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Lenny Dee – Hard Electronic Interview Series

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Techno and Hardcore pioneer Lenny Dee started Industrial Strength Records in 1991 and put New York and American Hardcore on the map, Now on the heels of the labels 25th anniversary, ISR is touring the world with a crew of hardcore artists from all over. The tour hits the US this week with stops at Union in LA Friday, November 18 and The Paper Box in Brooklyn Saturday, November 19. We got a chance to talk to a few of the artists on the lineup, including label founder Lenny Dee about the event and the history of Industrial Strength.

THD: What inspired you to start Industrial Strength records?

I was already producing a lot of music and it became a natural progression. I wanted to inspire more artists to create Hard Electronic Music and I felt this music needed a place to grow and be heard. On my travels DJing, I also went on the hunt to seek out the most hardest electronic music I could muster up. Looking back – I did.

THD: What initially attracted you to hardcore and the harder styles of dance music? What is your favorite part of hardcore music and/or the hardcore scene?

It came from within me really. There was no hard electronic music before (maybe some gothic Ebm tracks, – if you could even find them). I made sets picking odd tracks, b-sides anything and everything and played them all back to back in my sets. I’d been doing sets all around the globe since the 80s man, so all the music i produced and mixed to this point lead me down a path as i grew as a DJ and a producer and then A&R.

What I was feeling the people were feeling. It was like magic. I grew as the feeling grew. This shit was new..

I wanted to explore electronic music to the max and have made and had hits in most major styles. Creativity lead to genres of music being realized. We made the music, and then it was called something, Techno for example….we did not go in the studio to make a ‘certain style’ — it just was. I wound up and the end of the road and stayed when I hit hardcore, but I still always look at the future.

THD: What was the hardcore and harder styles scene in America like before you started ISR? How has it changed in the last 25 years?

There was nothing here in the start of the 90’s. Frankie Bones was doing some parties at that time and we had also created club nights prior to ISR. We were pushing electronic music sounds to NYC which at that time no one cared about it.

The music was not Hard Electronic though. It become the essence of what was to come for me later on, but as I think back, it was hard for the time. Bones and I really broke down doors for NYC and this Country as a whole. No one here really realizes how much Europe actually looked to us as the leaders in electronic music. We have a earned a large place in electronic music history (they might even recognize that one day ) But here we are 25 years – still kicking ass !

THD: What is your favorite subculture or sub-genre of hardcore/hardstyle that has emerged since you started playing and producing hardcore?  

I love all styles of music in fact & listen to a vast range of things. What I play is my choice. I love to be excited by the music and play it like no other. I so like crossbreed. I think its hard edge drum n bass flavor with tight Hard electronic elements really is great new addition to Hard electronic music. It furthers the expansion of both styles while forging ahead with new music ideas pushing the growth of something new, which is a good thing no matter how you look at it.

Some styles of music are more like a description not a really a style (like ‘Techno’ is a style) and are set up with simple arrangements so an amateur can play it well. I like a challenge when I play. But I try not to diss any styles, it’s whatever people dig.

THD: What is your favorite memory from your years with ISR?

I had Laurent Garnier over to my place in Brooklyn. Laurent and I go way back, so we tried to make a track in the short time we had to work. Believe it or not we made a track on my Ruff Beats label ! It was fun and unexpected, we made a simple track, but the experience was over the top to have Laurent over in in Bensonhurst Brooklyn the home of Saturday Night Fever.  We rented a house off 86th St.  next to Lenny’s Pizza – that where Travolta ate the two slices of pizza doubled up in the start of the film.

THD: What are you most excited about for the Hard Electronic 25th anniversary shows? 

I am super chuffed to celebrate that we have been here this long !  Not many can say this in the USA, especially being we created a style of music. I think we are one of (if not the) longest running Electronic labels in the USA now.

I am excited to do this party in NYC and LA. Trauma Live have been great to deal with on the West Coast and we could not have done it without them & Rave Till Dawn. And of course our crew in Brooklyn – Distort the 909 & Kontaminated Recordings – have rocked this (w/ support from Audio Havok from the east coast too). And needless to say, I couldn’t do any of it without my partner Jules who makes it all happen, incl running the ISR and our Labels etc etc.

