Raised on a diet of early techno and acid house, Squirrel has been rocking London's biggest venues since the early '90s. We spoke to the long-standing Moondance resident ahead of their next party at SeOne in June...

So, how did you first get bitten by the rave bug?

That was back in the summer of 1989. Some of my mates had been going to Camden Palace on a Friday night and suggested I go with them one weekend. For the next year and a half it pretty much became my second home as well as going to raves like Sunrise and Biology.

When did you start DJing? How was your style evolved over the years?

I didn’t actually set out to become a DJ it’s something I kind of fell into. I bought a pair of 1200s of a mate of mine in the summer of 1990 and taught myself to mix.

I became friends with Chris Paul and Action G from Fantasy FM who were doing Camden Palace on a Friday night and they asked me if I’d be up for doing a Thursday night with them at the Gas Club. This in turn led into becoming one of the residents at Camden in 1991.

I’d like to think that over the years I’ve become a lot more thoughtful with the sets that I play. When I started out I used to just take a box of records and play them, now I’m looking more on how I can keep the crown entertained without my sets becoming too mundane.

When did you first go to Moondance? Can you remember who played, what tunes were dropped, that sort of thing?

I went to my first Moondance back in January 1996 when Funki gave me my first booking. I had heard a lot about how good it was but it’s not until you get to play there do you actually realise how good.

I was DJing alongside the likes of The Ratpack, Slipmatt and Ellis Dee who were dropping tunes like Sweet Harmony, Let Me Be Your Fantasy, Lock Up, I could go on for ages.

In terms of clubbing and raves – what was your Golden Era and why?

That’s a tough one as I don’t think I’ve got one particular Golden Era but if I had to choose it would probably have to be back in 1992 when I was doing Camden Palace on a Friday and The Rocket on a Saturday. That for me would have be the era that moulded my style of DJing

What’s the most memorable set you’ve ever played?

Again that’s a toughie as there have been so many over the years but if I had to choose one it would have to be Moondance at the K2 Victoria Docks New Years Eve 1997. Not only was I asked to do the midnight set but it was also being broadcast live on Kiss.

What do you make of the whole hardcore breaks / rave breaks sound? Isn’t it just unimaginative bootlegs?

I’m yet to be convinced about whole rave breaks thing as there is some good stuff being produced but there’s also a lot of rubbish.

Personally I may play 2 or 3 tracks in with the Old Skool tracks that I play but probably no more than that. As it is at the moment I don’t see myself playing a whole set of breaks tunes.

Which DJs do you rate most highly, and which do you feel don’t get the respect / adulation they deserve?

With those that I am currently DJing at events with the most highly rated would have to be Lipmaster Mark (Ratpack), Ellis Dee, Slipmatt. Back in the day there was one DJ who for me stood head and shoulders above the rest and that was Randall, his tune selection and the way he constructed a set were awesome.

As far as DJs that don’t get the recognition they deserve there are four for me who I have done events with who readily spring to mind and they are Perry K and Lukozade (The Isotonik Crew), DJ Trix and DJ Skie the first lady of Old Skool.

The Moondance Summer Festival is just round the corner, and you’re in the main room, playing to over 1200 people. Have you ever made any serious gaffes in front of a big crowd? And do you get nervous?

That I can remember I’ve only made two howlers and that was taking the wrong needle of the record. The first time I did it was at Camden Palace and I got a big cheer from the crowd, highly embarrassing.

Yeah on the odd occasion I still do get a bit nervous, usually if I’m working for a new promoter but once I start getting into my set it goes. Normally though DJ’ing has become second nature and I always feel at ease especially if there’s a good crowd that are up for it.

What are your 3 biggest tracks of the moment? Explain your choices!

My three top tracks at the moment would have to be:

1. Who’s The Badman – Dee Patten. Top breakbeat classic that I’ve just started playing again that’s guaranteed to get a good re-action.

2. Up Tempo – Tronikhouse. Superb underground breakbeat techno track that reminds me of the Orange raves at the Rocket.

3. Pin Up Girls – Awesome 3. The definitive version of Take Me Away. Top piano classic that’s a great crowd pleaser

And finally, who’s the funniest person in the rave scene, and why?

There’s plenty of jokers in the rave scene but the most entertaining would have to be Charlie B because he’s a nutter.

Check out full details of the mighty Moondance Summer Festival, featuring Squirrel, right here: The Moondance Summer Festival