DJ Mixman
Originally, I wasnt really musically minded. This changed in the early 90s after discovering London's pirate radio. By the time Unity 88.4 was kicking out Hardcore... Hardcore was ruling my life. Just as it was with all of my friends at the time. Music was suddenly every part of our social life, our bond, and the basis of our group... "Happy Nation" as it started to be called in 1993.
I have picked up other tastes through the years, like Classic D&B, oldskool, Bouncy Techno, Hard House & Hard Trance... But Hardcore is my passion :). Although, when I say Hardcore... I mean the many styles that have evolved through the years, stopping at the point where it sounds like Trance. Yes.. I like Trance, but I cannot stand Hardcore that sounds like Trance. Hardcore has always been a fun, random, sometimes silly genre. Some might even say cheesy (lol)... But using the Trance sound as a means of making money, to me, has destroyed something very unique, interesting and fun that we had.
Being at school in the early 90's, I was late in picking up my first vinyl and decks, so it wasnt until 1995 that I finally gave it a go at spinning some tunes. At the same time, other Happy Nation members like DJ Trixta & Nipper were playing, and my now famous bedroom became more of an arena lol.
By 1995, we were raving heavily.. Addicted to Dreamscape mainly, Slammin Vinyl, United Dance, and what were to become the best days of my life.. Labyrinth!!! It is a regret of mine that I did not get the chance to experience any of the Scottish scene back then.
I had always wanted to play out, but I made the mistake of "being sensible". Let's face it.. So many people want to DJ. It was the same back then as it is now. Being "sensible" I got myself in to a backup career. Between 1995 & 2005, I linked up with DJ Trixta almost every week for a sesh.. Played on a number of radio stations, and made a few friends in the scene. I was also a Hotel Manager, Pub / Restaurant Manager & a Head Chef. It took me those 10 years to realise that working up to 90 hours per week wasnt some kind of backup plan, but the biggest hinderance to achieving what I wanted more than anything.
Since leaving work, I have made many new friends and got myself involved in the scene a lot more. In the last 18 months, I have played at:
Raindance
Bliss
Hysteria
Innovation
Demolition
Energize
Bangin VS Kaotic (residency)
Old Skool Days
Origin - The History of Hardcore
Out of this World
Happy Nation's Free / £1 Parties
Hardcore Xpression
Illicit
Bangers & Mashed
Evolution
Nemesis
Flabbergast
Venom
Twisted Techno
History of Hardcore
I am also resident on 2 net stations... Happy Nation & Remaniss, with guest slots on other stations, and have a show on Eruption 101.3
The free time has also enabled me (Happy Nation) to get involved in event promotion, Starting with 2 collaborations with the crew at Bangin. This was followed by Origin in February 2006 with the boys at Remaniss Radio.. which was my first London event.
Lyrical Groover
I have been MC'ing for near on 15 years now. Starting out under the name of MC K'azy, but I dropped that tag around 94/95 when I decided to try and take myself a bit more seriously and came up with the name Lyrical Groover.
Most people know me for MC'ing to Hardcore music, but I also MC to Garage, Grime, Breaks, Techno and the odd bit of Drum & Bass here and there too. Over the years I have MC'd for a quite vaired genre of promoters including;
Kool FM (Drum & Bass)
Ruf Cut (Garage)
Drum Sound (Drum & Bass)
Strictly Dope (Garage/Grime)
Garage Nation (Garage)
Dreamscape Club Tour (Hardcore & Old Skool)
Steppaz Convention (Drum & Bass)
UK Desire (Garage)
Fusion (Hardcore & Techno)
A.W.O.L Club Tour (Drum & Bass)
Delusion (Hardcore)
Out Of This World (Hardcore & Old Skool)
Techno State (Techno & Hard Trance)
Fresh'N'Fruity (Garage)
Radio 1 Presents.. (Garage)
Proper Talent (Drum & Bass)
Illicit (Hardcore)
Ravenation (Old Skool)
Ice Cream Club (Garage)
Rumble (Drum & Bass)
Indulge (Funky/Handbag House)
Dance Paradise (Garage)
History Of Hardcore (Hardcore & Old SKool)
Speed Swing (Garage)
Bangers & Mashed (Hardcore)
Unity (Old Skool)
Origin (Hardcore)
Hyperbolic (Hardcore)
The Crypt (Drum & Bass)
Krazy Love (Garage)
Cream Of Da Crop (Garage)
La Bambas (Hardcore & Techno)
Locked On Locked In (Garage)
Vibe FM's Sandstorm (Garage)
Hardcore Xpression (Hardcore & Old Skool)
...plus more.
I teamed up with Mixman in the summer of 2006, after hitting it off pretty much instantly at an event in February of that year. We don't take ourselves too seriously when we are performing and you will always find Mixman jumping around behind the decks, and me giving it some on stage with my wannabe "stage dancer" moves. We are ravers too, so we are there for a party just as much as anyone else!
Our Happy Nation events are going from strength to strength, gaining all the more dedicated followers with each party held. You can tell this simply by logging in to our radio shows via the website, and joining in with the community where you will soon be welcomed in as one of the family. Come along and see for yourself.. ;-)
Mixes
Click here for 4th February 2006 (Video)
Click here for 17th November 2006 (Audio)