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Features
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| Introducing NEM3SI$’s new label Infinite Resistance! | | Mindbenderz talk ‘Lord of the Rings’ and fishing, as well as the creation of their new album ‘Celestial Gateway’! | | Iono-Music artists One Function, Eliyahu, Invisible Reality and Dual Vision talk Robert Miles, kids, dogs and vinyl, while we chat about their current releases! | | Luke&Flex talk influences, the Irish rave scene, why Flex wears a mask and Play Hard, their new EP out now on Onhcet Repbulik Xtreme! | | Lyktum expands on his new album ‘Home’ – talking about his love of storytelling, creating new harmonies and the concept behind his musical works. | | Pan talks getting caught short crossing the Sahara, acid eyeballs and tells us Trance is the Answer, plus shares his thoughts on his latest release 'Beyond the Horizon' - all from a beach in Spain! | | Miss C chats about living with the KLF, DJing in a huge cat’s mouth, training her brain and the upcoming super-duper Superfreq Grande party at LDN East this Saturday, 16th September! | | NEM3SI$ - I Live for the Night – talks superficiality, psychopaths, and bittersweet success, ahead of a plethora of evocative, emotional, and passionate upcoming melodic techno releases! | | Psy-Sisters Spring Blast Off! We talk to DJ competition winner ROEN along with other super talents on the lineup! | | Blasting towards summer festivals with Bahar Canca ahead of Psy-Sisters Spring Blast! | | Shyisma talks parties, UFO's, and Shotokan Karate ahead of his upcoming album 'Particles' on Iono-Music! | | SOME1 talks family, acid, stage fright and wolves - ahead of his upcoming album release ‘Voyager’ on Iono-Music in February 2023! | | The Transmission Crew tell all and talk about their first London event on 24th February 2023! | | NIXIRO talks body, mind and music production ahead of his release 'Planet Impulse' on Static Movement's label - Sol Music! | | Turning the world into a fairy tale with Ivy Orth ahead of Tribal Village’s 10th Birthday Anniversary Presents: The World Lounge Project | | The Psy-Sisters chat about music, achievements, aspirations and the 10-Year Anniversary Party - 18/12/22! | | A decade of dance music with Daniel Lesden | | Earth Needs a Rebirth! Discussions with Psy-Trance Artist Numayma | | Taking a Journey Through Time with Domino | | New Techno Rising Star DKLUB talks about his debut release White Rock on Onhcet Republik! | | PAN expands on many things including his new album 'Hyperbolic Oxymoron' due for release on the 14th April 2022 on PsyWorld Records! | | Psibindi talks all things music including her new collaborative EP 'Sentient Rays' on Aphid Records, her band Sentience Machine and 10 years of Psy-Sisters! |
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Decimation interview with Alter Ego of Opeum
Reported by Allan@Nu Energy
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Submitted 20-09-06 10:57
Like any strong structure, the hard dance scene is built on a foundation of solid dedicated support from those within it, not to mention an unstoppable wave of pure passion from those that truly understand what it is to find yourself rushing like a demon in the middle of a smiling, euphoric 3 am dancefloor as the dj drops the latest arm-raising beast like a sonic juggernaut from the speakers. Enter 25 year old hard dance producer and dj Alter Ego, known to his chums as Danny Schwarz. Like most of you reading this, present company included, Danny is a clubber first and foremost, but in recent years he’s seen his unstoppable passions grow from the dj decks, into the studio and now onwards into his first big promotional venture in next Saturday’s Decimation party at Farringdon’s intimate Epicurean Lounge.
Like other intimate parties such as the 414’s Puzzle Project, the Decimation aim is to provide an affordable fun lovin’ hard dance rave up with a house party atmosphere. Promoted for the love of the vibe rather than a hunger for cash, Decimation is about all the same things as all the best parties . . . cheap drinks, an intimate venue, friendly faces and the freshest hard dance beats around, on this occasion supplied by hard dance innovator Greg Brookman, Nu Energy Collective’s Freeformation duo Mark Ashley and K Complex, London’s clubbing hero and dj extraordinaire Hoopz plus a special set from Danny and his dj partner Epik as madcap dj partnership, Opeum. At just a fiver, you can’t go wrong! In the week approaching the party we caught up with Danny to uncover a bit about his past, the Decimation history and the Opeum penchant for slapstick comedy dj intros!
