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When word started to spread over social media about Utah’s upcoming annual St. Patrick’s themed rave ‘Get Lucky’, the hype surrounding the event was insurmountable. Utah’s sole proprietor of electronic music, V2 Presents, had started to announce the lineup in phases. It wasn’t long after the announcement of the Disciple Tour members Barely Alive, Dodge & Fuski, and Astronaut did the company announce the arrival of Lady Faith and the Italian legend himself TECHNOBOY! At that moment, it was decided instantaneously that I would be attending this gold and green massive for the first time ever.

Inside the Tent O’ Gold [Harder Stage] at V2 Presents #GetLuckySLC 2016. Photos: @ballenmedia

Immediately upon entering the The Great Saltair I had to admit that the production of this show was much higher than any other rave of V2‘s in recent memory; also, I discovered as I was rummaging hastily through the crowd that Utah finally had a rave that was actually worth the trip for out-of-state ravers! Finally, I managed to arrive at the Tent O’ Gold (the harder stage) where I remained for the rest of the night, naturally. First on, the ‘Disciple Tour’: a beautiful blend of Drum & Bass by Dodge & Fuski, Trap and two-step by the humble Astronaut and an appearance by the experimental bass music duo Barely Alive which drastically helped cushion the blow of a high priced ticket. These guys kept their sets seamless between each other that you couldn’t even tell who was on next until you looked up and noticed a different face! True heavyweight champs in their respective genres. Then suddenly, the entire atmosphere shifted, and I couldn’t believe what I was witnessing:

Technoboy appeared at midnight to a tightly packed and maniac crowd (who surprisingly remained throughout the entire two hours of Hardstyle)! As he played through all the popular main stage bangers, he also played some more aggressive tracks at the end of his set (however there was no appearance of his Qlimax 2008 anthem ‘Next Dimensional World’, but that was only a minor disappointment) and that aggression was absorbed and distributed outward by the crowd as some mosh pits were opened and people were being launched into the air. But now, it was time to make way for the “Queen Bitch of the Universe”, LADY FAITH! This stunning woman kept that same amount of energy and aggression going throughout the last hour ending on a Rawstyle note; if only I was able to remember her last track! Unfortunately, due to the time change at the 2:00 am hour, the venue had to quickly close up as it was now in violation of our local laws (shows/events may not continue past two in the morning) and due to the force out by venue security, I was unable to get an interview with either one of the stars shortly after Lady Faith’s set.

At the end of the night, however, it was empowering and reassuring to see the impact of Hardstyle on the local crowd. Utah clearly has the intense desire and passion for the harder styles and by some stroke of luck (or the right people in the right ears) V2 managed to pull through for all us (finally!). We can only hope that they were there to witness the certain impact of their workings and that this event will prompt them to bring out even more Hard acts to the Great Salt Lake.

All photos courtesy of: @ballenmedia

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March 19, 2016 DJ Deadly Buda

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Articles, Reviews

Field Report 7: Trauma Live’s Harder Styles Tour 2016: Brooklyn

February 29, 2016 DJ Deadly Buda

The final stop of Trauma’s Harder Styles Tour touched down in Brooklyn Saturday night. As anticipated, the venue was packed with attendees bouncing off the walls. Right off the bat is was amazing to see Lenny Dee and Rob Gee on their home turf, in the borough that made them worldwide names. Rob Gee played his greatest set on the entire tour, and frankly it might have been the single most uplifting and inspiring set –of all sets—on the tour. Rob Gee has always had something special with audiences, but Saturday night in particular he hit a resonant melody with the audience who were 100% in sync with his hardcore vibe.

Dj Deadly Buda at Trauma Harder Styles Tour 2016: Brooklyn — DJ Deadly Buda at Trauma Harder Styles Tour 2016: Brooklyn

But, I’m getting ahead of myself, literally. Yours truly got to open up the night, and thankfully the sound-system was 100% on point, and there was already a crowd ready to rock. I got a chance to bust out some of my favorite tracks from the Next Cyclone label, which are rarely played, and the crowd was well into it. I also got to spin on 4 decks at once, an infrequent pleasure at hardcore shows where oftentimes we are lucky to even be using modern CD-Js!

