Having first got into the dance music scene in 1988 the good old days of acid house and the beginning of what was to be the next chapter in my life, i like many was hooked to this new sound that was fast sweeping the uk. So in 1990 after 2 years of listening to acid house and techno music i decided i would have a go on the decks and try to become a dj. I hooked up with a local mobile disco and spent 5 years learning everything there was to know about doing disco's and the art of mixing records together.
My first break in the dance scene came when i was given a residency at a local night in northwich in 1994 playing everything from house to hardcore every friday night to a small but up for it crowd and this was where it all began for me. By now hardcore was getting bigger and better and there were more illegal parties than ever before and by now i was gettin messier than ever before.
In 1994 i decided it was time to get some decks of my own and really go for it, by now hardcore was well and truly my number one sound and listening to Stu Allan on Key 103fm every saturday and sunday inspired me even more. Although my mixing was needing some help i continued to try and crack it as a dj. Not really managing to break thru i gave up for a while and sold my entire record collection this was to be one of the biggest regrets of my life but what the hell, never give up was voice i heard inside my head so with a kick up the backside from mags (the wife) i got off me arse and did something about it. I started building up my record collection and holding more parties at home just so i could play in front of my mates and continued my weekly and monthly visits to Bowlers and Kinetic where i was to meet some of the people i would end up working with in one way or another.
In 2000 the years of partying hard were starting to take there toll so i made the decision it was was the Djing i wanted and not the messy weekends so i concentrated on the Djing side of things and it was the best decision i ever made. Bookings were starting to pick up and then a trip to Fantasy Island on NYE 2001, i ended up standing in for Ratpack in the oldskool arena playing gabba techno for the oldskool crew as these were the only records i could use as i was only there for a night out and never had my own with me.
Then six weeks later i got a call from Sal who was with Vibealite at the time, inviting me to play @ the old corn mill near Huddersfield in april 2002. Straight away i said yes and this was the real turning point in my carrear i had been waiting for.
My dreams were now becoming reality and things were looking up bookings were flying in thick and fast and then out of the blue Gary Vibealite offered me a chance i thought i would never get a residency with one of the biggest promotors in the country. So here is where my life with vibealite began. Working with gary & sal gave me an insight and some expieriance in the world of promoting events.
This was also to be usefull for my next venture, getting involved with Jedi hardcore but more about that later.
My best two bookings to date have been with Vibealite, NYE 2002 Fantasy Island - Hardcore arena, playing 12.15am - 1.30am in front of 4000 ravers after Marc Smith had completly blown the place apart with one of his best ever sets, and also the Vibealite at Sea boat party. The boat part was an expieriance i will never forget, (so come on vibealite lets have another one).
Another vibealite event that stands out was the trip to wakefield @ club H2o. Whilst i was on in the oldskool hardcore arena Scott Brown and Storm was playing in the hardcore arena to an empty room whilst eveyone was having it large to the oldskool (one of those funny moments you had to see to believe it)
The Start of 2003 was when i got involved with Jedi hardcore, as a resident but it wasnt until january 2004 as a promotor too. Having known barney (the creater of jedi) since my days at Bowlers i was more than happy to get involved.
It Has been a pleasure working with everyone i have worked with over the years whether it be Djing or promoting, ive had the chance to play at venue's such as Fantasy Island, The Emporium (Coalville), The Void, Lakota, The Sreet, and many many more, and the chance to work with the biggest names in the buisness. Below is a list of some of the promotors who i have gained bookings with over the last few years...Raverbaby / HTID
Vibealite
Missing / Manchester
Bangin & Kaotic
Hardcore Heaven TV @ HH weekender 2
North Binary
Insomniacz
UKScene
Summer Sensation 1&2
Oblivion
Life Line (Hardhouse)
Futurevibe
Universal Hardcore
Rollback
Absolute Hardcore
Quake Radiation
Monthly Mayhem
Rewind (oldskool)
Neo
Jedi
Instinct
Madness
Goodtimes
Nocturnal
Knowfear
Illusion
Total Bedlam & Many more.. ..I currently do a radio show the Sunday Comedown Sessions on www.hardcorerevolution.net which is coming upto its 2nd birthday on 18/02/07 and were planning another phat 10hr show so make sure yers dont miss that one...17 years later from where it all began in 1990 this is what the future has in store for 2007 Im continuing to work on New tunes aswell as gaining more bookings, I have a week out in spain in june playing for HTID at Lloret De Mar, also got a trip to amsterdam too which should be intersting to say the least and the rest we will have to wait and see what happens....Rob Dj Benson.. ..
