7.11.09

Ben Skinner: The mighty Epidemik demolition interview!2009

Soon to be one month before the Capital is woken up again, with hundreds of party people ascending down to London town, Vauxhall - descending into Club Area, - there’s nothing short of an over flux of happy party people, - there’s ONLY ONE WORD to describe what is happening! - As the London night sky is lit up above, with the best fireworks around - safe on the ground inside the London sound an Epidemik is on its way to you to touch down….

You by now have no doubt seen the hardcore bill…? Glittered with hardcore legends from start to finish once again Epidemik pay no acceptation to their style and nonstop flair to their lineup.

The next person under the Epidemik microscope is the razor blade of the mixer, the demolition man of the decks - proud owner of one of London’s most successful running party brands: The legendary Summit! This guy is a heavy weight contender in the hardcore stakes…

For this night on the 7th of November will see him once again pair up with ANOTHER heavy weight hardcore D.J - Upfront! At his last event they both took to the wheels of steel, and reports had it that along with his MC - another number 1 - Lyrical Groover , that the club had to have a re fit due to ravers going berserka on the dance floor, and the mixer being pushed OVER IT’S LIMIT!!!!!!!…

So after an intro like that, it’s to the Summit we go with the mighty words of his MC Lyrical G- a genuine award winner - "NO one works a mixer like the one":

Ben Skinner!

Ben - I have been saying this for past few interviews now! - Once again it is a genuine honor to be speaking with you today!

First off how are you and how has your 2009 been so far, during these mad Credit afflicted times!?

Ben Skinner

“Yeah really good mate! To be honest haven’t really been affected by the Recession. Work life has been mentally busy and the D.Jing has been brilliant this year. Recently just moved in to my 1st house with my Girl friend Lauren (Miss Wicket) and rescued our 1st Dog, Sky, a lovely Weimarama.
Made new and excellent friends this year and played some really good partys, so on the whole 2009 has shaped up nicely.”

This will be your first time to step up on stage at an Epidemik event! - How are you feeling regarding this, and will you get nervous at all!?

Ben Skinner

“Epidemik is and has been one of the key events of London and to be booked to play is a big thing for any Dj or artist. Im really excited about this booking and has been the only thing I’ve talked about since Grant called me.
I don’t get nervous any more, more adrenaline rushed and pumped up to do my thing and rock the crowd.”

Talking of nerves - what’s your favorite relaxing drink when out and about!?

Ben Skinner

“Big, Big, Big, fan of Corona and Lime or Budweiser.”

You have been busy this year, travelling from one destination to another!- Could you please tell us about some of your bookings so far that have really stood out for you and made you think – “Yeeah - I REALLY want to go back there!!” ?

Ben Skinner

“Yeah as I said earlier, this year’s been brilliant for bookings. Managed to secure sets at some top events like: High Voltage, High Velocity, Raindance, Hidden Core and played a couple of sets down the South Coast for Electrik. It’s really cool to travel around the UK doing what you love and seeing new places you never would really go to. It’s hard to say what ones stand out as they have all been awesome nights but if I had to pick one night to go back to then I would probably say Hidden Core, no actually Electrik, no hang on High Voltage…See I can’t do it, there all good. At the end of the day though, I love playing in London, its where my style fits.”

What is it that clicks when working on the back to back with D.J Upfront!?; )

Ben Skinner

“The weirdest thing is the B2B I had done with Ben Upfront wasn’t planned, we didn’t really know each other just seen each other play out in the clubs. Ben was booked to play a B2B with Spenno down at my Summit night last August. Spenno unfortunately had to leave before his set after MCing with Geos Crew due to work. I wasn’t actually going to play at Summit as I had other stuff to do around the club but had my tunes with me so we decided fuck it lets do a B2B. The set went awesome; it’s cool to finally team up with someone who knows what they’re doing as much as you do. He’s mixing and tune selections were spot on and we bounced off each other really well.”