We’ve also made ISR25 parties in Vienna (Mechanizm), Tokyo (SuperBad Midi Breaks), Glasgow (Sector Events), Fukishima (DarkRave), showcase at ‘Radikal Styles Festival in Colombia, and have a leg in Paris with Audiogenic this Dec. These collabs are exciting and the responses have been off the chain.

‘Hard Electronic’ is a night we will do more of showcasing new & established artists, from all styles of hard electronic music. One party with all different sounds to excite the brain and body in one room. We are already talking line ups for the next one (and tour coming soon too). Get ready boys n girls – the Brooklyn Monster has woken up !

Lenny will be djing both American dates alongside heavy hitters like Unexist, Art Of Fighters, The Sickest Squad, Tymon, Rob Gee and many more. In his spare time he also has been mixing an album for up and coming artist Pop Criminal.

 ISR just released ISR 100 on vinyl as well as collaborations with Akira, Mr Madness, Jason Little, Nuke, DJ Terror and many more for the 25 Years of Industrial Strength compilation coming out this December. 

Producers keep an eye out for a new studio pack to help new and seasoned producers make original hard kick drums, featuring over 300+ bass drums and 30+ ISR artist kits.

Articles, Events, Interviews

Barnyard Boogie’s 15 Years of Fun!

As told to JAB! Recently I had the opportunity to speak with one of the coolest promotors ever, Devo of ToyMaker Music, about their upcoming 15th Anniversary of Barnyard Boogie.

Devo, congratulations on your 15th Anniversary. Why do you think Barnyard Boogie is one of the longest running shows here in the US?

Thank you. Barnyard Boogie is a traditional old skool event. We offer all varieties of Electronic Music, so there is a good feel and fun atmosphere much like at a reunion. I love that dark, illegal, underground, warehouse grunge feel of early raves and I recreate that flavor into Barnyard Boogie every year.

Devo of ToyMaker Music
Devo of ToyMaker Music

How did the idea for Barnyard Boogie come about?

Back in the day I attended Backwoods Boogie, an amazing event at a state park put on by Shawn McCarty with the blessing of Billie Most. I totally looked up to Billie and his production company, Organic Grooves, and modeled Barnyard Boogie after his events. The very first one was in a large farm garage and being on a farm, “barnyard”

just seemed the logical name to use. As a show of good faith to Billie, our first slogan was, “Back from the Backwoods.”

What changes have you made at Barnyard Boogie over the years?

The biggest change has been in the equipment. Many newer dj’s now bring their own equipment, such as controllers, with them, whereas old skoolers tend to still use turntables. Barnyard Boogie is an old skool event, so many of the djs performing on turntables. Another change is that the event has

gotten bigger and bigger. We started out with one stage and eight djs in a garage and I think about fifty people came. This year we have 8 stages with over 50,000 watts of sound on each stage, over 100 djs and a whole fairground to party on, there’s even a semi-trailer

to groove in! We’re expecting over 1000 people from all over the US, from Maine to California and all points in between. Everyone ready to dance, party and have a good time from 4pm to 8am and on.

That’s over 16 hours of Electronic Music!!!

Yep. (Smile) I feel a true rave is one where you can see the sunrise come up. In fact, one of our first Barnyard Boogies was held in an actual wooden barnhouse. As the sun rose in the morning you could see the golden rays of light slowly peak through the cracks between the wooden boards, lighting up the djs as they continued to play. It was pretty amazing.

As ToyMaker Music you’ve been promoting since 1996, what is it that motivates you to keep going?

For me it has always been my love for the music and the people. When I was younger I listened to hip hop and was really impressed by the people I saw doing tricks on the turntables. Later when I was older in high school, I’d sneak out of the house and go to parties at the local university. It was there that I saw those same turntables with djs spinning Electronic Music and I was hooked. Nowdays when someone comes up to me and says, “Hey, I was at your show and had an awesome time”, then I know I’m doing a great thing and I’m psyched to start planning for the next show. I’d like to say a big thank you to all those involved, that special someone, who inspires me to “just be me”, Bleep, my head coordinators, and the over 40 volunteers we have this year. We couldn’t do it without you!

