Animé and the harder styles of dance music have gone hand in hand together since day 1 of the rave scene. Back in the early days you would see plenty of rave flyers inspired by Ghost in the Shell, Robotech, and especially Akira. Akira, in particular, would often be sampled in early rave records. Animé and the harder styles have been a tradition since then, and The HARD DATA is honored to carry on a small part of that tradition by attending the Animé Los Angeles Convention happening right now at the Ontario Convention Center. From January 29-January 31 from 9am – 9pm (9am-2pm Sunday).
Get your Animé fix and make sure to pop over to our pal’s booth, Toy Mandala, if you want to stock up on your gear. We left off a limited copies of The HARD DATA issues 1-3 if you have any holes in your collection, and we are fully stocked on issue 4. So pick up your copy of THD at Animé Los Angeles this weekend.
Marco Collini has shown an utmost amount of dedication and passion for Hardcore in the Italian scene. He had to jump through a lot of hoops and took a lot of risks in order to become one of the most prominent upcoming Hardcore artists to date. His presence on the tour will easily show the U.S. what can happen if you stay passionate and true to yourself, your sound and your scene. Please welcome: ALIEN T! You can witness this man in Mesa, Arizona on February, 19th. In Denver, Colorado – February 20th. Pittsburgh Pennsylvania – February 26th, and finally: Brooklyn, New York on February 27th.
What inspired your stage name? I prefer to call it an ‘artist’ name because it wasn’t created by thinking about my performances on stage, but thinking about the feelings that I wanted to spread with my music. Indeed, Alien T is short for “Alien Terror”; it’s a feeling that people experience when they discover something for the very first time. It is a sort of fear but then, when you’re used to it, it changes into an enjoyable feeling! I chose this name because Hardcore music is unknown in my hometown, so people always seem “scared” about it, but they ignore the fact that they could love it if they would give it a chance.
Were you a DJ first, or a producer? I was a DJ first. I always had a passion for it. In 2002, I finally had the chance to buy my first set of DJ equipment. I practiced every day and after a couple of years my skills were already so great that I started to play some moderate/huge events in Switzerland. I was also one of the winners of Megarave’s ‘New Talent DJ Contest’ in 2004. Meanwhile, I had started to try to produce my own Hardcore tracks. In that same year, I finally bought a new computer and started to seriously produce. Three years later (2007), I was able to release my first record on G-Net Records (a sub label of Traxtorm Records).
How did you get into the scene? I got into the scene first as a follower when I discovered Hardcore in the year 2000. I was immediately addicted to it. I started searching for music and parties even if I didn’t have them close to my hometown. I had to travel at least three hours to find the closest city that had Hardcore music shops (Rome) and about six hours for the closest place that had Hardcore parties (Rimini). All these obstacles proved to me that my passion for this music was really big and motivated me to go on.
What was the first record you ever purchased? Neophyte vs. The Stunned Guys – Nation of Domination on Rotterdam Records.
Who was your biggest inspiration in the early part of your career? Amnesys, without any doubts!
Would you describe your first DJ gig? My first DJ gig was in the summer of 2004 in Switzerland at the official Hardcore after party for the famous ‘Street Parade’ in Zurich; it was at the Club Niaxa in Bulach. I remember being uneasy about it but my set went great! After that performance, the promoter booked me again for even more parties!
What was your favorite party you’ve ever played? Why? I can’t really choose just one because I’ve had so many awesome experiences; but definitely some of the big parties that I played at ‘Club Florida’ in Italy are totally unforgettable, and surely parties such as Dominator, Masters of Hardcore, and Defqon.1 were unforgettable as well!
What was the funniest moment during any of your performances? There have been so many of those moments, but when the Hardcore Italia crew gets together, we are definitely funny!
What important changes have you witnessed from the time you got into the scene, until now? I’ve witnessed a lot of changes; they were always caused by how the music trend was changing. I’ve noticed that the faster the music, the smaller the scene becomes. The most recent, and best period of time for the Hardcore scene was between 2005-2010 when a lot of great hits were released and there were a lot more Hardcore parties. Nowadays, the Hardcore scene doesn’t seem as big because there are very few clubs that book Hardcore events. For me, it’s all about the summer festival season and the few big indoor events during the winter, at least here in the Netherlands.
