It would be impossible to entirely introduce my next guest by way of their complete history, simply because there is so much of it. Starring as one of the headlining MC’s in the UK Hardcore room of the forthcoming Resonate event at The Old Firestation on the 15th November, Scott Smiley is a character that is known to all of the Hardcore movement.

Since his early beginnings in 1993 by way of jumping on a set with Sy at the legendary Fusion parties in Aldershot, Smiley has been an MC that continues to excite, entertain and keep a room locked down with his lyrics in full flow at every given occasion. Thankfully, these occasions are many, as his work on a microphone has led him to gather a global following including many repeat bookings with some of Hardcore’s very best party providers.

Joining a line-up of artists, many of which he has had the opportunity to come up through the ranks with – including Brisk, Seduction and DJ Supreme – I spoke to Scott about life back in the day and Hardcore as it is now.

Smiley – thanks for doing this for us – let’s start with how long you have had a passion for all things Hardcore and how it’s defined who you are today?

No worries, umm.... I’ve been listening to Hardcore since roughly ‘93, I started raving before the split into Hardcore / Drum n Bass and when that happened I found myself following the happier stuff being played by the likes of Slipmatt, Seduction, etc. I haven’t really ever thought about how its “defined” me, I’m just Hardcore and always have been (laughs).

So you would in retrospect then remember the early Aldershot days and the classic dawning of the early rave scene – give us some of your memories?

Yeah, too right! My first appearance was at the Rhythm Station at a Fusion event, I managed to blag my way on the mic for Sy - that’s one night I’ll never forget! Many happy memories from that place and a lot of us started our careers there.

The music has changed since back in the day, have you in turn had to change and adapt your lyrics to suit the ever changing styles of today’s thriving Hardcore scene?

Definitely, the scene has advanced SO much since those days in every way! The ravers like to know the rhymes and that’s what I think makes a big difference. Many top MC’s from back in the day would freestyle and make it up as they went along. The quality of the Hardcore MC’s gracing the stage nowadays is much higher in terms of quality and professionalism.

Are you always writing lyrics – always coming up with fresh and brand new ideas lyrically?

To be honest, I have slacked somewhat on writing new material at the end of ‘07 and that has reflected in my bookings; but I’m writing loads of new material at the moment and raising my profile on the net and trying to get back in the studio and get my new website www.mcsmiley.co.uk finished and launched.

MC’s seem to really be breaking through right now – not just the new ones but also the Main Stage MC’s and veterans such as yourself are a really important part of the line-up – is this something you feel has become more prominent now than ever before?

To be honest, I think MC’s have been an important part of the line up for a number of years, I know quite a few promoters who wouldn’t dream of putting a line up together without at least one of the “top two” on it.

Whizzkid took the Hardcore Heaven Award for Best MC this year – breaking a five year championship reign from the legendary Storm, what are your thoughts on this?

Storm has taken the level of MC’s up so many notches over the past years. It’s always been a battle between Storm and Whizzkid for the award and either way they both deserve to be winners. They are true professionals and have done a lot for Hardcore over the years, I congratulated Storm every year he won and I did the same this year to Whizzkid.

It’s all about the albums too – at the moment – have you been working on any studio projects yourself?

It’s quite hard to find people who have time right now, as you say everyone is busy with albums and so on. I’m working on one new bit at the moment which I’m hoping is going to get taken on by a big producer and am trying to get the right person to do the ‘Ordinary People’ remix, as Dougal & Gammer just haven’t the time right now.

Hardcore’s really turning corners commercially – what’s your view on Hardcore music? Do you think that there can be such a thing as too commercial?

I think that Hardcore has grown incredibly over the past 5-6 years and everyone has their own way of making a name for themselves and I don’t really look at what others do, I just do my own thing and wish everyone well in whatever projects they get involved with.

Still – you remain a busy man – give us the rundown on what’s coming up?

Yeah, since I’ve had Andy Bowler (TDC) as my Manager things have got better and I am doing events all over place. This weekend just gone I was at Uprising in Sheffield and in Bremen, Germany with DJ Supreme on the Saturday night. It’s funny because a lot of ravers come up to me when I’m out and say “Where you been? We don’t see you out that often” - it’s not that I’m not busy, I’m just doing a lot of events that are a bit off the beaten track so to speak.

This month of course I’m down at Resonate on the 15th, Delerium in Bristol on the 22nd and then I’m on the Isle of Wight on the 28th - so looking forward to all those nights.

Which brings us to our next question – as you’ve said - you’re with us in Room Two at Resonate on the 15th November at the Old Firestation in Bournemouth and you’ll be joining Old Skool legends Brisk, Seduction, Supreme and co – have you worked with those boys recently? Any funny memories from back in the day and why do you think it is (yourself included) that these guys have lasted the Hardcore test of time?

I have worked with Seduction quite a bit over the last year or two, in fact a lot of ravers say they enjoy the sets we do at the likes of Slammin Vinyl and Uproar’s 5th Birthday and so on. I like his style of music and enjoy working with ‘Sedders’ very much.

As I said earlier I was with Supreme in Germany last weekend and in fact that’s the second time in a month that we’ve been out there, although different to ‘Sedders’ style, I enjoy MC’ing for Supreme and he’s a proper laugh when we go abroad.

Not really any stories to tell, we just have a laugh and enjoy the experience. Well, just as a taster - it doesn’t involve me or Supreme, but we were out in Germany last weekend in Bremen with a few of the D&B guys as well like Phantasy, Skibba and a few others and we got told when we’d left the event that one of the stage dancers used to be a fella! One of the Drum & Bass MC’s had her grinding up against him whilst they was on stage (laughs very loudly)!

As to how we’ve stood the test of time, I guess it’s just about working hard and doing the best you can.

Wise words indeed - thanks for your time Scott and for those of you raving anytime soon in Germany, remember to be cautious with chatting up club dancers!

You’re very welcome.

Interview By Jon Brown, with thanks to Scott Smiley and to tgpromotions.com for the pictures.

DON'T MISS SMILEY THIS SATURDAY AT RESONATE!