Steve O’Brady was a phenomenal DJ who sadly passed away in early 2008.

His huge personality made him well known and well liked in the hard dance scene, and his loss was felt by many the country over.

As a regular at Frantic events, we felt that we should remember him in a way he would have loved – and we feel that the time is right to put on a night with some of his closest friends, favourite DJs and many of his inspirations.

Join us at Hidden on Friday 9th January to celebrate Steve’s life and help us raise money for Cancer Research UK & C.A.L.M, both charities close to Steve’s heart.

For more information on the 2 charities see the bottom of this article.

We asked 2 of his closest friends, Cooki and Kevsey D, some questions about Steve, and about why people should join us for his memorial night this Friday.

You were obviously both really close to Steve, how did you both meet him?

Cooki: I met Steve in the Leeds hard dance scene, watching him at the likes of Savaged and Housewives Choice. His music style was the spitting image of mine, driving, powerful and fun. We hit it off in no time at all, and after a trip to Oh My God in Doncaster along followed a true friendship.

Kevsey: I first met Steve at the Hard Dance Awards @ The Fridge a few years back now, he won a comp for 4clubbers and the chance to play at the Hard Dance Awards. His set was amazing and got a lot of people to notice him. Steve was going out with my ex-girlfriends sister so the four of us spent a lot of time together. He was a real people person; he always had time to chat to clubbers and to get to know them. If Steve was not behind the decks you could probably find him doing the Northern wiggle on the dancefloor. His name travelled about the country fast and alot of people became friends with him.

Tell us a bit about him.

Cooki: Steve was the kind of person who could light up a room by just walking in it, he could control the thoughts of every person stood around him just by his presence. He was the cheekiest person I’ve ever met and had the kind of attitude which got respect from everybody. In respect of DJing he had the worst O.C.D ever, if it didn’t layer right, or the basslines didn’t fit, then the mix wasn’t worth doing.

Kevsey: He was a truly great friend who meant a lot to me, full of passion when it came to music and the hard house scene and could always read the crowd and knew exactly what tunes to put on. Steve always had time for his friends and could always put a smile on your face. A funny and cheerful guy and I enjoyed all the time that I spent with him.

What’s your favourite memory of him?

Cooki: There are so many; watching him play his bounce set at Tidy Weekender 11, travelling down to Dorset after he had won a DJ competition, him constantly giving me stickers to give out at the Hard Dance Awards, and travelling all over Great Britain to so many different gigs. We travelled so many miles to so many different events, I loved that, we had to have an O’Brady mix on the stereo, as everywhere he would commandeer the sound system!

Kevsey: It would def be Tidy Weekender 12 Oct 07. We travelled there in a big pink limo with some real goods friends and had the best weekend ever.

And what was the best set you ever saw him play? Why does it stand out for you?

Cooki: Oh my god, possibly the hardest thing to answer ever. Can I give my top five?
• Tidy Weekender 11
• Parlez-Vous? (The set he recorded which finished on Miss Shiva – Dreams)
• Escape Gets Filthy (The first play out of Show Me The Way)
• Overload at the Fort (Because it was the most random event ever!)
• Hard Dance Awards 06, as this set made him

Kevsey: I saw him play a lot of sets and they were always great; the crowd would always go mad when Steve was up behind the decks. Best set for me that I saw Steve play was for Frantic's 10th birthday @ Koko. It was awesome to see him play in that amazing main room, he always wanted to play there. He totally rocked and got the place going.

What are you going to be doing for your tribute set for Steve?

Cooki: Kevsey and I will be playing the tracks which we knew Steve caned, loved and made. From BK – Bad Ass, to Darren Styles – Save Me (Technikal Remix) to his much loved Time 2 Switch.

Kevsey: There's only one way to go about it and that is to play a set just how Steve loved to and how he would have played!! Me and Cooki played a tribute set for Steve last year for Slinky and it was absolutely brilliant!! Full of O'Brady energy.

Friday night’s takings will be given to charity. How were the 2 charities chosen – C.A.L.M. and Cancer Research UK?

Cooki: Cancer Research UK was a charity that has always been supported by Steve, and James Condon found out about C.A.L.M., to help stop what has happened happening to any other people anywhere.

Kevsey: It means a lot to me that these charities have been chosen. It will mean loads to Steve's family also.

And how were the DJs chosen for Friday night?

Cooki: Every DJ booked either supported, played b2b with, produced a track with or was loved by Steve. It took a lot of mulling over and time thinking about, but I definitely feel the lineup represents the people who were involved with Steve’s career.

Kevsey: All the DJ's on the line-up had a really good relationship with Steve, I'm sure it’s going to be emotional for everyone that plays as much as an honour its gonna be too!!

It’s bound to be quite an emotional night, but hopefully will be a positive experience and will raise money for 2 worthwhile charities. What are you looking forward to about Steve’s Memorial night?

Cooki: I hope that the event manages to raise a good amount of money for the causes which have been chosen, and I also hope that the event manages to bring together all the people who were close to Steve so that they can all remember him in the setting that they most likely knew him.

Kevsey: I'm looking forward to seeing a few people that I haven't seen in a while and I can't wait to hear what all the DJ's have in store for us, it sure is gonna be an emotional night but I'm sure it will be full of smiles and happiness.

Any final words?

Cooki: Thank you to every DJ who has supported this event, and to every clubber who is showing their support. This event is for Steve, and is everything about what epitomised him within this scene in which he so strove to be the best. Finally, Steve, I miss you like crazy, there are so many things I want to show you, want you to hear and want to still do with you. You were a great friend, take care buddy.

Kevsey: It would do me great honour to see loads of faces down at Hidden this Friday. It really means a lot to me that his name will live on for along time in everyone's hearts.
Steve's memory will live on forever so lets share all of our memories together and celebrate Steve's life and what an amazing person he was…MISS YA LOADS FELLA!!!

C.A.L.M. is a charity dedicated to cutting the suicide among young men in the UK. For more information see: www.thecalmzone.net

Cancer Research UK support research into all aspects of cancer – from science lab to patient’s bedside. Their website can be found at: www.cancer.org.uk

If you can’t make it to Hidden this Friday but would still like to make a donation in Steve’s name please visit our Just Giving page: www.justgiving.com/steveobrady

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