My first time: Pete Wardman, Phil Reynolds and Dr Duzzit tell me all about their first clubbing experiences in the run up to the launch of 100% Classics. Oh and I finally fess up about my first time if you make it to the end too!
Some of us have been doing it for ages and some of us are still in our honeymoon period. However, if you’re reading this then most likely you’re a party person who cherishes their first experiences on the dancefloor. Whether it was gentle or rough, it’s a common bond that we all have.
100% Classics is going to be a party that rekindles those early experiences. We're sure that you can empathise with the stories our heroes have to tell…
Pete Wardman: legendary Trade resident, starting spinning after the stripper
My first rave/festival
It was summer 1989 and I was working at Power FM on the south coast. At weekends, a bunch of us used to get together and drive up the M3 in convoy to get to "wherever it was happening that Saturday night". More often than not, we’d be chasing our own tails, listening to pirate radio stations to find out what was going on, ringing up fictional mobile numbers to get more info...you know the kind of thing.
Once in a blue moon we’d actually end up in the middle of a field where something was happening, but it was more likely we would end up on a bridge over a motorway, parked up with hundreds of other ravers, and getting moved on by the police. God, this makes me sound SO old!
My first club
I can’t remember which came first, but I can remember going to some dodgy ones in Nottingham when I was in my teens. The first one I went to in London was something at Heaven with Danny Rampling and Paul Oakenfold DJing. Can’t remember what it was called though!
My first record
10cc ‘Good Morning Judge’. Still got my 7" vinyl copy!
My first record shop
Arcade Records in Nottingham. Run by two brothers who had an encyclopaedic knowledge of all releases and what they had in stock. I used to spend hours in there.
My first DJ hero
A toss up between Carl Cox and Sven Vath.
My first set
...was whilst I was at drama school in London. As I received almost no subsidence grant as a student, I had to work to pay the bills and buy food. This is kind of before the days everyone wanted to be a DJ and I had the choice of bar work or playing records. I opted for the vinyl option and got gigs through a guy I’d met in a pub. I was playing at places like the Vauxhall Tavern, the Dover Castle in Deptford and The Green man on Edgware Road. I was normally on the decks just after the stripper had finished his act (no, I’m not joking).
My first decks
A lovely pair of Technics MK IIs which I’d scrimped and saved to buy. The first decks I ever borrowed were an old pair of belt drives; these required a different skill to master them altogether.
Dr Duzzit: free party veteran, loved the great outdoors
My first rave/festival
Back in 1990 a convoy of about 20 cars went to a World Party event in a showground somewhere in Essex. It had a funfair and about 4 circus tops. The music was hard to hear in the back of these massive tents but it was an experience and like a dream come true for a 16 year old first timer with 50 friends. Tunes like ‘Everybody’s Free’ by Rosalla and ‘Your Love’ by The Prodigy were playing and I was hooked instantly and fell in love with the scene forever.
My first club
1991/1992 Slammers in Gravesend with DJ Wigs, and Labrynth in Dalston with DJs Adrian Age and Jimmy J. Again, we were in big convoys as this was usually the way everyone went out. The party scene was exploding and we wanted to get our fill of this new craze of clubbing to trippy repetitive sounds. After a couple of years of the local police raiding warehouses and confiscating DJ equipment the only thing left was to take it to the clubs with a license to PARTY!!!
My first record
Break Dance Electro 5 Album. Halfway through the secondary school stage and break dance was the thing that all the kids were into. A piece of lino and a portable stereo and we were away!
My first record shop
Long Player Records in Kent is where I used to get my early bits from. From the sweet shop to the record shop I had found what now seems to be the way of life forever. 15 years and over 8000 tunes later here I am…
My first DJ hero
Fabio and Grooverider played an old skool [future music back in 1991 though. Ed] hardcore set at one of the numerous outdoor parties we had been attending on a regular basis across the south of England, I remember it being an illegal event in Lenham near Maidstone and there must have been 2000 people, with the sun coming up, the sides of the marquee were peeled off and the 2 DJs blew everyone away with a 3hr set.
