Zoology and One are two of London’s micro super clubs. At the helm of both parties are two sets of promoters who combine an in-depth knowledge of music (from classical to acid techno) with a refreshingly passionate and jovial attitude to promoting and the hard dance industry. Teaming up in their Basic Arena 2 b2b format and in the spirit of the birthday celebrations we foolishly asked them to get their heads together, along with their associated djs, and quiz each other on everything from dance music to door frames to extreme ironing!
I could bang on about who the djs are, where they have come from, where they play, what their style is… but as the artists below seem to have virtually abandoned this completely I thought I would follow suit. What follows is a classic example of what happens when you over indulge on repetitive music played at excessive levels, combined with several thousand too many late nights and one too many cases of tequila.
WARNING: If you are of a delicate constitution or fragile mental state....or object to djs taking the p*ss, for god’s sake turn away now!
Latex Zebra
Latex Zebra vs. K.A.R.L.[Part 1]
Latex Zebra: What’s the worst thing you’ve ever done after a tequila binge?
K.A.R.L.: Last time I drunk a load of tequila was with you Dan at Spangulation, and I then went on a 4 day bender. Def blame you for that one.....
Latex Zebra: What do you think the tune of the night will be?
K.A.R.L.: Either Commander Tom — ‘Attention’, Microbe — ‘B52’ or Monocore — ‘Kisses of Fire’. Problem is we will probably fight over who is going to play them!
Latex Zebra: Would you be adverse to using unscrupulous tactics during a B2B to make yourself look better?
K.A.R.L.: Of course. I'm going to swap all your records around in different sleeves whilst your in the mix. Maybe even replace them with my Dad’s Country & Western collection....
Latex Zebra Zebra: What do I think the highlight of the night will be?
K.A.R.L.: Me & you b2b whilst necking tequila shots and falling out of the dj booth.
Future Sound of Elvis
ELVISvs. B.S.E. [Part 1]
Elvis: Where did the name B.S.E come from?
B.S.E: After a bit of trial and error, with names like Hydro-Cloric & Vic Vapo I decided on B.S.E because my actual initials are C.J.D so I thought it apt.
Elvis: What djs/producers inspire you to do you thing?
B.S.E: Mainly the Liberators I would say influenced me the most. I fell in love with the early SUF acid techno and the rest is, as they say, history.
Elvis : What are your feelings on marmite?
B.S.E: It’s the dog’s danglies! I’d like to, one day when I’m big and rich enough, fill a diving pool full of it and go of the top board with a double piked back somersault... with tuck.
Elvis: Which superhero would you most like to be?
B.S.E: Batman. He’s the best. He has no superpowers, but has a plan to take out every other superhero on earth if they go bad including Superman! He’s just too bad!
ReDcaT
CONRAD vs. REDCAT [Part 1]
RedCaT: Have you ever taken part in a extreme ironing event, if not would you if you had the chance?
Conrad: Only the once. It was in the Alps during winter and we really struggled to get the iron up to any sort of temperature. The whole competition had to be called off but I'd definitely do it again. We'd check the weather this time though.
RedCaT: What was the reason you started to play music?
Conrad: I’d been a clubber for a number of years and friends got me into the whole DJing thing. We wanted to be able to do what the guys and girls we saw week in week out do, make people dance and to make sure they have a great night. That and a love of the music.
RedCaT: What has been your most memorable moment in clubbing/ promoting/djing??
Conrad: There’ve been a few. Playing the midnight slot on NYE was fantastic, as was standing at the back of a packed Southside Bar for our January party and being very proud of ourselves! Other than that, Gatecrasher at the Republic in 98 and 99 probably stand out as the best times I’ve had clubbing.
RedCaT: If you had to be a Muppet for a day what Muppet would you be a and why?
Conrad: Animal. He's got natural rhythm and cool hair.
Markus Buhmann
DAEGAL BRAIN vs. MARKUS BUHMANN[Part 1]
Daegal Brain: Your sets are notorious for crossing multiple sub-genres of the dance music spectrum. It’s hard enough keeping track of one style, how do you pick out the tunes from several... and then put them all together in a set?
Markus Buhmann: Because I’m not exclusively interested in particular styles as such, just good tunes, so I’ll just go wandering through music magazines and websites and see if anything looks interesting and having a listen. The danger is, of course, you only buy big tunes across various styles, after a while though you get an idea who the big labels and producers are, so, then you tailor your buying. Fitting it into a set isn't so bad, people appreciate diversity these days, it’s all about just going with the flow, people love a change.
Daegal Brain: You’re known in the industry for having a sharp wit, and quite rightly not being afraid to voice your opinions... has this caused you any problems? Any regrets?
Markus Buhmann: Of course it’s caused me problems, but then I only say what I say if I’m prepared to say it again to the offended person’s face. It generally throws them when you repeat your opinion straight back to them . In a couple of cases I could have been more tactful, but no regrets though, often those who I could have been more tactful with are equally capable of being ‘outspoken’. If you want something to change you’ve got to speak up and you shouldn't be afraid to do so. That said, I’ve found a quiet word is just as effective these days.
