PunchFunk is BACK!! We've missed the boys terribly but thankfully Friday signals the return for Portsmouth's best loved house and techno night as they team up with Breakneck once again to rock the Pier. I caught up with Dave Robertson and Jon Gurd ahead of their first ever live B2B on Friday.

Hi, firstly how are you both doing and how has 2007 been for you?

Dave & Jon: 2007 has been good, we’ve had our second release on CR2 and they’ve just signed a track of ours called “Another T”. We’ve also completed a few remixes this year for artists like James Talk & James Harcourt.

Dave: I have just started my own label “Reveal Music”, 1st release is due out in Sept/Oct. This will be a platform for me to release my own music.

Jon: It’s been a good year so far, very busy, i’ve played at sankeys, turnmills, ministry and been abroad too brazil, Russia, china, Latvia and Lithuania. Just had a baby girl too!

As separate artists you’ve both produced some great tracks and of course together you created “The Rendition”, an awesome tune which received massive support when it was released, also including a Sébastien Léger good clock mix. Were you surprised at the success of the tune?

Yes we were very surprised; although we were both really happy with it you never know what reactions it will get. It was good to see support from dj’s such as Carl Cox, Steve Lawler and Laurant Garnier... Les Denis said it made the frogs dance in his pond when he kicked out the sounds.

Good old Les! Did you create the alias “The Rendition” with becoming a live act in mind?

No, we just started out by writing a few tracks together. After a while we realised we had enough music for a whole set, we thought it would be a good idea to put something together.

How will the live B2B technically work and what equipment will you use?

Normally Dave will be playing his mandolin with Jon playing soft sounds from a stretched leather sock in the background... but for this event we have 2 laptops both running Ableton Live 6, 2 midi controllers and a midi keyboard. Jon will be sequencing the track live, while Dave will be putting in loops and effects throughout.

How would you describe the sound of “The Rendition”?

There’s too many people saying they make techhousetrancefunkUSandgroove music, but we’re not quite sure what that means so we’ll just say house and techno.

Both of you have been firm favourites with the PunchFunk faithful for some time. What do you think PunchFunk brings to the scene and what does Punchfunk personally mean to you?

There wasn’t much happening in Portsmouth a few years back in house and techno. Punchfunk revived it very well and has been doing well ever since on the south coast and beyond. We really enjoy playing for our local night, even though Vaux’s teeth are the biggest in the northern hemisphere. We’re sure he could get sponsored by Aquafresh.

Jon tell me about “Kill-a-watt” (cool name!), your record label?

Basically its just a platform for me to release my tracks on, i’ve also signed a couple of tracks from local lad Ash Turner which are rather snazzy. There’s a few Renditon tracks and a few solo bits from me coming out soon, so keep your eeears to the ground.

As a former Slinky resident what do you think about the move from Bournemouth to Portsmouth?

Erm... to be honest I don’t know too much about it, I haven’t worked with them for a couple of years now... they are a good bunch of people and they really helped me get started in the DJ world so I wish them all the best in their new home.

Dave last time we met you said playing more golf was big on your list of things to do this year, have you found time to improve your game… or have you spent more time at the 19th hole?

I’m now a member at Waterlooville golf club, so yes more time on the course!!

I used to waitress there! Remember to have a cheese & ham toastie for me!

Finally a few quick fire questions:

If I gave you a call what would I hear when your phone rang? Any crazy frog badness or something more subtle perhaps?

Ring Ring, or the sound of Rod Hull chewing Orbit Complete.

Favourite VST or piece of hardware?

Korg Poly Six i have as a VST and I would love a real one!

Favourite takeaway?

Thai. Kebab, Parsnips.

Albert or Gaiety?

Dave: gaiety.
Jon: albert

If I saw you looking thirsty behind the decks what should I dash to buy you, from the bar?

Whisky & Coke but not much coke, or cream of mushroom soup.

If a film were made about you what actor would you like to play you in the feature film?

Dave: Eugine levy.
Jon: Tony Blair

And finally the big question….what’s your favourite underwear??

Pants or sultana woven tea towel.

LOL! Thanks guys :)

So - what more do you need? The return of Chris & Si (welcome back lads!), the first ever Rendition B2B live set and Justin Robertson at the helm - if you missed him last time you REALLY missed out, he is fantastic. All that and of course the mighty Breakneck in the back room too.

It's gonna be a night to remember, make no mistake! Make sure you are a part of it..