ToyMaker Music Productions
ToyMaker Music Productions

I have often wondered why you hold Barnyard Boogie in November, seems a cold time of year to be on a farm in Illinois.

(Laughs) Since Barnyard Boogie started it has taken place on a farm, where we use neighboring fields for parking. Because of this, we have to wait until the crops are taken out in the Fall. At first, this was purely a logistical decision, now it has become a tradition. Barnyard Boogie fills the calendar gap between Halloween and Christmas raves. November is a traditional time of giving thanks and having the event out in the fields, in a sense, is our way as ravers of saying thanks to mother-nature in a very up close and personal and way. Plus I get to wear my cowboy hat. (Laughs) This year we will also be donating to cancer research along with hosting our annual food drive for the local food pantry.

As far as keeping warm, our 15th Anniversary slogan is “We’re gonna get your bodies MOOving!” To help us accomplish this we have invited djs like Hyperactive, Forest Green, Jen Mas, Miss K FunkTM and Alfonz Delamota. The stages are also all indoors, we’ve got some great vendors, amazing acts and of course the ToyMaker mascot teddy bears.

That sounds really awesome, DevoTM. Thanks for talking with us and we wish you all the best for ToyMaker Music’s 15th Anniversary of Barnyard Boogie coming up on November 12th in Amoy, IL.

Details and tickets can be found at

www.toymakermusic.org

www.facebook.com/events/782339618572621/?ti=as.

Announcements, Articles, Interviews

Satroniq – Hard Electronic Interview Series

In preparation for the upcoming celebration of Industrial Strength Records’ 25th anniversary at the Paper Box in Brooklyn, we’re talking to some of the artists on the lineup. Today we spoke with Satroniq about his history with ISR and what to expect from him on November 19th. Catch him spinning with Delirium in the second room alongside Kontaminated and Audio Havok artists.

HD: How long have you been working with Industrial Strength?

My first solo release on ISR was in 2007. Little known fact: I also did a lot of album covers for ISR around that time and website work.
 

HD: What is your favorite memory working with ISR?

The early ISR parties at CBGB’s were really cool because I get to say I played at CBGB’s! Being a huge fan of punk, this was a great moment for me to stand on the same stage as The Ramones (even if I was dj’ing instead of rocking in a band). 
 
 HD:What initially attracted you to Hardcore and the harder styles? what has kept you coming back to produce and mix and perform?
It was like the new punk rock. Anyone with a laptop could take/steal/mash/screw/chop any sounds up into an aggressive maelstrom. These days the production has gone way up but I always feel like there could be some surprises coming down the pike. 
 

HD: What do you think sets American Hardcore apart from other styles and scenes? What do you enjoy about performing at shows in New York City?

The American hardcore scene has some real die-hard fans who are more appreciative when we get top caliber acts here as it’s not something you see in the States every day. I live in New York city so I love seeing my peers jamming out to the harder styles that I love! 
 

HD: Do you have anything special planned for the ISR 25 anniversary party?  

I’m going to be doing something a lot of people haven’t heard yet. I will be doing a Satroniq set rather than Satronica. I have been focused recently on a new record label that works very closely with ISR to explore the harder sounds of edm that don’t quite fit into the “hardcore” category. Think subground, freestyle, and rawstyle.

Satroniq has a new collaboration with Delirium out now on their label Kontaminated Recordings, check it out here.
Articles, RANKED!

Amnesys RANKED! The Best 5 Tracks EVER?

Dario Renzi, known under the stage name Amnesys, is an Italian hardcore and gabber DJ and producer working under the famous label Traxtorm Records. His career starts when, in 2001, he records a demo and personally gives it to Cristian Itali, aka Impulse Factory.

In 2004, under Impulse Records, Amnesys releases his first official EP, named The Ultimate Motherfucker, which is still played at raves today. These tracks earned him the recognition of two big names in the industry, Maxx and Giangy, also known as The Stunned Guys. The two artists scouted him and helped him release two other EP’s under Impulse Records. After that, Dario was deemed ready to jump to the real deal: producing and releasing tracks under the giant Traxtorm Records.