DJ Stefanie at Trauma Harder Styles Tour 2016: Brooklyn

After I did my stuff, Reactor and Pulsators hit the decks and rocked the crowd with some hardstyle, leading up to the night’s headliner, DJ Stefanie. Basically, she tore it up, showing the USA why she is a big favorite in Europe and even showcased one of her latest tracks. I had the pleasure of filming her live feed on Facebook for the first half hour too. Most of her set it could be seen worldwide!

Lenny Dee at Trauma Harder Styles Tour 2016: Brooklyn

Next up was Lenny Dee. As always, it’s a pleasure to see Lenny Dee rocking it in his own backyard. The tough industrial sounds had the ravers rocking to and fro. Hardcore historians know that Lenny Dee might be considered the original hardcore DJ of which we know in the modern era, and to see him in his element, where the sounds were heard that would later inspire the world, was truly moving. He was followed by his frequent partner-in-cacophony, Rob Gee.

Tim Shopp at Trauma Harder Styles Tour 2016: Brooklyn

Satronica then hit the decks and continued the holiday of hardcore that had taken over Brooklyn’s legendary club Verboten, leading to up-and-coming, Tim Shopp, who did double duty on the main stage and the second room, keeping the crowd busy the entire night. Tim tore the cap off a shaken pop-bottle of speedcore madness that drove the crowd wild, giving a sneak preview of the coming wave of American Hardcore.

Rob Gee at Trauma Harder Styles Tour 2016: Brooklyn

Initially looking back on the tour at this early stage of reflection, I think there were tremendous gains made for the American hardcore EDM/Techno scene. Whereas the crowds were not sell-outs, they were decent and more importantly, everyone had a great, and sometimes life changing time. Dealing with music so much on an everyday basis, we music insiders often lose track of how important finding that new sound is to the concert goer… as we count the beans and talk the numbers. Sure, it’s an aspect that cannot be ignored, but ultimately life is remembered in experiences, and Trauma Live made sure to give people an experience they’ll never forget, and I can’t wait to see what happens to this scene next.

DJ Stefanie and Lenny Dee at Trauma Harder Styles Tour 2016: Brooklyn

Articles, Reviews

Trauma Field Report 6: Pittsburgh PA

February 27, 2016 DJ Deadly Buda

I was born in Pittsburgh, DJed my first rave in Pittsburgh, and when asked where I am from I always want to say Pittsburgh, even if I haven’t had a mailing address there in decades. So it was with keen anticipation that I looked forward to the Pittsburgh edition of the Trauma Harder Styles Tour 2016, and it lived up to the hype in my subconscious.

Meccano Twins at Trauma Live's Harder Styles Tour 2016: Pittsburgh — Meccano Twins at Trauma Live’s Harder Styles Tour 2016: Pittsburgh

Every stop on the tour has its unique flavor, and the stop in the Steel City could be best described as one of child-like enthusiasm and fun. Being the least populated city on the tour, that was reflected in the attendance, however, for those that made it out in the 20 degree Fahrenheit cold, it was a life changing and transformative event that most will recognize a few years from now, and one that I see now, simply based on my past experience in this realm.

Tommyknocker at Trauma Live's Harder Styles Tour 2016: Pittsburgh — Tommyknocker at Trauma Live’s Harder Styles Tour 2016: Pittsburgh

There was a crowd of old and new last night. There were a few attendees, such as Dario Kenning, who attended Pittsburgh’s first rave on December 13, 1991, the Psychotronic Slack Rave. Dan Mross and Colby Newton, veterans of the Turbo Zen days, were also in attendance. They were joined by a new breed of ravers, getting a taste of hardcore for the first time, or at least the first time live.

