With some serious sounds emanating from their studio, Radio 1 airplay and support from the biggest DJs in Hard Dance, this dynamic duo are well on their way to making it to the top. Due to make only their second appearance in London this July for Magnetix, Dean Zone went to find out what it is about the pair that has seen them achieve so much in such a short space of time…

With some serious sounds emanating from their studio, Radio 1 airplay and support from the biggest DJs in Hard Dance, this dynamic duo are well on their way to making it to the top. Due to make only their second appearance in London this July for Magnetix, Dean Zone went to find out what it is about the pair that has seen them achieve so much in such a short space of time…

1. So, starting from the start, how did you two meet?

Sully: I met Matt about 7-8 years ago on the clubbing scene, we were both regular party animals at Escape in Swansea. We were both part of a tightly knit group called "S2G". We partied hard together but we both shared the dream of one day making it in the Hard Dance scene.

Matt: We bet many moons ago through mutual friends and a clubbing website called S2G (Sounds 2 good) which was mainly dedicated to Escape and all the clubbers who went there. We were very lucky to grow up listening to the best trance DJ’s in the world week in, week out and developed the same passion for the music and went on to become very good friends.

2. What made you decide to work together and what is the inspiration behind SHOCK:FORCE

Sully: Well, Matt Kind of disappeared off the scene a few years ago after making a very good reputation for himself in Wales. We were both booked by a local promoter Mars W who asked if we would like to play back to back, and it kind of went from there. We were both super passionate about what we do so it seemed like it was meant to be.

Matt : Again, after being so passionate and always on the same wavelength, our set went really well at Intolerance so it seemed like the right thing as we were such good friends.

3. Does the fact that Matt lives in London make it a difficult relationship?

Sully: No not at all, it gives me a break from the cunt! Plus he has developed some good contacts there which have already helped us progress.

Matt: I prefer this as we get to push our sound in two of the UK’s best cities for dance music. I have met so many cool people here that has helped us develop a good fan base and gain some amazing bookings.

4. Do you ever disagree, either in the studio or in the DJ booth?

Sully: Yes there are occasions in the studio where we have a difference in opinions, but taking a few minutes out and all is sorted. Other than that we are pretty much completely on the same wavelength which helps massively.

Matt: I honestly feel there aren’t that many disagreements in the studio, we both know what we want even when sometimes it’s a little different. We both just want the best possible sound for our tracks and feel we work together really well. In the DJ booth – Never, I completely trust his choices. He’s a dick but he’s a bloody good DJ!

5. What’s been your biggest achievement so far, both collectively and individually?

Sully: As a solo artist I would say releases on big labels such as Tranzlation and Trancewarez, and getting a remix a Defqon 1 CD. As SHOCK:FORCE it would have to be the numerous airings on Radio 1 via Kutski and our immanent release of several tracks on labels such as Joyride, Bionic and Tyranno records.

Matt: On my own I made such a good reputation for myself as a DJ being lucky enough to play at all major club events including Bionic, Breathe, Justice and having residencies at several events such as Fresh Impact, Justice and Inner Rhythm. Collectively would have to be airings on Radio 1 for our remix of DJ Kim – Jetlag, as well as the likes like Lisa Lashes, Phil York, Mindbender, Brian M & Mc Bunn not only supporting our tracks but asking for all our promos in the future.

6. In your opinion, how does hard dance clubbing, clubbers and music differ from London to your native Wales?

Matt: Basically I find the only difference is that in London UK hard trance and hard house is bigger than the European sound where as in Wales it’s the other way around, as for clubbers they’re fucking mental in both places!

Sully: That’s an interesting question! I guess not, our gig at Hidden in London a few weeks ago was great, really up for it clubbers, great atmosphere. On the same token I'd advise anyone to get there arses to Bionic and Escape In Wales, seriously good nights. Bionic has something very special about it, it's a very well run event with great line ups, great residents and a awesome up for it crowd.

7. You remixed the Nukleuz classic Jetlag by DJ Kim recently which has received widespread support. Did you intend to have this released or was it originally a bootleg?

Matt : Oh Jetlag, still having my honeymoon period with this track even though we produced it back in December last year, what can I say! Alphazone remix was HUGE and possibly my favourite hard trance tune of all time, so being lucky enough to not only remix it but get an official release is a dream come true.

Sully: Yeah this one has been a massive success for us. We both love the original but felt it could have a lot more impact, so we decided to bring it right up to date for 2009. We're chuffed the original label liked it enough to sign it up, otherwise it could well have been a "cheeky bootleg".