In 2007, Amnesys officialy becomes a Traxtorm Records artist and releases his first EP under this label. Those four tracks will truly mark the beginning of his career and propel him to the rank of a big player on the hardcore scene. He gets booked for several big parties, and his latest release, “Worldwide Crisis”, gets voted best record of the year by the MOH Radio live-show audience.

Now, let’s discover listen together to Amnesys’s best 5 tracks and enjoy them to the last!

  1. Worldwide Crisis:

Which track to start with if not the one that propelled Amnesys to fame? Listening to this, everyone can understand why it was voted best record of the year in 2008. Even the stiffest people will dance to it, so it’s not a surprise that hardcore techno fans and party animals alike went crazy for it.

  1. Underground Revolution:

This is one of the most played tracks by DJs all over the world, and we can clearly get why! Only someone deaf wouldn’t go wild when listening to it, and we here suspect even people with hard hearing would feel the beat in their bones and dance to it!

  1. Catastrophes:

Get ready for a wild ride! The powerful beats will make you head bang, so be sure of taking some pain killers if you don’t want your neck to feel stiff. Yes, that’s how addictive this track is. And the neck pain is real after listening to that one, believe us, we’ve been through it and it was totally worth it!

  1. The Ultimate Motherfucker:

This is one of the artist’s first releases. Even back then, he had that crazy kick that makes his music so unique. Listen to it and feel the genius!

  1. Elevation:

Last but not least, one of Amnesys’s most famous releases. The powerful sounds go really well with the overall futuristic vibe of this track.

Since his early beginnings, Dario has been tacking the hardcore industry by storm and he’s not about to stop his rise to the title of Master of hardcore. Indeed, in those last years, he has been booked by several big promoters and famous clubs. So, make sure to watch him closely, he’ll definitely leave his mark on the hardcore scene.

For more info about Amnesys, check out his Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/DjAmnesys/

Articles, RANKED!, Reviews

DJ Thera: Five Thumpin’ Tracks you gotta know!

Pieter Heijnen, known for the fans as DJ Thera, is a raw hardstyle DJ and producer. He is also the founder of the famous label Theracords. Son of a musician, he started playing several instruments at an early age, but as he said it himself, he was too stubborn to play in a band, and his musical taste always aimed towards electronic music, so it was only natural that he would become a DJ.

His tracks are known for being unique and positive, and his art has established a brand new sound design in the rawstyle world. It’s powerful, melodic, hard and energetic, a combination bound to be successful.

From Canada to Australia, and even Russia, DJ Thera has performed pretty much everywhere in the last few years, proving that a diverse set of sounds in raw hardstyle never hurts. His popularity has been growing since his first album release and it doesn’t look like it’s going to change anytime soon, given the huge fan-base he has created for himself all over the world.

Check out these thumpin’ DJ Thera tracks:

  1. The Paranormal:

A mix between raw hardstyle and trance, this track is a perfect description of DJ Thera’s musical style. This combination of sounds has been called “the new era of hardstyle” by more than one specialist, and we can see why. It’s new, it’s fresh, but most of all, it’s perfect for raving!

  1. It’s a Fine Day:

This collaboration with Yuna-X shows how open minded DJ Thera can be with his musical creations. The sounds here are at the same time fast and soft, creating a perfect harmony.

  1. The Alliance:

Another collaboration that went extremely well for DJ Thera! Dark sounds and mysterious vibes, we can imagine this being played in a masked rave.

  1. Desolation:

Be ready to headbang like a madman, because this is what this track will do to you! The storytelling in it is great, but what’s better is the crazy strong beat that is definitely not for the faint of heart!

  1. Hate Society:

If you’re feeling rebellious, then this is the track for you! This song is for the freaks, the odd ones, the outsiders and the alien ones. It’s a cry of rebellion, a literal “F***you” to a society that doesn’t accept difference.

DJ Thera is a strong artist, with years and years of experience behind him. But more than that, he’s a visionary who knew that to be a good producer, you have to think outside the box and be unique.

To know more about DJ Thera, look up his Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/DjTheraOfficial/

Or… go to his upcoming show Dec. 3, 2016 in Los Angeles, WINTERFRESH MUSIC FESTIVAL!