In fact, that was the interesting thing, all along the tour. In the early rave days, we were introducing a hodge-podge of music to the crowd, blending it together and making something new. Hardcore EDM, or techno if you like, harkens back to that pivotal moment in rave history. It was the point where the ravers made their own sound. That sound is an alternative sound to the mainstream, so that in many ways the evolution of hardcore is unrecognized in the mainstream, and why it feels so fresh and exciting when the curious party-goer stumbles upon it, or searches and finally finds it. It feels different when you are there, and you know it.

I started off the night playing some new tracks created by Subterranean and Nickolai, remixes of my old “Playing Echoes in Your Head” EP from 1996, a 20 year old record that still sounds fresh today, and now even fresher with the updates. I was followed by Buzz Fuzz, SRB, Meccano Twins and then Tommyknocker. Tommyknocker really knocked it out of the park last night, his set was spot on, tight and driving. No disrespect to myself, SRB, Buzz and Meccano, we all played nice sets, but the crowd finally arrived during Tommy’s set and he made sure they got their money’s worth once they stepped on the dance floor. Up next was the crowd favorite, hardstyle heroine, DJ Stefanie. She had the crowd bopping away, and was probably the most popular last night.

Dr. Peacock at Trauma Live's Harder Styles Tour 2016: Pittsburgh — Dr. Peacock at Trauma Live’s Harder Styles Tour 2016: Pittsburgh

MC RTSier of Rotterdam Terror Corps at Trauma Live's Harder Styles Tour 2016: Pittsburgh — MC RTSier of Rotterdam Terror Corps at Trauma Live’s Harder Styles Tour 2016: Pittsburgh

Dr. Peacock was up next, and played what might have been his best set on the tour so far. I didn’t think he could surpass the Denver show, but his sweet melodies and international flavor really enraptured the crowd last night. I might be tempted to say he had my favorite set of the night, but it would be a close coin-flip between all the stars. Let’s put it this way: last night I started to understand what all the buzz was about Dr. Peacock. He’s doing something different, and the crowd is getting into it.

Rotterdam Terror Corps assaulted the stage next with their trademarked brand of chaos. Huge kick drums, terror noises, scary make-up and gabber strippers whipped the crowd into a frenzy. Then, as has been the tradition on the tour, Rob Gee wrapped up the show with his recent tracks, and then ended with a classic, “Ecstacy, You Got What I Need,” which is coming up on its 20 year anniversary. Apparently there is going to be a number of remixes coming out this year by top hardcore artists. The icing on the cake was when Rob made sure to do a final encore for the fans.

I hurried up to the door, and passed out the last few copies of The HARD DATA, and then kicked it with some of my homies from back in the day. Next up, the home of USA hardcore, Brooklyn, NYC. Until then, remember…

The rhythm is life and death!

-Deadly Buda

Articles, Reviews

Field Report 4: Trauma in Mesa AZ

February 20, 2016 DJ Deadly Buda

As my plane touched down on the sun-baked earth of Phoenix, Arizona, a sigh of relief and relaxation overcame my body and mind. Much like a sun-worshipping retiree, I was looking forward to a relaxing night of music and friendship in the warm cleave of the desert.

SRB and Meccano Twins at Trauma Harder Styles Tour 2016, Mesa, AZ

The phone rang. It was Kari. “Hey man, can you rent a van for us? My flight got messed up.” In the world of hardcore EDM, at least in America, you have to wear lots of hats: DJ, publisher, producer, promoter… and so adding chauffeur to the list was now second nature, “Sure.”

Then, look what entered the modest suburban minivan I procured: MC Rtiser! ”How the heck did this guy get through TSA Screening?” I think to myself. I then spend the majority of the night transporting van-loads of ridiculously talented Dutch and Italians, to and from the event, running on stage to snap pictures and get a good listen so I could report to the THD faithful.