You have a brand new - top spanking POW!- mix out! - Can you please tell us a little more on this, and also if you will have any exclusives for the Epidemik crew on the 7th!…

Ben Skinner

“HaHa! - Yeah as you know this has been a nightmare to put together for me but last Sunday I finally cracked it. I’m not one of these people who will just slam a mix together for the sake of doing it. I work on my mixes and sets every night after work until they are perfect before doing it live. This to me is a key factor of being a good Dj when you know your tunes inside out for all the good drop points etc.
This recent mix I’ve actually titled “ Summit 4 Epidemik” and is just under an hour long with 20 tracks mixed together compiled from Hardcore, Hard House and Drum N Bass. This to me, was a massive challenge as all 3 styles are produced at different BPM’s, and to mix all together in under an hour is tricky.
Every set I do and event I play for, I always like to have something special with me for the night and yes I have a few exclusives for Epidemik. I can’t tell you what they are so if you wanna know make sure your at Epidemik in the Hardcore room for our set at 3am(I think that’s the right set time???????????)”

CLiCK HERE To experience Mr Skinners latest mix!

CLiCK HERE To experience Mr Skinners latest mix!

What can we find at the very top of Skinner’s C.D wallet?!?;)

Ben Skinner

“To be honest I’m a bit of a Gammer head! The boy is a genius when it comes to producing Hardcore. So yeah a lot of Gammer tracks and stuff made by Technikore, Recon, Ufo and also tunes made by myself.”

-POW!

Giving us a little ‘food for thought’ ;) Do you have a favorite meal before a show? / On the road or when you get back on a day after!?

Ben Skinner

“Yeah it’s always a good idea to fill your belly up before you head for a night out. Love roasts with York shires, Parsnips, Gravy, Mint Sauce, ermmmmmmmmmmmmmm……..Feeling hungry now.
Out on the road you don’t really have much to choose from but out the bunch I always go to Burger King, there the Shizz man. Then when we get home its lots of toast with Skippy Peanut Butter, just due to the fact I can’t be arsed to do anything else.”

Ben Ten or Spiderman?

Ben Skinner

“Spiderman…Dudes cool!”

What advice would you give to any up and coming D.J wanting to break into the D.J world today!?

Ben Skinner

“I think every Dj who gets asked this question always says “ Be Different”!........Well that’s just stating the obvious and doesn’t really help anyone. So I’m gonna tell you things I’ve done that have helped me.
Firstly, ok yes be different. You’re not gonna go anywhere if you’re trying to be the next Gammer, Whitby or Whizzkid. These guys have secured their roles of Kings of the scene for doing what they do and no one will take that away from them. So with that in mind you need to think of a way of becoming a lot better than them. There’s always room for improvement. Don’t just stick to one style of music or way of mixing. Explore other aspects and styles of Djing. Try mixing something you never thought you would play before ie Old Skool, Garage, Hip Hop and House music. Finds some tricks within those styles and try to incorporate that with your Hardcore sets. Invest yourself in a decent set of Cdj’s, preferably Pioneer. You’re not gonna wow anyone mixing on vinyl, it’s been done and your limited to what you can do. Get yourself a decent effects machine again Pioneer I find are the best for this. Learn how to use it well and try affecting a lot of your mixes. At the end of the day the crowd wanna see a Dj do more than mix a track together then stand there for 5 minutes. Let’s face it its boring to watch. Be inventive with your mixing and even try 3 or 4 deck mixing, this is very hard to do with Hardcore as there’s so much going on in the tune, so if you pull this off your fucking good.”

“Getting actually booked if your name isn’t that established is really hard to get the crowd knowing you in another way by getting yourself to the Raves, meeting new people and handing those Cds out to all the ravers. Get them talking about you and hyping your mixes up on the internet. Start talking and befriending the promoters of the events, let them know who you are and you want to play for their night. Offer to help sell tickets and build guest lists up for them as there always looking for the next aspiring D.J who will stick bums on their seats for their events. This could possibly lead to residencies with the promotion. It has happened for the right people before who are willing to work hard to get what they want.”

“I hope this helps you and remember you can always chuck demos my way as I’m always looking for new faces to play at Summit.”

