We talk to Pete Wardman before his return to the Custard Factory with a very special b2b set with Andy Farley...

Pete you’ve been in the scene for a long time but for those new to the scene can you briefly explain your hard house history?

I was a kid who loved disco, and who was lucky enough to be around at the time of the rave scene in ‘88/’89 which was an amazing experience (which would fill a couple of books!). Suddenly, in 1992 I found myself working as a dj for Kiss FM in London and was starting to ‘find my feet’ with the kind of sound I really wanted to play, and the kind of tracks and remixes I wanted to put out. At the time there wasn’t really a genre called hard-house – but there were a small (but very enthusiastic) band of dj’s and producers who were (broadly) on the same ‘tip’ and contributing to the (gay) club scene in London at clubs like Trade, Garage (at Heaven) and FF. People like myself, Baby Doc and SJ, Tony De Vit, Dave Randall, Blu Peter, Rachel Auburn, Mrs Wood (and many more there’s not enough space to mention) were making their own stuff and playing it out. For me - it all led from there. I was on the radio playing all these tracks (and loads of excellent German and Dutch import stuff as well) and suddenly it seemed that hard house ‘was the new black’. From there it was a combination of playing loads of guest slots at many clubs around the UK, studio work, and a couple of lucky breaks (like getting asked to do Pete Tong’s Essential Mix really early on) that helped my profile.

Lucky for us you’re playing at our event on February 14th - when was the last time you played in Birmingham?

I haven’t played in Birmingham for a while now. I’ve had some great nights in Brum though – one of the best was years ago at The Ultimate Orange (was it at ‘the Q club?) with Billy Nasty and Tony (De Vit) – bloody hell, what a night that was...

In your day job you work for the bbc, what does that involve?

Keeping my head down, and trying to avoid making Jonathan Ross-sized gaffs...

As a special Valentines treat we have Andy Farley playing for 8 hours with exclusive b2b sets included in that, are you looking forward to playing b2b with Andy?

I can’t wait to play with Andy – mainly as this year he’ll have no excuse for not giving me a Valentines Day card lol!!

What’s been your best memory of Andy from over the years? Any secrets you can reveal?

I may be out the closet - but my many secrets will have to stay in there!! Have you never heard the expression “what happens on tour...stays on tour?!” I’ve got loads of memories of brilliant nights with Andy, both on and off the decks. Long may he continue – he’s one of the nicest djs, and one of the best (and most consistent) that you could hope to meet.
(NB : Andy, I’m mentally tucking that tenner you owe me into my bra strap..!)

Out of all your productions what’s been your favourite?

Of my productions? Not sure it’s for me to judge really...but since you ask; I think my mix of ‘Hooked’ still stands up pretty well I guess. I still like some of my earlier stuff on Tripoli Trax and think the work I did with Ryan (Fisher) took the sound in a different direction. There’s also a really early remix i did of “Fade to Grey” that still makes me smile when i hear it...

Have you got any new tracks planned for 2009?

Yes ;-) And I’ll tell you more when they’re done!! I’m hoping find some time to work with some new people this year though – mum’s the word for now...

Your also playing an exclusive house set for us on February 14th, what kind of stuff will you be playing?

I haven’t planned it out (‘cos i never do!) but it’ll be a mixture of old and new, some electro-influenced stuff, and some tech-influenced bits that i’m really into at the moment.

The Custard factory is quite possibly one of the coolest venues in the country with a very unique style and layout, do you think having the right venue is just as important in creating that “magic” atmosphere as everything else?

You know what – I love the custard factory. I’ve got many memories from years back of going there as Tony’s (de vit) studio was based there for quite a long time. I heard a lot of his tracks in his studio at the Custard Factory for the first time - just after he’d finished making them. Looking back, that seems very special...

Is there one gig that still holds a magic place in your heart?

There’s a couple – Trade was always a magic gig to do as a resident when it was at Turnmills. The only ‘Love Parade’ that ever happened in the UK (in Leeds at Roundhay Park) was ‘beyond beyond’ (copyright Rachel Auburn!!); what I mean is, words cannot do it justice. You just had to be there. I was watching the video i took a few months back and it brought back some great memories. There have been other one-off gigs abroad that were also amazing; ‘Slinky’s’ New Year in Auckland, New Zealand, and a Gatecrasher tour in Australia (Ben Keen and Andy Farley will back me up here – we all ended up in the same hotel room afterwards...)

What’s your all time top 5 hard house tunes??

1) The one with that break down...
2) The one that goes duh duh duh du du dooo..
3) The one that i played after the one before that one...
4) That one that goes “come on” all the way through...
5) My memory fails me...

What’s been your favourite Valentines present you’ve ever received?

When someone looked me in the eye and...very quietly (and for the first time) told me they loved me...
However – i’m looking forward to seeing what Farley’s bought me for 2009. I’ve heard he’s been saving up lol!!

Finally, anything else you’d like to plug?

My hard House range of Tupperware isn’t out til 2010 – so I’ll save that for another day!

Many thanks for taking the time out to answer these questions - and we can’t wait to see you play on February 14th at the custard factory!

My pleasure – I’m really looking forward to it too. See you there. ?
Pete
x

THE GODFATHER OF HARDHOUSE

WORLD EXCLUSIVE 8 HOUR BACK 2 BACK VALENTINE SPECIAL

Saturday 14th February 2009
The Custard Factory Complex. Birmingham.

Main Arena – Hosted By Xstatic & Deprivation – Hardhouse

Andy Farley
8 Hour Exclusive Back to Back with:

Steve Thomas

JP & Jukesy

Paul Maddox

Pete Wardman

Jimmy Dean

JMF

Kitchen – Hosted by Nu-Depth Records – Trance/Tech Trance

Activa

Jordan Suckley

Gio

Danny Powers

Steve Arnold

Sam Rushton

Tom Green

Ash Preston

Stu -IE

Pool Side Hosted by 'FUNKEE' - Classic Funky House & Electro

Steve Thomas

Pete Wardman

Steven Richards

Stuart Banbery

Mike Lennon

Joe Napier

Marc Stone

Pimmo

Filthy Fusion

The Nitrox Dirt Chamber – Hosted by Nitrox Records

Valex v Adam M

Amp Attack

Lusty

Dave Curtis

Ben Townsend

Neil M

Richard Haplin

JRDJ

Carl H

Information

Date: Saturday 14th February 2009
Venue: The Custard Factory Complex, Gibb Street, Digbeth, Birmingham B9 4AA
Time: 9.00pm – 6.00am

Event Ticket Information

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www.xstatic-tickets.com
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Early Birds: £10 +BF *Selling Fast*
Advanced: £15 +BF
MOTD

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