Daegal Brain: Is it true the verb ‘buhmannate’ is to be added to next years edition of the Oxford Concise Dictionary?
Markus Buhmann: I’ve heard that rumour too. I hope so, it’s always nice to be immortalised in print.
Daegal Brain: There’s a malicious rumour floating around that you have a fetish for doorframes. Would you care to enlighten people as to it’s origin?
Markus Buhmann: Growing up in Wellington, there’s the well-known earthquake risk and in an earthquake a doorframe is the safest place in the house... I just now find the doorframe is the safest place in anysituation that might badly affect my wellbeing.
B.S.E.
ELVIS vs. B.S.E. [Part 2]
B.S.E: If you had the chance to work with any producer who would it be?
Elvis: Captain Tinrib or Weirdo.
B.S.E: In an ideal world which two djs would you like to be sandwiched between on the line up?
Elvis: Kevin Energy and Andy Farley
B.S.E: What’s your favourite swear word?
Elvis: C**T (such a nice boy).
B.S.E: Have you ever considered breast implants?
Elvis: Once when I was 15, but I was young and foolish then.
K.A.R.L.
LATEX ZEBRA vs. K.A.R.L.[Part 2]
K.A.R.L.: Being a promoter for Zoology and having experienced a One party how different do you think it will be in the Fridge?
Latex Zebra: As we are used to working in the smaller, intimate environment I think it will travel well to the Ice Box in the Fridge. As long as you One guys are OK with being shown up on the night.
K.A.R.L.: How are you going to combat my unscrupulous tactics (as above)....?
Latex Zebra: A combination of extreme violence, drink spiking and bad MCing over your tunes.
K.A.R.L.: If you could play b2b with anyone from the main room, who & why?
Latex Zebra: Ohh, not sure, El Greko would be fun, as would a B2B with Cally. I’ll go with Rob Tissera though as I’m sure we could do an excellent hard trance set together.
K.A.R.L.: Do you think you'll ever grow out of or get bored of DJing, because you are getting on a bit now?
Latex Zebra: As long as there are crowds to play to I’ll never get bored.
Conrad
CONRAD vs. REDCAT[Part 2]
Conrad: How long have you been playing/promoting and how many parties are you involved with?
RedCaT: I have been running Vinyl Zoo (record label) since 2001, Zoology (party) started a few months after that in November, and if memory serves I have only missed two parties and played all of them apart from those two. So in short about 4 years, and if I have done the maths right I think Zoology will be at its 44th party in July. Milk and Zoology joined forces a few years back to do two Milkologys. I also play Just Groove once a month on Sunday night at 414 back to back with Mr Zebra, in addition to this I get involved with 4play at Club 414 as well as the Christmas coalition at Fire Club a few years back.
Conrad: Do you play any styles other than hard dance?
RedCaT: I can play sets of techno, house and trance as well as hard dance. I just played a classic house set at Addiction and got a classic trance set at Frantic’s 8th birthday; I loved all the oldies. I really don’t see any boundaries between these types of music, the only thing that separates them in my sets are the bpm.
Conrad: Should cats be allowed to vote and, if so, at what age?
RedCaT: Yes! And as for the age 2 1/2 human years, that = about 18 cat years, having said that even if they had the vote I’m not sure they could be arsed to get out of bed to vote.
Conrad: Chinese, Indian or pizza?
RedCaT: Pizza for lunch, Chinese for dinner.
Daegal Brain
DAEGAL BRAIN vs. MARKUS BUHMANN [Part 2]
Markus Buhmann: Coming from a classical family, how do you explain DJing to your parents, especially seeing as your Dad is a noted conductor?
Daegal Brain: Well my theory is: conducting an orchestra is pretty much the same basic idea as DJing: You get someone else’s music, and you add you own touch to the way its performed in order to entertain an audience. Massively simplified but there’s some truth to it IMO.
Markus Buhmann: You’re integrating more techno and house into your sets. How did you get inspired to do that and how are you finding the reaction?
Daegal Brain: I think it’s just called growing up! You see it happen to a lot of djs, getting bored of what they are doing. But on a less cynical note... I do think it’s hugely important to vary your sets and that tends to only happen after you get a bit more experience. It’s not always that easy to pull off and the most important thing of all is to keep the people who have loyally been listening to you play for years happy as well. I’ve had the odd occasion where playing stuff a bit out there has freaked people out and not gone down so well — but those occasions are outnumbered by the reward of pulling off something that other djs aren't doing, and getting a huge reaction. Life is boring if you don’t extend yourself.
Markus Buhmann: How do you respond to accusations that Donkey is in fact, the power behind the throne and actually does the mixing for you during your gigs?
Daegal Brain: This one might not mean anything to anyone that doesn't know me, but a couple of years ago I used to take a stuffed donkey to every gig I played at. (I mean why not, eh?) She is well known for her excessive party habits and vivacious personality... as anyone that’s been abused by her will testify! She also has a Harderfaster sign on and pops up from time to time, though I swear it’s not a pseudonym of mine! Yeah she does all the tricks on my demos...