Danny ‘Alter Ego’ Schwarz
Photo by Beth Crockatt
First of all, good to chat to you Danny! Alongside your dj’ing partner Epik, you’ll be performing as dynamic duo Opeum at your own Decimation event, where London hard dance hero Hoopz, production wizard Greg Brookman and Freeformation duo K Complex and Mark Ashley will be joining you. How did you first and Tom first become involved as a DJ pair?
Tom (Epik of Opeum) had been one of my mates for a while and introduced me to Carl Lovett, the founder of the Crackbaby label and Croydon party of the same name. This was back in 2002. They were producing together and saw some potential in me too. I really have no idea how, because some of the crap I was churning out back then was gut wrenching!
Where you into hard dance at the time?
To be honest back then I was into MC’ing and drum n bass in a big way so we’d experiment with productions on breaks, trip hop and drum n bass tracks together. It wasn’t long before Tom introduced me to the sounds of hard dance. He took me to my first rave, which was a Heat event at The Fridge in Brixton. I fell in love with it instantly, the whole vibe and atmosphere was so different from what I’d ever experienced before. The music, my god, what were these tunes they were playing! I was hook line and sinker and have been absolutely obsessed by it ever since. The next day I rushed out and bought my first vinyl, which was a second hand copy of Alphazone’s ‘Stay’. The rest, as they say, is history.
You and Tom have been dj’ing and laying down productions under the name Opeum ever since. Who would you cite as your major influences?
There have been loads of big influences for us. Jon Doe for starters, as you can tell he’s always pushing himself and isn’t scared to experiment and be different. We can’t get enough of Greg Brookman at the moment, the guy is a production genius and in our opinion the best thing to have happened to the scene in a very long time. Edison Factor is another, their production is amazingly tight. Their remix of Brookman’s ‘Panzan’ is a tune we will always listen back to for format, structure and just overall arrangement and sound. It’s like the perfect tune. which I really don’t think can ever be topped.
Your Croydon Crackbaby residency has been rockin from strength to strength lately. In a town run by lairy chain pubs and shirts n shoes nightclubs, it is pretty much manna from heaven! How would you describe the night to those who haven’t visited it yet?
The night in Croydon has been a total success, people are so surprised when they walk in and can’t believe they’re in Croydon. There’s no dress code, the drinks are cheap and the music is rocking. I mean who wants to go out, get drunk, listen to cheesy crap music, have a fight and throw up in the back of a cab? What’s the point of that? This is a party for all the people that just want to have a good night, with a good friendly bunch of people and not break the bank.
Look into my eyes, look into my eyes, look into the eyes not around the eyes… you’re back in the room!
Photo by Beth Crockatt
That’s an ethos you’re trying to carry on at Decimation by the sounds of it too. As a punter and dedicated raver yourself, do you ever find yourself feeling short changed after nights out at some of the bigger raves these days? Do you think certain parties ever miss the base elements of a good night out in a blitz of supposedly superstar line ups?
Wow, good question. I’m sure each and everyone of us has had that huge shock with the realization of just how much you spent and then sat there for hours trying to figure out exactly how did I spend all that money? I think paying £25.00+ to get in a club and then paying £5.00 for a can of beer is just ridiculous. I understand the big promotions need to make their money and invest vast amount on there nights but £5.00 for a beer, not even off the pump. Not only that, you don’t even get a plastic beaker! I want my plastic beaker, even if I have no intention of using it, I want it! I suppose that’s the way it is at big events, which is why we try and keep the cost at all Crackbaby events to an absolute minimum and if any profit is made it goes straight back into reducing the cost of the next one.
What can those turning up to next Saturday’s Decimation expect from your back to back set?
We mix things up and don’t worry too much about the whole idea progression, instead we start on a high and end on a high, what happens with the 50 minutes in between is anyone’s guess. What I can guarantee is it will be fast, hard, full of energy and fun.
