We speak to the Quosh Records impresario about True Hardcore, DJ’ing, married life and High Velocity’s launch party this Friday in Bognor

By Jon Brown

Now how’s this for a bit of irony, here is a man that not only plays out two, three times a week (and then some) at some of the biggest club events in the World, has a production and remix CV as long as a coach trip to the Arctic Circle, has just played a part (along with the DJ Sy) in producing a disc for a Top 10 Hardcore compilation that’s selling so fast you’d think they were giving them away and; has been a primary player within the Hardcore scene since as early as 1992 (despite the fact that he has also successfully worked in Breaks, House and many other scenes). He’s just got married, his label Quosh which he shares with one other industry legend shifts vinyl units like there’s no tomorrow and he likes Fish & Chips… yet, despite all of this he calls himself Unknown.

As the countdown continues in the build-up to the launch of High Velocity at The Mud Club on the 19th October, we ask the man himself – what’s it all about?

What inspired the name Unknown?

It basically came from my very first vinyl release. I did it with another guy and because it contained samples, we used the name DJ’s Unknown Volume 1, then when people started asking me to DJ I didn’t have a name so I used Unknown and it kind of stuck.

Fresh off the back of releasing True Hardcore, how difficult was it to produce the Quosh disc on the album (with the DJ Sy) and what influenced your choices for the tracks on there?

We spent more time on this project than any we have worked on in the past, not really out of choice more the fact that we arranged with Gut Records to allow us all loads of time, so we weren’t rushing it in any way. We made a decision to get all styles of tracks on there from vocal tracks to instrumental tracks so hopefully something for everyone.

Do you write songs yourself or are you more of an engineering / production man? If so, what inspires putting a track together?

Yeah we do the whole lot, I guess you get inspired by situations in your life, be it personal or DJ’ing experiences and you try to put them all into the music you create.

How would you say True Hardcore sets itself apart from other dance and Hardcore compilations on the market today?

It is hard to come up with a new concept as there is only so much you can do with x amount of DJ’s mixing x amount of CD’s, but I think the inclusion of (MC’s) Storm & Whizzkid helps to give it a new aspect, something fresh.

You really are coming into your own now, in so far as the way you work, your packed gig list and so forth – but you have actually been on the scene pretty much from the off, for those that do not know, when did your working relationship with the DJ Sy begin and where did it all start?

It first started back in 1994, I was already producing the DJ’s Unknown stuff and Sy was playing them at all the big raves, we met by chance when we were both DJ’ing at a Fusion event at Farnborough, we chatted and I suggested he came into the studio to try and make a track, that ended up being a track called “Are You Ready” and came out on Hectic, I guess the rest is history….

Give us the rundown on Quosh as it is today – what’s coming up?

We’ve got loads of releases, some are vocal tracks with Lou Lou, we’ve got some bouncy instrumental tracks coming out too, Darren Styles has just remixed one of Lou Lou’s tracks which is working well too, so watch this space.

You recently got married, which begs the question – how do you juggle a busy production and remix schedule, with a business, married and social life, a hectic DJ diary – what’s the secret to keeping the balance?

It’s hard you know I think its all about effort, you have to work really hard on all aspects of your life be it home, work or social. You have to allow time for everything and everyone so that you feel you are using your time wisely. It’s not easy but if you work hard for it (and don’t sleep much) you can achieve it. Oh and a very understanding wife helps too!

We’ve heard from your collaborations with Sy what inspires you on the dancefloor and in the studio, but what music other than Hardcore gives you a lift? And that said what did you listen to before your journey into Hardcore – including the first record you ever bought?

I do produce other styles of music from Breaks to House so I guess most of my influence come from those scenes, the Breaks scene is very similar to the early rave days so I do have a fondness there. I can honestly say I can’t remember the first record I bought…. It was toooo long ago.

You’re brutally honest, open opinions about today’s rave scene and where it’s headed are what? What do you think of today’s ravers, in comparison to how ravers were in the early ‘90’s?

I think the vibe is the same, if you speak to DJ’s from other genres I think deep down they are all envious of the atmosphere a rave creates, they’d never admit it publically but privately they are! I think the scene is in a very healthy state but being pivotal in the evolvement of the scene it is our job to make sure that the scene evolves and doesn’t stand still, if you don’t keep exciting the ravers with new music and events they will get bored and that would be terrible.

Your all booked up to headline the all new High Velocity event at The Mud Club on the 19th October, previously known as The Empire... do you have fond memories of playing there previously... it’s atmosphere.. the lovely seaside town of Bognor and what will you be bringing to this particular event to kick the first session off right...

Yeah I am looking forward to it, it’s been years since I was last there, but there was always a fantastic atmosphere in there which is what I’m really hoping for, I’ve just got to remember how to get there its been a while…. I’ll have loads of fresh tracks with me as well as a couple of classics so it’s gonna be a good one….. look forward to seeing you all there!

Quickfire Question: When in Bognor Regis – Fish & Chips or Ice Cream?

Fish & Chips for me except in the summer, then Ice Cream all the way.

With thanks to DJ Unknown, True Hardcore is available now on GTV Records at all good music stores and as a digital download and features three discs of ‘True Hardcore’ from three of the biggest label giants in the scene today – Quosh, Essential Platinum and THC. The compilation is mixed by Sy & Unknown, Dougal & Gammer and Supreme & Sunset Regime.

Unknown will be headlining the launch of High Velocity at The Mud Club, The Esplanade, Bognor Regis on Friday, the 19th October, alongside historical Hardcore legend Top Buzz. The event will run from 10pm – 3am, more information can be found at www.themudclub.com

Words: Jon-Brown

With thanks to mixapix, little-stomper, unicorn6630 and DeKay-GSDX for the pictures!

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