Meccano Twins and Ruffian at Trauma Harder Styles Tour 2016

As Kari languished in LAX stand-by, Brandon SDK made sure the party went off without a hitch. Which is good, as fans were driving from all over the Southwest, particularly SoCal, to see the leg 2 version of the Trauma line-up. It was another sure-fire killer this time with Ruffian as Master of Ceremonies: Rotterdam Terror Corps, Digital Punk, Buzz Fuzz, Partyraiser, SRB, Tommyknocker, Mrotek, Arktus, CIK, Dr. Peacock, Rob Gee and Meccano Twins lit the place on fire, as if the desert needed to get any hotter than it already was.

Tommyknocker drops the bomb on Arizona on the Trauma Harder Styles Tour 2016.
Posted by Joel Bevacqua on Saturday, February 20, 2016

Mrotek and Arktus turned on the rawstyle to get the surprisingly large crowd for the first set pumped up. CIK laid down the Arizona law, showcasing that state’s great hardcore producers. They have a tough, complex sound that we have written of before in The HARD DATA (check out our interview in issue 2). Next Buzz Fuzz delivered the classic Rotterdam gabber sound to the growing crowd. SRB went off with a heavy speedcore set, explaining to me that he figured he could get away with playing it at the beginning or at the end of the night, so he ramped up the beats-per-minute to 300 and asked the terror-loving crowd if they “Had a Friend in Jesus” with his last track of the night.

Then came the first ever USA appearance of Meccano Twins. It was incredible! Tough brutal hardcore rocked the crowd and led up to Tommyknocker who fittingly “knocked it out of the park” as he laid down one Traxtorm hit after the next. Luckily, I even got a chance to interview Tommy later in show (stay tuned for that in the next issue).

Dr. Peacock in Arizona, ruffling some feathers on Trauma Harder Styles Tour 2016.
Posted by Joel Bevacqua on Saturday, February 20, 2016

The most popular set of the night was Digital Punk, laying down the thick Unleashed rawstyle sound to the new breed of ravers. Then came Dr. Peacock.

Digital Punk in his first ever USA appearance on the Trauma Harder Styles Tour 2016 in Arizona.
Posted by Joel Bevacqua on Saturday, February 20, 2016

I must say you should treat yourself and hear this guy live if you can. He played a wonderful, innovative hardcore live-PA that incorporates musical influences from all over the globe. Just in case you weren’t tired enough, Partyraiser stepped to the decks and resumed the all-out kick-drum assault, paving the way for Rotterdam Terror Corps.

Rotterdam Terror Corps says hello to Arizona.
Posted by Joel Bevacqua on Saturday, February 20, 2016

Honestly, I only caught the beginning of their set because I then had to go on an extended hotel run with the previously playing artists. So, I can only say the crowd seemed into it at the beginning and RTC honestly did sound scary as hell. It was one of those moments where you think, “modern existence is so completely messed up, that Rotterdam Terror Corps makes 100% logical sense.” I mean, think about it, that is kinda scary. Hopefully tonight in Denver I can give a more thorough review of RTC. Last but certainly not least was Rob Gee, the only artist on every stop of the tour. Of course he was great, and the crowd loved him. Read the past couple reviews for a more thorough description and video if you aren’t familiar with the Gee Man yet.

Partyrasier at Trauma Harder Styles Tour 2016

The only downer of the night was Alien T didn’t play. I was looking forward to hearing him play “Hammer of the Devil.” Apparently there was some screw up or miscommunication, and he didn’t come to the states. Hopefully that isn’t a permanent problem because I think the American audience would love his sound. I guess we should stay tuned for more info on that. All in all though as you can see, hear and read, it was a great night for hardcore and hardstyle in Arizona.

I just touched down in Denver where I am finishing this piece. As word gets out about the tour, each stop seems to get bigger and bigger. Apparently there is a lot of buzz in Denver for tonight so we shall see! Until the next time…

The rhythm is life and death!

DJ Deadly Buda

The HARD DATA

Tag Archives: autop

Utah Finally Gets Lucky: A Field Report from the Beehive State

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Field Report 7: Trauma Live’s Harder Styles Tour 2016: Brooklyn

Trauma Field Report 6: Pittsburgh PA

Field Report 4: Trauma in Mesa AZ

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