My first set
1995 in a place called Dungeoness 5 miles past Pontins in Camber Sands on the south coast. We would take our rig with tarpaulin and set up near the power station 100 yards from the beach! The venue was a man made foundation/creator 20ft deep with a solid concrete stage and podiums. I played for a good 3/4 hours to about 150 people, this happened another 4 times over the next 2 years and we then formed EZ Duzzit in ’97, which specialised successfully in illegal parties for 5 years in Kent before moving the show to London in 2002.
My first decks
I remember me and my friend Kirk Duncan went halves on some Technics SLs belt driven and we threw a party a couple of days later in our shared flat in Tunbridge Wells. About 60/80 people turned up and we played all-night long. Anyone remember the tune ‘Tricky Disco’?
Phil Reynolds: used to wear woolly jumpers to the rave
My first rave/festival
I can’t remember the name of the party but it was in the middle of nowhere as usual. I remember it quite well as I lost the people who had driven me to it and when I came out I had no idea where the car was, plus the fact that there were about 10,000 cars in the car park made it mission impossible. By some pure fluke I managed find the car and didn’t have a 200 mile walk home!
My first club
Once again I can’t remember the name, you can tell I’m getting old! I wasabout 17 and went with a bunch of mates from college. I seem to remember being a sad fooker and was wearing a woolly jumper all night.
My first record
It would be something like KLF ‘What Time Is Love’
My first record shop
Tag records near Piccadilly Circus in London. It’s closed down now. Back then I was playing more Sasha and Digweed style and Tag was the place to be for that type of music.
My first DJ hero
Paul Oakenfold. He was the man back then. Perfecto was my favourite label and the music that came out was awesome, especially the darker more psy trance stuff in the mid-Nineties.
My first set
…was at the Soundshaft in London. Some of my mates were doing a midweek gig. I played first and had no idea how my mixing sounded as it was so different playing in a club compared to mixing at home.
My first decks
Similar to Soundlab direct drive. I really got the hang of ‘em. But when my mates came round who used Technics they really struggled. Once I bought Technics it was like a dream using them compared to the other decks.
Since Pete, Tony and Phil have all shared their deepest darkest secrets, it’s only fair in the name of democracy I do so too. But I bet you never guessed that your resident party animal was actually inspired by Inspector Morse!
Ed Real: party animal inspired by Inspector Morse
My first rave/festival
In 1992 I lived at home in Oxfordshire. Raves were all over the news and Inspector Morse had just experienced his first on the BBC! My friend Chris and I were 16 and we snuck out of his parents on a Friday night and ended up at the 15,000 capacity Mythology rave. I remember at 4am one of the huge speaker stacks fell down with lots of people dancing on top. The atmosphere was pure anarchy. It was held in Europe’s largest big top in a field (which is now Oxford service station on the M40) with the crème de la crème of hardcore DJs in one arena. Whenever I’m driving back from a gig in the midlands I always have to stop off for a Lucozade and have a quick reminisce.
My first club
Once the summer of 1992 ended we went back into the clubs and every Friday was Odyssey at Brunel Rooms in Swindon. 2,000 hardcore ravers came from the entire M4 corridor (Reading in the west to Swansea in the east). After a summer of happy rave the music went dark and hard before becoming jungle/drum and bass. Each bad boy crew had their own corner of the club with us cheesy quavers in the middle. When the club shut at 3am everyone drove to Membury services to rave in the car park! We were too young to drive so we had to get a taxi home...
My first record
Having seen them on Top of The Pops at the end of 1991, I think my first rave record was The Prodigy ‘Charley’.
My first record shop
In Oxford there was an indie shop that sold hardcore vinyl and rave tapes called Manic Hedgehog!
My first DJ hero
Our life was ruled by mix tapes recorded live at raves like Fantazia, Universe, Dreamscape and Perception. Being too young or skint to go to many parties we used to trade tapes and play them everywhere. Our heroes were Easygroove, Top Buzz, Ratty, Ellis Dee and Carl Cox. The vibes on these tapes still has to be heard to be believed. Check www.hardcorewillneverdie.com to download and live the dream!