Did you ever think you would be touring the United States? What do you think the Trauma Tour will be like? I’ve always hoped about getting a gig in the States because I’m very curious to see how American people act towards the Hardcore scene and its music; so this is a dream come true and I’m very excited about it. I’ve heard it’s pretty unusual to have that big of a lineup in your country for the harder styles so this should be lots of fun!
What is your favorite track that you have produced? ‘The Hammer of the Devil’, because it was a big risk to produce a track like that; with a totally different sound design and very slow BPM, but I did it anyway and it gave me (and is still giving me) a lot of satisfaction!
What advice would you give to up and coming Hardcore producers? Don’t try to find the fastest/easiest way to success; the best way to improve your skill is to work very hard and try to be original because we don’t need copies!
Have any of the other artists on the Trauma tour ever inspired your work? If so, how? Amnesys. He was a mentor for me (and still is). He opened up my mind a lot and gave me the chance to have a more complete vision about music overall.
What are your top 3 favorite tracks of all time? Why? Turbulence ‘N’ Terrorists – Six Million Ways to Die. Simple, straight to the point, and I still can’t believe that kick drum was made in 1994!
Project Omeaga – Prednison Attack. A clear example of originality; when someone uses a sound in a different way and is able to create something that will always sound fresh and cool.
Amnesys – Refly. When this was released it was very unique track. The atmosphere of the breakdown is unbelievable, every element in it works perfectly together. A clear example that complex tracks can also be party tracks if they’re made in the right way!
What was your favorite track of 2015 (that wasn’t your own)? Amnesys feat. MC Axys – Shockwave
Are there any exciting projects or gigs coming up you want our readers to know about? I’m working on new solo tracks and collaborations. I’m still working on ‘Vanguard’; the concept and radio show that I manage with Amnesys where we always try to spread top notch Hardcore and more! Keep an eye on my social media if you want to be updated!
A long time indeed! I must say it feels so good to be able to announce such an awesome show. The moment I saw the announcement I truly couldn’t believe my eyes, and I can’t wait to be apart of it! This tour is going to be a HUGE step for American Hardcore and I can’t thank Trauma enough for hosting me in New York City, where my whole career started!
What can the people expect from a Tim Shopp set?
The best way I can explain it is “No boundaries”. I know some artists have these little bubbles of speed or styles they enjoy staying in (nothing wrong with that), but I like to do things a little differently. My two main production styles are Uptempo Hardcore and Terror, but I also dabble in Speedcore and Extratone (1000+ bpm). So I may start my set at 200+ bpm and by the end we’re around 2,000 bpm if I’m feeling it.
Tell me about the #BookTimShopp campaign:
Hahaha, oh goodness where, do I begin?! That was all the DHD (Denver Hard Dance) guys. As American artists, we are constantly supporting one another and always putting in good words for each other with promoters and such, and this is living proof. Truly it started as a joke, but then more and more people began to get behind it as a serious thing. Now every QSA post or hardcore post I see always has someone posting “#BookTimShopp” to try and get me into their city for a show. It’s pretty awesome now to see so much support from all over!
Tell me about where some of your inspiration comes from, and how it has influenced your work:
Everything has its own little inspirational “push” on me, from listening to live sets and getting an idea, or even getting out of the house and walking down near the beaches and just relaxing. My main source I will say though is my Death Metal roots. I have always had a taste for rough and insane music, so now I like to try and push that from within my own music to truly give people music that will make them go insane!
Any DJ’s you’re particularly looking forward to working alongside for Trauma?
Oh the whole tour! It’s going to be amazing to stand next to all these legends, but the most near and dear to my heart are without a doubt SRB, Dr. Peacock, and Lenny Dee! SRB and Dr. Peacock have had a constant inspirational push for me, and Lenny is a true legend amongst the NYC Hardcore scene as well; it’ll be my pleasure to even be in the same room with the man who basically started it all for the NYC Hardcore scene.
Anything coming up personally or professionally for you that you would like to share with everyone?