I hear you’ve also been hard at work creating themed intros for your set. What was the inspiration for these? Isn’t a lot easier just to turn up, play your records and jump about a bit?
We see our sets as more than just an hour of banging out tunes, but more an hour of full on energetic entertainment. For that hour we’ve got complete control of all the audio and everyone’s attention and we intend to take full advantage of that. We wanted a way for people to experience what we’re about as people and personalities. We’re all about having a laugh and not taking life or ourselves to seriously. That’s basically what we do with our sets. We’ve developed a number of animated audio, themed intros that you just have to see. We usually act out a script before each set which we’ve pre-prepared. It also usually involves dressing up like complete twats and interacting with the crowd, it’s all good fun and people seem to love it.
Opeum — the infamous Kung Fu intro!
Rumour has it that you named the night after a certain trainspotter’s favourite by one Greg Brookman — a track that remains a favourite amongst you and your crew.
Yeah, Decimation was inspired by a favourite track of ours,‘Decimator’, which came out on Hotwax Traxx in 2004 by the main man Brookman with Colin Barrat on the flip. I don’t think I’ve ever heard it played out and can’t understand why, it’s an awesome tune. It’s kinda hard and uplifting at the same time and just sums up the night and the label perfectly. Hopefully Greg will drop it on the night, if not you can be sure we will!
What other hard dance tracks have been most inspirational for you? Are there any that just never wear thin no matter how many times you cain them?
There are a few tunes in the old slag bag that we’ll never tire of hearing, I’ll mention a couple and try not to get too carried away. First off is ‘Panzan’ that I mentioned earlier, it needs no explanation. Another would have to be ‘Guyver Unit’ by the Riot Brothers on Tidy R12, a tune in a whole league of it’s own, completely original with a feel like none other. I just love the way there’s no sugar coating on this track, it’s just straight to business! It’s an amazing piece of work.
Another I’ll mention has to be the Equinox remix of ‘Streamline’ by Matt Williams and Carl Nicholson. Every time I listen to it I hear something new, just a crazy tune and hard as f*^k. Also the Colin Barrat remix of Wid & Ben’s ‘Fight Yourself’. I will never ever tire of hearing that tune, ever! It doesn’t matter where or when you play this, people will leave their seats or their normal standing position and start rocking.
Where were your first and most memorable rave experiences?
I’ve only been at it a few years myself; Tom’s a rave veteran and has the scars to prove it! For me it would probably be my first experience at Heat in 2003, it was like being a kid again, discovering this new hidden realm and embracing it. I’ll never forget that night, I was just lost in a world completely of my own for hours, loving this new sound I’d found. Tom will tell you all about his days between 97–99 at the Drome with nights such as Raindance and Undertoe. I love listening to the stories about those days and listening to the classic tunes from that era. I’m just gutted I missed out on it all.
What elements do you think are needed for a proper kick ass party?
There’s a lot of elements that go into making a great night, but all you can do as promoter is lay down the best foundations possible and the people make the night what it is. There’s one large brick in the foundation that you have to get right above all else, and that’s the music. There’s no such thing as a good night with crap tunes. I’ve got no worries there as I’m sure this line up is going to work the crowd into an absolute frenzy. I strongly believe in creating a people’s party. I want you to feel involved in the night, not just another attendee. I want you to be welcomed like you’ve just arrived at a friend’s house party and I don’t want you to spend a fortune.
Promoting can be a notoriously tricky game, a snakes and ladders playground where a wrong turn can leave you hopelessly out of pocket and a lucky break can make you the hottest ticket in town. What made you take the plunge into promoting and get the Decimation night up and running? When was the idea first hatched?
It’s the usual story of creating a way of getting us playing out and getting friends playing to. The idea behind Decimation was hatched about a year and a half ago when we set up a monthly after party at Club 414 in Brixton which ran with the Puzzle Project. We had a hugely successful first night and the place was jam packed, rocking all the way until two in the afternoon.
Unfortunately we hit some problems; Tom had to find a new place, I had some family issues and it just never got off the ground after that. In a way, I’m glad because it’s given us time to build on other things and gain more experience before coming back with this one. We’ve got a greater idea now of what we want to achieve and the experience to lay on a night that’s gonna rock your socks off.