My first set
I started my first club night Vurt in 1994 to be able to play out regularly and meet my DJ heroes. Its first event was at a club called Harry Limes in Portsmouth on a wet Monday night! We had 300 mates and I played before the headliner/techno legend Colin Favor from Kiss FM. It was kicking off but in my enthusiasm my last record blew up the monitor speaker! Taking pity on us all and being a total professional, Colin mixed a blinding set in his headphones and our legendary party was born. Every event something went wrong though — usually just as I handed over the headphones to the headliner. I’ll never forget the sight of Roni Size on his hands and knees re-wiring an amplifier that I blew up!
My first decks
Set of belt-drive Soundlab decks and a Kam mixer. Playing on Technics in a club took some getting used to.
Photos courtesy of Anushla007, Cheeky Chick, Ed Real and Vixta. Not to be reproduced without permission.
Catch Pete Wardman, Phil Reynolds, Ed Real, Dr Duzzit and many more taking you on a trip down memory lane on Friday 24th March @ 100% Classics — The Launch!
Party info:07863267141
Tickets and Guest list:Never Enough Ticket Agency 0208 352 0705
Email: neverenoughmaria@hotmail.com
More:
100% is a mission statement and we're on a mission to give you a night of unforgettable classic hard house, trance, house and old skool! Everyone's always saying how things were better back in the day - well we're bringing back in the day to The Factory on Friday 24th March and you and your friends are invited.
We've selected our favourite DJ's to showcase their favourite classic records in a no-holds-barred trip down memory lane. Whether you want to relive the glory days of Frantic, Trade, Escape From Samsara, Fevah, Convergence, Fish, X Static, Freedom, Peach, Solid Sundays, DTPM, Sunnyside Up or Riot!, we're going to be rolling out the red carpet and celebrating the biggest and best tunes London has ever heard.
Party Animals 2 Phunked Up and guests take over the second room for a night of classic house and old skool anthems. Free CD's and giveaways for those wearing headgear of a hilarious nature!
The Factory is a classic venue in itself. Located in the heart of Vauxhall (next to Underground, Mainline and Bus terminals), it's surrounded by clubbing history. Within 200m of the front door were the homes of some of London's most celebrated clubnights of the last 10 years. Set in two rooms with one of the most impressive lasers in London we've chosen this venue to be the home of 100% and we think you'll like it too.
Want to play at a future 100% party? Bring us a 60 minute mix CD-R of your favourite classics and give them to one of the team on the night and we'll see whether you're 100%!
Flyer:
-
Region:
London
Music:
Trance. Hard Trance. House. Bouncy House. Funky House. Hard House. US House. Vocal House.
DJ's:
MAIN ROOM MADNESS; Legendary hard house and hard trance
From: K8-eon 15th Mar 2006 02:16.22 Harry Limes. It's a 2 minute walk from my flat. I don't think they've updated the soundsystem since 1994
From: Dr DUZZITon 15th Mar 2006 09:19.39 Bring that beat back, 100% Classics is going to go off big time!! I cant wait for the 24th of march.....
From: Ed Realon 15th Mar 2006 10:19.27 the image of pete wardman spinning after the stripper at the RVT will haunt me forever! :-)
From: gary gorgeouson 15th Mar 2006 10:35.33 This event is going to be the TITS!
From: slackyon 15th Mar 2006 10:38.51 Wicked feature Ed - Easygroove was the fucking Don!!!! Have you got the tape where on side to it has the sample - "God, The Devil, Hell, heaven, Do you understand FINNALLY?" I used to CAIN that mix!!! Nothing like a bit of reminiscance to get you through work!
From: Ed Realon 15th Mar 2006 10:55.11 hehehe - easygroove was the daddy! i'll be digging out a few old skool tracks for my set in the second room so come and join us!