Oh there is so much… but I can only say so much right now, haha! Main thing is my first release coming soon on Fucking Bastards! My track Terror Squad is going to hit hardtunes.com and that in itself is a dream come true! Fucking Bastards is, in my opinion, the top dog for my type of music, and it also has signed a lot of my friends so it’s a huge honor to be releasing with them! I can also promise it won’t be my only time.
Lastly, (I can’t say a lot yet about this) but I would just like to let all my West Coast fans know I’m coming for a visit in 2016… stay tuned!
Couldn’t find a hard copy? No worries. You can download a .pdf version of issue 4 here >>>The Hard Data issue 4. Featuring Radical Redemption interview, Hardcore Till I Die USA report and more!
Scott Brown is the owner/operator of Evolution Records, the UK’s longest running Hardcore label (founded in Glasgow, Scotland in 1994). It was his “bouncy” techno sound that helped catapult many other artists onto the scene. His visit to the US will be an important and valuable lesson in the origins of the harder styles so his presence on this tour is mandatory. You can see Scott Brown in Edmonton, Canada on February 12th, San Francisco, California on February 13th, and Los Angeles, California on February 14th!
Were you a DJ first, or a producer?
Producer, under the name “Q-Tex”.
How did you get into the scene?
The techno/rave scene was booming in the early 90’s – I was buying a lot of vinyl and “copying” the styles in my small bedroom studio. I was at University at the time and another student was promoting a “rave” in the students union. I asked him if he wanted a live act…he said yes, and that was my first event. From there, I got offers for more gigs and things exploded from there!
What was the first record you ever purchased?
Quite possibly something by Madness or The Police, I’m not too sure.
Who was your biggest inspiration in the early part of your career?
I listened to 808 state; a guy called Gerald, and New Order. Easily my 3 biggest influences when I started out.
Would you describe your first DJ gig?
I played in a pub for a few beers and a packet of peanuts.
What was your favorite party you’ve ever played? Why?
I always miss the Rezerection events in Edinburgh, Scotland. They were special and we’ll never have another event like them.
What was the funniest moment during any of your performances?
At HTID USA 2015 with DJ Brisk. So many things went on during that set. I lost my shit for about half an hour – so funny!
What important changes have you witnessed from the time you got into the scene, until now?
There’s more money and attitude now from DJs and promoters. There are more people holding cameras than light sticks. Big events are everywhere in Europe, suffocating smaller events in many cases; it’s a whole different game these days!
Did you ever think you would be touring the United States? What do you think the Trauma Tour will be like?
I’m looking forward to playing for you guys. Great line up and great venues! It’ll be a blast.
What made you want to start producing Hardcore/Hardstyle/Rawstyle music?
Natural progression. I went from 90’s Rave/Early Rave to 90’s Hardcore & Gabber.
What is your favorite track that you have produced?
Too many to mention!
What advice would you give to up and coming Hardcore producers?
Keep doing what you do and don’t ever expect things to be handed on a plate to you. If you’re good at what you do, then you should have no problems getting music released. There’s not much money involved these days, so don’t expect to become an overnight superstar or millionaire!
Have any of the other artists on the Trauma tour ever inspired your work? If so, how?
Many of the guys have been big influences as well as being friends over the years. The Prophet I’ve known since the 90s. Tommyknocker has been churning out tune after tune since the Millennium. Mad Dog is another artist with huge talent.
What are your top 3 favorite tracks of all time? Why?
Too hard to answer!
What was your favorite track of 2015 (that wasn’t your own)?
Tommyknocker – Never Surrender / Advanced Dealer – NTSFR
Are there any exciting projects or gigs coming up you want our readers to know about?
I’ve just released a few digital compilations myself – Evolution Records Hardcore Classics 2 – and Twisted! I plan on following these up in the next year.
What artists would you like to collaborate with that you haven’t already?
I started something with Tommyknocker which I’d like to finish this year. Other than that, pretty much anyone on this tour!
If there’s anything we haven’t asked, what else would you like to say to the readers of The Hard Data?
Come out to the parties and have fun guys; this is going to be a huge tour! Not to be missed!
Dedicated to the harder sound of electronic dance music.