8. So Sully, what are your weapons of choice in the studio?

Sully: I have a simple yet effective set up in SHOCK:FORCE studio's

X 2 DualCore laptops running 4GIG RAM,
Firewire Solo Midi Audio Interface
Behringer Truths 2031A Studio Monitors
MMC 449 Midi Keyboard
Realtek Microphone
A Pair of Sennys

Software : Cubase sx3 and Ableton, Pro53, Nexus,Waves, Massive and Sylenth.

Matt : Um, he forgets about the other 2 secret weapons: Matt and Sully!!!

9. What other tunes and gigs have you got in the pipeline?

Sully: First of all bookings at Resistance, Bionic, Magnetix and Hindsight, also we have been booked to play in Ibiza for GlowBalls Hard Dance Ibiza Week and we're delighted to confirm that our latest track Fate has been signed to Bionic Records for release this year and my remix of Logger & Gnetic - Industry will be featured on the Defqon1 CD.

Matt: We have also been added to the Trance Arena line up or this year's Chance Festival in Wiltshire - 120 acres, 10,000 people. Dance Paradise!! Also the SHOCK:FORCE remix of DJ Kim’s – Jetlag has been signed to the original label and Digital Minds has been signed to Dave Joy's Joyride!!

10. Hardstyle is probably the number one sound for Welsh Hard Dance clubbers. Have you ever been tempted to tap into this?

Sully: I've always been a Hard Trance / Dance head so the majority of the new Hardstyle about just doesn't do it for me. Don't get me wrong there have been some superbly produced tracks such as Floorkiller, FTS, all of the Blutonium earlier stuff too. I've got a sneaky secret too: I have actually released Hardstyle under another alias but the name will remain secret hehehe!

Matt : Ok firstly, Hardstyle is getting bigger all the time with the likes of Technoboy, Showtek, Wildstyles etc pioneering that sound so I have the utmost respect for the music but it just doesn’t push my buttons so Sully can keep releasing stuff under another alias if he like but I will be staying well clear, haha!

11. Where do you see yourselves, as DJs and Producers, in 5 years time?

Sully: The Hard Dance scene is a very tough nut to crack, but I really feel were in for something good. We're both tight DJ's, we've got some great ideas coming from the studio weekly and we put on a good show without playing 158 bpm Hardstyle which in these parts is a rare commodity. Also we’re very hard working, committed and 100% concentrated on bring Euro / German Hard trance back to its best days.

Matt: Euro is again on the up and up, some truly amazing producers out there giving it it’s freshest sound since 2001-2003 in my opinion. I just wanna keep concentrating on writing the best music we’re capable of and sharing it with everyone else. Also playing Friday and Saturday every weekend would be nice too!

12. Which faces on the scene are currently catching your eye?

Sully: There’s a lot of hard working DJ's and Producers about. The obvious ones right now are Kidd Kaos, JTB & Chuck -E, Cally & Juice, Log:One, Brian M & Mcbunn, Andrea Montorsi, Vandall and Louk are pushing the right buttons at the moment. Slightly less well known names such as Nick The Kid, Mindbender, Iridium, The Sixth Sense, Swankie & Kashi, Dean Zone, Teflon, Yoshi, Joe-E and Gazzy B all seem to be doing good things.

Matt: Agree with Sully on this, there are so many I could mention but will leave it as there are so many great up & coming DJ’s/Producers and feel the scene has it’s best euro music to come!

13. Magnetix is only your second ever London gig. How was your other one and what do you think of London crowds so far?

Sully: As I mentioned earlier, HDS @ Hidden was great! Clubbers were right up for it, friendly and definitely knew how to party hard.

Matt: I really can’t wait for Magnetix as I am a regular to their parties and Club 414 and have to say they have the hardest partying crowd in London, they absolutely love it there! Great promotion in London and certainly the best for Euro in the capital. Frantic HDS was just amazing, had great support from some amazing friends and the crowd generally were ace!

14. Finally, we’ll be seeing you at Magnetix in a couple of weeks. What do you have in store for us?

Sully: Our usual blend of super melodic hard trance! We've got several studio dates booked in beforehand so expect some new bangers on the night also!

Matt: Crazy jumping around arms waving, borderline Hardstyle/Hard Trance, haha!

Guys, thank you sol much for your time and I will see you at the Magnetix Beach Party @ Club 414 on Friday 31st July!!!