.Karim - Special Brew(Tinrib) 03. run baby run - white lable 4.TNT - Shaken and Stirred(Titchy Bitch) 04. tata box inhibitors - freet (trisco remix) - hooj choons 5.F1 and Gonzalo - Itís my beat(Trade Full Strength) 05. futureshock - sparc - fuju 6.Blaze - My Beat(Neo) 06. Lamtarn - over the edge - white sands music 7.Phlash - Under My Control(Casa Dura) 07. redanka - sonic strategy - whoop 8.Dop Teknik - Zucchero(Project 5) 08. mauo picotto - Komondo (save a soul, nick sentience remix) - nukleuz 9.Syacoda - Milk of Magnesia(DP) 09. karin de ponti - hypnobounce ( jasmin mix) - nukleuz 10.Karim - Pandora(Do not bend) 10. Brain bashers - do it now ( lock n load mix) - Tidy Trax empyrean released debut 12” release e-001 mike fix a1. the arrival b1. mercury fall b1. feels like heaven available april 2001 e empyreanreleased.com AUDIOPHILES v0.1by dimension 23 Are you a DJ wondering what it takes to build your own studio?

This section of FREEBASS will hopefully Once you have MIDI IN/OUT capabilities guide you in your decisions on building your and your new soundcard, youíre ready to make first project studio to help make your techno the connection to a MIDI sound module or dreams a reality. We are starting this column at MIDI Keyboard. All professional and non-pro- the very, very basics of building a midi studio. fessional electronic keyboards have MIDI Within a few issues weíre going to be so deep IN/OUT ports, so in that way they can be con- in studio talk that your head will spin right off sidered MIDI sound sources. As a rule of from information overload!! thumb stay away from any MIDI keyboard that First, you will need an understanding of has speakers built into the panel. You know MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface). If the ones, found in Kmart, Target, Wal-Mart, youíre not familiar with how MIDI works see etc. the link at the end of this article. If you already For recording MIDI into your computer, run own a computer, you will need at least a a MIDI cable from the MIDI OUT of the key- Pentium 200mhz if you want to play back a board to the MIDI IN of the computer or trans- few tracks of audio along with MIDI all at once. lator. Then connect the MIDI out of the com- If your looking to buy a computer, try to buy puter or translator to the MIDI IN on your key- the fastest processor you can afford along board. To play and record music youíll need a with a decent sized hard drive (8 Gigs or more sequencing program such as Cubase or is good). Cakewalk. With a sequencer you can record Next thing you need is a soundcard. and play your own songs. You can also edit Although you can probably use the soundcard notes if you played any wrong ones when you that came bundled with your computer and it recorded your song. To record and playback may work and sound great for gaming and sequences and/or audio, you will need to playing CDís, but itís not going to do the trick check the individual tracks on the sequencer as a solid studio soundcard. Sound cards vary screen to make sure that the inputs and out- in the number and types of audio inputs & out- puts are coming from and going to the place puts (Analog, Digital ectÖ) that can be used at you want. You can choose the recording one time and in their fidelity. If you are record- source to be audio in or MIDI in. The output of ing a single stereo audio signal only, a device the track can be routed to audio out on your with one stereo input is all you really need. If computer or to MIDI out or to the internal you want to record and playback multiple sound module included on your sound card. audio signals at once, you’ll need substantial Lastly youíll need a mixer to route your input & output capabilities. This will depend on audio signals from your soundcard along with your needs and budget. your MIDI keyboards audio signal. There are Next you need to have a MIDI translator for many makes and models to choose from. arranging the MIDI connections to and from Mackie makes a wide selection starting from a your computer. A MIDI translator is a device few hundred bucks on up. Whatís best for you thatís main duty is to recognize MIDI signals is once again based on your individual needs coming into and going out of your computer to and budget. and from your MIDI keyboard. There are sever- al of these devices on the Links regarding this article: market. The devices vary Basic MIDI Explained / http://www.dj-media.com/doc_midi_explained.asp in the number of MIDI Soundcards / http://www.synthzone.com/sndcard.htm inputs and outputs that Midi Translators / http://www.synthzone.com/midihardware.htm can be used and prices Music Sequencers / http://www.synthzone.com/midiseq.htm start at around $75. Mackie Mixers / http://www.mackie.com/Products/VLZ_PRO_Series.asp

Bonus CD Mixed by Oliver Lieb INCLUDING TRACKS & MIXES BY: Oliver Lieb • Starecase • PhoolSinc Filtrate • Golden Scan • XPD Silvio Ecomo • Moonrunners Pound & Harris • F2 dANCEFLOOR majesticrecordings.com