Unless you’ve been living under a rock the name Mark EG is imprinted in everyone’s brain. Veteran DJ/Producer and pioneer, known for being the party starter, nutcase and true crowd pleaser. We managed to strap him down ahead of the 1st Birthday event.

On Saturday 15th of March, Mark EG will be gracing the main stage @ Time Nightclub for the celebrations of Sanxion’s first year in Clubland.

In the last year Sanxion has gone from strength to strength, two events with Hardcore Til I Die an event with Sundissential and last but not least managing to lock Mark EG down as resident.

How did you get into the Dance Music Scene?

Through electro and house music in the early 80’s. It wasn’t actually called dance music at that time – just some weird hypnotic black music from Chicago.

Who inspired you?

All the original music I bought and heard. As a kid, I used to have posters of Marshall Jefferson and Todd Terry on my wall and hoped one day I’d be able to make music like them. I used to record radio shows on Cassette and listen to them religiously. I didn’t care about clubbing – just the music. Those were pure, totally inspirational days for me.

What about your clubbing days, when and where did they start?

I got into clubbing through the guys I used to hang around with on Pirate Radio in Manchester. I was five years younger than everyone else but somehow they managed to blag me into the clubs. What an eye opener! The Manchester acid house scene took me to the next level.

How do you think the scene compares now to how it was then?

It’s mutated, it’s changed massively, but still it inspires ppl to a massive extent. If you want me to make a comparison, of course I’m going to say those original acid days were untouchable, but I think the scene these days is just as inspirational, just as forward thinking. Life is what you make it and the new music is where it’s at

How would you define the styles that you play?

I just love good music. I’ll listen to absolutely everything that’s made with a passion, but as far as my DJing style goes – well I reckon it’s just developed from what has worked for me in the type of events I’ve played along the way. I originally played techno, it mutated into trance/hard trance and now I’m incorporating hardstyle and schranz too.

Renowned for being a nutcase behind the decks, is this part of the Mark EG show or is this how you behave normally?

I really don’t like the word ‘show’ cause it sounds false, but of course there’s a difference between the bloke you see behind the 1210’s and the guy who lives during the week. I suppose the main difference is that I don’t leave the party and immediately start to smash up my house. Mind you, I do eat records as part of my protein intake hahaha!

What’s your favourite way to unwind?

After so much madness in my life, I really have a passion for quiet, tranquil places too. One of the best places I enjoy being is the Lake District - I try to go there at least once a year. Sheep and techno is a wicked way to unwind!

What’s been the highlight of your career so far?

The word ‘Career’ sucks! Hehe.. OK, so the best thing I’ve ever done? Me and Chrissi Live PA in Brazil for sure…

Its no secret, you’ve been playing all over the world. What’s the best gig you’ve ever played?

See Above! OK, as far as DJ gigs go? Well I’m the type of person that lives by the moment, so I would have to say last week’s gig in (New!) York.

How do you think the scene is evolving and where do you think its going?

Well for me music and ‘the scene’ are slightly different things. But if you’re talking about music (the most important thing!), well it goes in cycles. I’m seeing a cycle right now with hardstyle and I compare that to the Belgian techno scene in 92. I see it totally developing into the harder thing and then something slightly deeper. As far as techno goes, well that’s doing exactly the same thing. You’re getting the hard, hard heads and the ppl who want it deeper. Well, I’m somewhere in the middle of it all. Long may the cycle continue!

DJing aside, Blackout Audio is your record label, how and why did this emerge?

I never wanted a record label. But ever since we started producing techno, people were asking us how to get our music. Luckily Chris Liberator asked us if we wanted to set up one and we said why the hell not. It’s developed into something I’m incredibly proud of and have great fun in doing.

What other projects are you involved in?

Loads, but I really want to keep them secret. I suppose when we are truly confident and happy with the results, we will let people know. But until then, it’s completely hush hush hush!!

Which producers are exciting you at the moment?

Waaaaaay too many to mention. But here’s some the ppl off the top of my head: Zany, Matt Maddox, Viper XXL, FJ Project, ASYS, DJ Activator, AMOK, Concrete DJz, Oscar Mulero, Autechre, Natus, Wittekind, Ogi, Kamui, Pedro Delgrado, Exium, Bas Mooy…..

If you were going to put a line-up on what would it be?

Well, as luck would have it I’ve just been asked to do a line-up for The Sanctuary Festival 2008. Rather than just do the obvious type of line-up, I’ve really tried to do something different and present a more European techno slant. No one else has had the balls to do this in the UK before. In the future, I’d also like to do an upcoming and old school hard trance thing. Damn the sky is the limit. This is a new thing for me and I’d love to do more of them…

We know Sanxion’s the mutts nuts but what made you agree to be resident?

Well there’s only one reason why I wanted to do this and that’s because the ppl who are behind it are truly passionate about the music. At the end of the day, the music is the key to everything.

Last but not least, what does EG stand for?

Eggs and Bacon

Thank you Mark for taking time out to do this interview.
You can catch him @ the Sanxion 1st Birthday, Saturday 15th of March:
SANXION 1st Birthday!!