From: X-Fieldon 15th Mar 2006 11:02.04 Can't get enough classics. Check the 'back in the daze' mix on www.carlnicholson.net.
From: HHLon 15th Mar 2006 12:44.02 Real nice guys! Hope this will be a regular fixture in our clubbing calendar.
From: Stevi Don 15th Mar 2006 13:25.09 Fucking nasty!!! And Phil in his woolly jumper, hahaha, it would of come in handy if you had to walk Phil! This should be quality"
From: 2 PhUnKEd Upon 15th Mar 2006 14:04.58 Back in the days... Good times, good times. Looking forward to next weekend.
From: Type 1on 15th Mar 2006 14:54.42 great read! looking forward to playing some good ol hard beat!
From: Dr DUZZITon 15th Mar 2006 15:42.08 Dont forget to bring Classics demos down wth you on the night!!! If you fancy a set at one of our futurs events
From: ilona_free_plon 15th Mar 2006 15:51.42 Oi Oi Dr. Duzzit I hope this time I won't stuck in one room and won't miss your set. Any GL by the way?
From: Jennie Bon 15th Mar 2006 16:25.47 Good interview guys see you next week
From: Brixkittenon 15th Mar 2006 19:31.16 wicked interview, nice to hear how you all ended up nutters lol x x x cant wait for this party, is gonna be phat, go dr d, love ya
From: sexyminxon 15th Mar 2006 19:35.25 Wicked Nice one Mr Real & everyone Well looking forward to having it large Classic Stylee
From: onthebasson 15th Mar 2006 22:23.52 Reynolds and Ted still look like kids....and play like kids.
Cya in Oz soon Ted
From: gary cant danceon 16th Mar 2006 08:34.16 Go on the Duzzit never heard you play classics mate!!
i bet you got some tho old beam
From: Layon 16th Mar 2006 09:03.51 oi oi, wikid interview, c u all there!!!
From: smiley Mon 16th Mar 2006 14:29.14 Wikkid interview, nice one Duzzit! lookin forward to this party, nice line up, all the old favs
From: richbowenukon 17th Mar 2006 13:01.27 Wicked interview and all the best with the party
From: rick-hardon 17th Mar 2006 13:20.48 good feature, always nice to see how djs started off etc. hope to see you there on 24th.
From: Kris Nobleon 17th Mar 2006 17:50.02 interesting feature! the image of duzzit breakdancing is quality
From: Tam aka Chardonnayon 17th Mar 2006 18:22.01 Big Up to Dr Duzzit - you know it's gonna be special...
From: Mizz_behavinon 19th Mar 2006 09:19.39 Wicked interview, Its gonna be a brilliant night - first of more to come hopefully!
From: Dr DUZZITon 20th Mar 2006 14:03.00 Thanks for all the comments, get your names to us asap!!!
From: Lee Beazleyon 21st Mar 2006 19:05.20 oi oi hard beat is comin back and classics is right up my street
From: crazyclubber66on 21st Mar 2006 22:58.24 wow how immence is this goin to be 4 legends in one venue at one time !!!!! my hat goes off to ez duzzit over the last year he has been a major success story in the helping off my house brand kinky-u , one guy that deserves all the cred and is in this buissness for the right reasons ed and phil personal friends , true legends soz i cant be there im doin kinky-u in nottingham and then off to tidy weekender ed will see you there bro
vince
From: *Ting*on 29th Mar 2006 23:15.27 Nice one Ed. Interesting read darling. Hope you had a good party! Here's to the next one!
From: Dr DUZZITon 30th Mar 2006 08:16.31 thanks for all your support and kind comments, 100% was an awsome event and we cant wait for the next round on april 28
From: Dr DUZZITon 30th Mar 2006 08:16.59 thanks for all your support and kind comments, 100% was an awsome event and we cant wait for the next round on april 28
From: Dr DUZZITon 30th Mar 2006 08:17.05 thanks for all your support and kind comments, 100% was an awsome event and we cant wait for the next round on april 28
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