What sort of extra entertainment and individual touches will be on display at the Epicurean Lounge come 23rd September?
I don’t want to give too much away, but as mentioned before, we want everyone to feel at home and welcome. There are some very special sets being planned and you can also get buy 1 get 1 free on drinks between 8:30–9:30pm as well as free CD and T-shirt giveaways.
How often are you planning to hold Decimation and what other hard dance hitters are on your bookings hit list?
We plan to hold Decimation every three months, that way it gives us time to properly plan and insure its perfect every single time. We’ve got the monthly Crackbaby party and the label to keep us well occupied in the mean time. I’ve got a few djs on my hit list for future events. I’d love to get Kevin Energy down, I almost got him for this one but I’m hoping he’ll come and play at the next, he’s an amazing talent. I’d also like to see Alex Kidd, Cally Cage, Phil York plus many more through the doors of Decimation. I also want give more up and coming djs like ourselves the opportunity to play alongside the big names.
The Nu Energy Collective’s Mark Ashley & K Complex… rockin Decimation 23rd September!
Photo courtesy of James Finch
You’ve been dipping your talents into the production pool since way back in October 2000, but how did you first get hooked into the underground dance scene? What first caught your imagination about it all?
Yeah, I’ve always had a firm interest in music production, I started out playing keyboard, writing drum n bass and breaks tracks before being introduced to hard dance by Tom and I’ve been producing with him ever since. I used to go out and study the music that was being played, listening to all the little weird noises and being absolutely fascinated by it. You can have just one single hard dance track that can take you through so many different emotions; there’s no other music that can lay claim to that. You could have a track start out hard and funky, the kind of track that can make your whole upper body go stiff, grit your teeth and bang your head like a demented hooligan, then it breaks down into a melodic break, making you loosen up, close your eyes and start smiling. You put your hands in the air before a dirty acid line comes ripping in making the hair stand up on the back of your neck. It builds you up to the point you can’t stop your eyes from blinking, you’re standing on the tip of your toes, then the tune drops with some mental uplifting riff and killer bass making you wanna jump up and down like a nut case. I fucking love it!
As your Kung-Fu intros show, you’re well known for a fair few random antics. What is the strangest thing that you’ve seen all year?
I love randomness, without random life wouldn’t be nearly as interesting. One memory that sticks out in our minds is going back to a mate’s house after playing a set at the Mass. So there’s a good 20 people there at 7am in the morning, the tunes are rocking and everyone is on a good level. I was up to my usual antics of planting booby traps and what not when I heard someone shout, “What the fuck is that” from the garden. Everyone runs outside bursting through the small conservatory door into the garden trying to work out what the hell is going on, all looking around feeling very confused. “Look, up there!” Someone’s pointing up to the roof about four houses down. It’s only bloody Wonder Woman! Took my eyes a while to focus, but when they did I almost didn’t believe them. It was some fat bird in the full wonder woman outfit, head to toe with her fist clenched and her arm stretched out in full flight, running across the roofs jumping from one to the next. Mate, we’ve never laughed so much, there’s was a big heap of us absolutely pissing our pants in the garden. I think I was at the top of the pile and possibly let some go, sorry lads!
Photos by Beth Crockatt and James Finch. Not to be reproduced without permission.
DECIMATION
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On:
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Saturday 23rd September 2006
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At:
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Epicurean Lounge [map]
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From:
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20:00 - 03:00
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Cost:
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£5.00 on the door - £4.00 concessions
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Website:
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www.crackbaby.co.uk/Decimation
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Ticket Info:
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For guest list email: Decimation@Crackbaby.co.uk
For further information visit: www.CrackBaby.co.uk/Decimation
or call: 07957 631119
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More:
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Crackbaby Productions re-lauch it's main event; DECIMATION.
This night truely is one not to be missed. A exclusive opportunity to hear new upcoming tracks from the Crackbaby label and witness some of the finest DJ's in the scene lay it down. This plush venue with it pumping sounds system and awesome display is a perfect setting for that all important Decimation/Crackbaby vibe that people have come to expect.
Just £5.00 on the door, £4.00 concessions, free CD and T-shirt giveaways plus many more surprises on the night!!!