Your technique on the decks is one of a very impressive nature! - Can you please tell us how you tailored your skill, and how you first started off in the hardcore scene!?: )

Ben Skinner

“I guess my Technique and style of mixing adapted due to the fact I’ve been mixing for like 10 years and was taught by a Dj, and my best mate, Hypnosis playing many styles of Music. When I 1st started I was more into Old Skool and U.K Garage then progressed into Drum N Bass. Got into the Hard House scene in about 2004 and that’s when I started my night Summit. I’ve always been in to Hardcore right from the beginning but never really pushed myself as a Hardcore Dj till a couple of years ago when I 1st started our new brand Summit Above 160 which plays host to our Hardcore room.

Like I said before I am one of these Djs who will work on his set and practice hard and develop new ways of Djing with up to date equipment. I enjoy putting on a show rather than just playing tunes and give the crowd a really good night.”

Badger or Hedgehog? & Why!??;);)
(You can share the same answer as Miss Wicket if you wish!)

Ben Skinner

“Without a doubt Badger, but he has to come with his own Sniper Rifel”…………

What words of from the Summit - as words of hardcore encouragement can you shout out to the Epidemik hardcore to rally them to the dance floor!?

Ben Skinner

“Not being funny but what other night in London that weekend will have a better lineup then Epidemik. In fact that’s one of the Strongest Lineups I’ve seen in ages. You will be CRAZY to miss it. And I’m playing too so come say Hi!” : )

Your new partnership with the legendary Lyrical Groover MC, is another top venture! You both work extremely well together, can you please tell us a little bit more about this, your new LiVE shows and any future plans (IF they’re not too top secret…!);)

Ben Skinner

“I 1st met Joe (Lyrical Groover) in November 2008. He came down to our Summit 3rd birthday at the Mass and randomly jumped on the Mic for Hixxy as Whizzkid was running late. After that I started booking him for the night and we started teaming up together.
I guess we both want to do more than just Dj or MC, so after a day and a half of being fucked up on my sofa plotting how were gonna “Mission Impossible” it into my local post office armed with some deadly ping pong balls we found on the internet, we decided to start branding our selv’s as an act.
We are working on a full stage show which is in the pipe line for 2010 but at the moment I can’t say too much about it, but believe me it’s gonna be cool.”

Would a back to back with Miss Wicket be on the cards in the hardcore future??;);)

Ben Skinner

“Our styles are quite different as she’s more into her Freeform so will have to see about that one.-
It would be really cool though!”

If you were stranded at the top of the Summit…What four essential things would you have to have with you?

Ben Skinner

“1 – My CDJ 1000’s
2 – My DJM 800
3 – Tunes obviously
4 – And…………..Fuck it, MC Lyrical Groover….. The Show must go on!”
"Shmoki'N'...!"

Ben it’s been legendary! - Sadly it is the time of the afternoon where I have a date with a pasta dish that needs my FULL attention…! Just before we depart towards the kitchen, could you please leave us with some words of Ben Skinner - hardcore wisdom…?

Ben Skinner

If it’s not broke…….Break it! ?

Ben once again thank you for your words today, and more importantly your time - we look forward to seeing you at the front of Epidemik hardcore room on the 7th of November!

Tickets for Epidemik on the 7th of November are on sale NOW! - So make no delay the last one was a total road block!!!!! Ben Skinner was talking to me today ahead of Epidemik, set to be one of London’s biggest parties to break the sound barriers yet again….! - Calling the ravers - calling the hardcore!

Details below:

E P I D E M I K
The Fancy Dress 14th Birthday Ball
(FIREWORK SPECTACULAR) - (remember' remember' the seventh of November)
SATURDAY 7TH NOVEMBER 2009 @ AREA, VAUXHALL, LONDON, SE1 7TP
9pm-6am - 15 hours of rave mayhem across 2 clubs
after party (lightbox) 6am-1pm

TICKETS £16.50 + B/F early bird £12(GONE!)

As stated, this feature is linked live, and you can navigate your way round by letting your cursor glide - it also comes with a: !WARNING! The Ben Skinner mix enclosed above may cause hardcore damage to your listening receptors - due to awesome track selection and sub sonic mixing - YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED! ;)

- Contact Ben Skinner for bookings etc via:

Ben Skinner Facebook

Ben Skinner DSI

Dave Hill / D.H.D
(Demon Ink)