Markus Buhmann: Bucket of skin or bucket of fondue?
Daegal Brain: Can I have skin dipped in fondue? KFC lookout: Chicken Skin Fondue Dunkers here we come.
Photos courtesy of Pink Kitty, Daf, VinDiesel & Andy T.
BASIC 1ST BIRTHDAY
UK EXCLUSIVE ALBUM LAUNCH: ILOGIK THE VJ ALBUM
“MY DEFINITION OF SOUND”
Friday 8th July 2005
The Fridge
22.00 – 06.00
There comes a time when a party must leave behind infancy and come of age.
We welcome you to Basic’s 1st Birthday. Live & Direct from it's new home at the Mecca of Hard Dance: The Fridge.
Sticking to its policy of no nonsense club-class-chaos, the party on everyone’s lips is back. Like the current hard house heavyweights Basic started life as a birthday party in the summer of 2004. Its supersonic rise to prominence has seen it outgrow not just one, but two venues in the space of just 12 months. Now finally it has found a venue that fits: The legendary Fridge.
Our 1st Birthday is something that little bit special. We believe birthday parties should be a celebration of what makes the event stick out from the crowd: and this one will be like a supernova! Not only do we have the World Exclusive launch party for Ilogiks new sensational VJ/DJ album: “My Definition of Sound” , we are also thrilled to welcome hard dance godfather Rob Tissera for his Basic Debut! And the night would not be complete without an appearance from Basic’s No.1 Resident, El Greko, performing a World Exclusive Hard Scratch set!….oh and did we mention a special classics set from new Frantic sensation Cally Gage!
The cakes being baked, the candle is primed, the balloons are on order and the streamers are flying. All we do now is wait for the guests. July 8th 2005, 10pm sharp. Bring a party hat!
Flyer:
-
Region:
London
Music:
Trance. Euro Trance. Hard Trance. Tech Trance. Psy Trance. Hi NRG. Hard House. Funky Techno. Techno.
From: Dickon Lawson 29th Jun 2005 07:48.46 I must have read this interview 10 times and I always end up with a slightly perplexed look on my face and a few more grey hairs! nice one lads. Cant wait to see the real think in action at Basic!
From: ~deleted1390on 29th Jun 2005 09:03.02 Never have so many, said so much and actually communicated so little.
From: JC-TAKTIKALon 29th Jun 2005 09:40.21 Im looking forward to dealing with this lot @ Basic lol!!
From: B.S.Eon 29th Jun 2005 10:03.47 Cattle-prods are the key
From: Karl Alexanderon 29th Jun 2005 11:09.13 bucket of skin :drool:
From: Nick Basicon 29th Jun 2005 11:20.42 Room 2 is going to be very interesting with this bunch taking control......!! Guffy is going to have to watch himself
From: JC-TAKTIKALon 29th Jun 2005 11:32.56 HAHAHA !
From: Shimmeron 29th Jun 2005 12:08.21 There all ANIMALS
From: K.A.R.L.on 29th Jun 2005 12:37.05 Can't believe I have to play alongside this bunch of head cases....
From: ~deleted1390on 29th Jun 2005 12:57.37 I can't believe I have to play next to a smelly old pikey like you.
From: K.A.R.L.on 29th Jun 2005 13:36.15 I wont bath all week just so I can stink you out of the dj booth and grab all the glory (and play them above mentioned tunes)
From: Not Marcuson 29th Jun 2005 13:58.58 Just as long as it's just the glory you're grabbing
From: ~deleted1390on 29th Jun 2005 15:48.25 Do they do tequilla drips at the Fridge?
From: K.A.R.L.on 29th Jun 2005 16:25.08 With a stretcher close by.....
From: Bagelon 30th Jun 2005 23:09.31 Thats funny I dont remember any of this...I just woke up at Markus's with a sore head....
From: Bagelon 30th Jun 2005 23:20.42 BTW if anyone grabs my glory I'll be most upset.
From: K.A.R.L.on 1st Jul 2005 14:24.06 If Dan out drinks me with tequila I'll be most upset....
From: Nick Basicon 1st Jul 2005 15:09.27 I have called ahead and made sure the venue stocks up on Tequilla......
From: ~deleted1390on 1st Jul 2005 16:24.40 Karl, you missed my performance at Just Groove. They tried to drown me in Tequilla. I lost count how many shots I did but I walked out alive...
From: Fion 2nd Jul 2005 13:04.34 "Markus Buhmann: Growing up in Wellington, there’s the well-known earthquake risk and in an earthquake a doorframe is the safest place in the house... I just now find the doorframe is the safest place in any situation that might badly affect my wellbeing. "
Aaaaah, if only that doorframe could talk, hmmmmm?
![[HarderFaster] - Work Hard, Play Harder!](/images/mainbanner_top1.gif)
. In a couple of cases I could have been more tactful, but no regrets though, often those who I could have been more tactful with are equally capable of being ‘outspoken’. If you want something to change you’ve got to speak up and you shouldn't be afraid to do so. That said, I’ve found a quiet word is just as effective these days.
Never have so many, said so much and actually communicated so little. 