Buy 1 get 1 free on drinks.
Get Entry into RAINDANCE for just £10.00 after 3am if you've come from Decimation! That's a saving of £8.00, saving you £4.00 overall if you do both events!!! That's including the after party.
Lets get wounded! Decimation style!
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Flyer:
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 - 
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Region:
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London
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Music:
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Hard Trance. Nu NRG. HardStyle. Hard House.
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DJ's:
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K Complex b2b Mark Ashley
Greg Brookman
OPEUM
Hoopz
P y r o
Chris Williams
Dean King b2b Dubz
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Other Features By Allan@Nu Energy:
The Elevate interview — Phil York & Kevin Energy get ready to take you higher
Preview to the Nu Energy Collective’s Freeformation with Tranzlation’s Phil York
A preview To Tasty's Generation E with underground legend Eryk Orpheus
Preview To Freeformation’s final free party with Exeter’s answer to Scott Project, Nick The Kid
PUSH goes Deepgrooving
The views and opinions expressed in this review are strictly those of the author only for which HarderFaster will not be held responsible or liable.
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Comments:
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From: Mark Ashley on 20th Sep 2006 11:32.43
Nice work old son, see you Saturday !!!!
From: The Momentum DJs on 20th Sep 2006 12:48.02
Great lads and always good to play alongside - nice one boys, and best of luck with Saturday 
From: snowqueen on 20th Sep 2006 18:28.00
Nice1 lads, ood to see u made it to HF interview page...good luck for the future well deserved.
By the way sexy pic dan of you against the wall....yum, yum
From: Black on 20th Sep 2006 19:00.16
Nice one, Saturday is gonna be fucking quality.
From: Princess Pill Head on 20th Sep 2006 19:28.55
Woooohooooo, nice 1 Opeum boys :o)
Cant wait for Saturday, Im sure it was be fat as f**k as per.
All the best for the future guys. xx
P.S Nice pics Dan (tasty), you look god dam sexy mmmm xx
From: Princess Pill Head on 20th Sep 2006 19:40.48
Woooohooooo, nice 1 Opeum boys :o)
Cant wait for Saturday, Im sure it was be fat as f**k as per.
All the best for the future guys. xx
P.S Nice pics Dan (tasty), you look god dam sexy mmmm xx
From: Princess Pill Head on 20th Sep 2006 19:44.58
Woooohooooo, nice 1 Opeum boys :o)
Cant wait for Saturday, Im sure it was be fat as f**k as per.
All the best for the future guys. xx
P.S Nice pics Dan (tasty), you look god dam sexy mmmm xx
From: Bibbedy on 21st Sep 2006 10:16.55
Quality, good interview. Well looking forward to Decimation this Saturday.
From: OPEUM on 22nd Sep 2006 08:43.28
Cheers for all your comments people, i for one cant wait for saturday... As usuall myself and Dan have prepared a funny as fuck "intro" specially for your enjoyment...
Well done on the pics btw Danny boy !!! Seems the girlies are loving it, we might have to sell pics of you modeling some DECIMATION clothing to the highest bidder !!!
DJ Epik - OPEUM
GET WOUNDED
From: Matt Church on 22nd Sep 2006 09:08.24
Excellent stuff guys, keep up the good work!!! See you saturday
From: PsychoCenobite on 22nd Sep 2006 09:36.23
Wicked interview! I also am looking forward to this Saturday! See you there. Oh, and nice pics Dan! ;P Gwahahahaha...
From: OPEUM-AlterEgo on 23rd Sep 2006 08:50.15
Thanks very much for the comments guys, especially Princess... *wink* *wink*...
Well it's the big day and I haven't been able to sleep at all, I'm gonna be wrecked! Expect to find me collapsed in a corner somewhere foaming at the mouth...lol.
See you tonight peeps.
Let's Get Wounded!
From: twistedtiggerz on 24th Sep 2006 10:41.42
Wikid interview guys...hope your launch night goes with a bang! Keep up the good work & see ya soon Dan xx
From: sexyminx on 26th Sep 2006 16:35.38
Wicke interview. Sorry couldn't make it Saturday, hope it went well x
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