Hi Mike, or Lusty as you're better known to us. How are you? And who are you, to the lesser known? (Introduce Blessed in there somewhere, and hint MC Lust)

Hello Danny I’m fandabby, thanks for asking. To the lesser known my name is Mike or to the even lesser known Lusty. Who am I.. good question.. Erm I run Blessed in Kettering which is a Hardhouse night usually every 8 weeks at Level Three. I co-run Breed Digital which is coming to an end next month by way of name change to ‘Funky Disko’ – exciting times ahead for the label. My musical style is that of funky/groovy/chunky Hardhouse with a nice uplifting melody. I’m managed by Encore Music Management who are nothing short of fantastic and do wonders. The name Lusty derived from my other industry name of MC Lust – simple change but both hold a lot of meaning haha. I’ve had around 30 releases to date under various guises and many more in 2009 planned.. My first release was in 1997 with Bassline Kickin’ which appeared on Happy Trax as part of a 3 track 12” EP by myself which also appeared on a couple of big compilation albums. My favourite production to date has to be ‘Back to the Future’ which came out on Deprived of Funk with Digital Kid. An apt title linking back to my first big rave @ ESP/Dreamscape!

So who's MC Lust?

Well MC Lust came about in early 1992 – a budding raver from 1991 he was regularly seen wandering around aimlessly at such clubs as Eclipse in Coventry which later became the Edge, Club Kinetic in Stoke-on-Trent, Equinox @ Milwaukee’s in Bedford & many others. Starting MC’ing at a pub in Kettering - which was called Manny’s (now called Watercress Harry). Used to work on a record stall in Northampton, got talking to Gary Clarke (Dougal’s Dad), passed him a demo cd which was listened to by Murray (RIP) who was the promoter @ ESP/ Dreamscape. My first big event was ESP @ The Roadmender in Northampton called Back to the Future (put 2 and 2 together and you’ll get the title of a record released not so long ago with Digital Kid). I then went on to MC at early Dreamscape events such as event 5 in Hull and Club Dreamscape events @ Club Rage in Leicester. The oldskool days were amazing.. Met a lot of fantastic people and certainly seen some sights. Over the years I appeared at such events as Amnesia House, Hyperbolic, DieHard, Helter Skelter, Goldiggers, Evolution & resident MC @ Equinox for a few years with Juiceman. Left hardcore in 1997 to start listening to the old handbag stuff, Tony De Vit & what was to be my escalation into Hardhouse.

You won't mind me saying you're not the youngest guy on the scene, but you're far from the newest. When and where do you come from?

A far away planet where love making in public streets was permitted and fetishes was a form of cake. Now into my 17th year of clubbing and still have the love & desire to do another 17..!

17 years? That's some partying! What drew you in all those years ago? Tell us a little about some of those parties.

Like I’ve already stated – the oldskool days were fantastic. Back then it was a lot happier, everyone got on with just about everyone.. You would meet a set of new friends at every event – there wasn’t any politics & ballocks back then – it was a happy zone @ raves – it was the way it was back then!

Some might say the nineties were the best years, do you agree? As you've practically spanned both decades.

I would have to say so, definitely. The music scene has changed so much since I came in to it.. People keep banging on about how the scene is dead.. It’s far from dead so these people need to fuck off and do some knitting or just stop talking shite. However it’s fair to say the scene has taken a dent somewhat but that also happened around 1997 with hardcore – look at it now and that’s how Hardhouse will elevate!

Your music style has changed during that time, when and why did that come about?

Well, hardcore had an uplifting vibe, a feel good factor.. massive breakdowns, huge piano riffs, vocals and stabs – there was nothing more amazing than seeing a full club of say 3000 going fucking ballistic to a breakdown, the atmosphere it created was incredible and sights like those will always remain with me. With Hardhouse production I always try to create small parts of hardcore with a happy uplifting sound and a ‘feel good’ breakdown.. As many of the engineers I’ve worked with will tell you it’s the first thing I demand – happy, uplifting & bangin’! The sound at the moment has to be the strongest in years – Paul Maddox is a genius and it’s his particular sound and production that’s creating a more uplifting sound!

I suppose it's always going to change. What were your highlights in the nineties and of the last 8 years?

Best moments would have to be the start of Blessed. Worst moments would have to be the start of Breed Management – a complete failure but it was an experience for sure & one I shall never venture into again. We all make mistakes in life but we also learn from these mistakes.. Only good thing to come of that was the introduction to the industry of artists like Scott Fo-Shaw, Audio-Hedz, Gaz Hunt, Sumbo. I have to respect other artist agencies as I know first hand just how much work is involved!

Where do you see the scene in the next five years or so?

Well with the current climate in the UK today it’ll be a case of has any fucker got any money to actually pay to get into a club. It’s harsh out there at the moment but Hardhouse is not going anywhere so we’ll still be here in 5 years time.

You're involved (in some way) with a lot of parties in the midlands, what's your favourite party, and what do you look forward to the most? (Apart from Blessed)

That’s easy.. Xstatic all the way baby! What Jimmy has done for that brand is unbelievable. I kind of expect clubbers to think a date is set, DJ’s are booked and that’s it, job done! Far from it.. as I’m sure any promoter will tell you haha!

What new sounds are you liking at the moment? And what is your most favourite tune of all time?

Err.. I’ve always been for anything Mr Maddox creates, fresh and clean production is his forte. As well as Paul’s stuff you have Scott Fo-Shaw’s fantastic creations.. He is a genius and has come on greatly over the past couple of years. Favourite tune.. always a hard one. Would have to be TDV – The Dawn (Paul Janes Remix).. It’s just a tune that holds a lot of good memories for a lot of people.

This will be your 2nd visit to D-Railed, you played in the main room for our launch, what can we expect from your alternative set for OFF THE TRACKS? And will you bring your Valentine?

Brilliant club, clubbers & atmosphere.. Really enjoyed the previous visit – D-Railed are a fresh new brand who are already making waves with a nice gathering of loyal followers already. I’m not sure about bringing my Valentine – My missus does not favour Hardhouse at all.. although she has Heavens Cry as her ringtone so I’m not too sure.. My alternative set will feature some classics.. Roy Orbison, The Carpenters and a live rendition of ‘I did it my way’! Well to be more serious I plan a 1992-1997 oldskool Happy hardcore set which I’ll also be MC’ing whilst DJ’ing – It’s the first time I’ve done such a thing but expect a few laughs and some seriously uplifting tunes!!

That's wicked! That will be fun, something different! Lets finish off with a quick fire round;

1.Hard House or Hard Dance? HARDHOUSE!!!!!!!!!
2.Lisa or Andy? (You can answer that twice if you like) Aww I love both of them.
3.Club or Country? Club with a tickle of Country!
4.House or Electro? Electro
5.Chicken or Beef? Chicken
6.Sugar or Shit? You can smoke shit but I’ve never tried smoking sugar!

Thanks for you time Mike, and we look forward to your alternative set at D-Railed's Valentine's Special.