This Friday we will be hosting sneaker blog and European wide collective Big Eyes, Little Soles’ 2nd birthday at Rhythm Factory. Joining forces to celebrate our shared love of UKG we are really happy to be bringing together Slimzee, Bannerworx, Crazy D, Palace and more. Ahead of the event we wanted to take the time to introduce you to everyone involved. In part 1 we take a look at the DJs playing…
SLIMZEE
Slimzee is a man that needs no introduction. Having played a part in the evolution of the UK underground from jungle through garage and on to grime, he is one of the best and most influential DJs of the last decade. From his early days in Pay As U Go to his famed appearances on Rinse to possession of the most sought after selection of dubplates in the game, there is no denying his credentials. If you want any further proof check some of his infamous sidewinder sets – that should be all the convincing you need. One of the fastest and slickest mixers in the game, his sets are never to be missed.
CRAZY D
Crazy D’s inimitable flows and command of the mic ensure that he has remained one of the most respected MCs on the UK underground for over a decade. From his roots in UK Garage MCing on UpFront 99.3FM, the leading pirate station at the time, it was with the emergence of dubstep that he made his mark. Alongside friend and collaborator Hatcha, with whom he still plays regularly on Kiss, Crazy D played in an integral roll in the emergence of the genre and was crucial in continuing to drive it forward as host at seminal clubnights FWD and DMZ. Still very much at the forefront of the underground, he remains unrivalled.
BANNERWORX
What’s your best garage memory?
My best memory from the days of UK Garage would have to be getting ‘Industry Standard vol.1 (What You Want)’, signed to Satellite records, and released into the top 40 UK Charts. I had already been playing this hit in every set, and when the head A&R asked me what tune I would sign after we had released Double 99’s ‘RIP Groove’, it had to be that one. Classic from day 1.
Who is your favourite old skool garage producer?
My favourite UK Garage producer will always be Wookie. He from day 1 never came out with the same sound as anyone else. Every track he released was unique to his sound, and always a club banger, if it wasn’t that, then it wasn’t a Wookie production at all. ‘Battle’ will always be one of my favourite tracks to get people going on the dance floor, never fails.
If you could bring the old skool garage days back for one night who would be on your lineup?
My line up for a UK Garage event would consist of Creed hosting it, alongside RB, Rankin’ and DT. DJ wise, firstly Karl “TuffEnuff” Brown, EZ, Scott Garcia, Hatcha, myself of course and Sticky.
PALACE
What can we expect from your set? What era of garage?
I’ll be playing a lot of dark, raw late 90’s garage, bumpy beats and big basslines.
What’s your best garage memory?
I remember getting the cd single of DJ Pied Piper – ‘Do You Really Like It’ when I was about 10. Pretty sure I had that song on loop!
Who is your favourite old skool garage producer?
I really couldn’t say I have one favourite The most influential for me would have to be EL-B, Tuff Jam, and Todd Edwards. Can’t forget Ice cream Records and Nice ‘n’ Ripe either.
If you could bring the old skool garage days back for one night who would be on your lineup?
EL-B, Groove Chronicles, Todd Edwards, Sunship, Box Clever and Nice ‘n’ Ripe Showcase.
BALLISTIK
What can we expect from your set? What era of garage?
On the night I’m gonna try and jog peoples memories and just play a whole heap of forgotten shit. Anything goes from ’96 to ’01 but mainly aiming for somewhere in the middle.
What’s your best garage memory?
Haven’t got one really, I associate garage with a time rather than one specific moment. I was too young so missed most of the raves but the music reminds me of summer nights and the crazy shit you get up too when you’re too young to do anything better.
Who is your favourite old skool garage producer?
Anthill Mob.
If you could bring the old skool garage days back for one night who would be on your lineup?
P.S.G on the mic, Tuff Jam, Dem2, Martin ‘Liberty’ Larner, Rossi B & Luca, EZ (I bet everyone picks him) & myself.
EMILE
What can we expect from your set? What era of garage?
1997-2002, with a focus on 4×4, a touch of 2Step and some minor selections slightly outside this range.
What’s your best garage memory?
Flipping to the B side of a release from the little known ‘Resurrection’ label, only to hear DJ Narrows’ ‘Saved Soul’ for the very first time. Looking back, it really did signify the beginning of the whole Dark Garage epoch in my eyes.
Who is your favourite old skool garage producer?
Sticky a.k.a. Fyrus. He really couldn’t do any wrong!
If you could bring the old skool garage days back for one night who would be on your lineup?
That’s a really difficult question! I think I’d largely make it a 4×4 affair with the likes of EZ, Todd Edwards and Norris ‘Da Boss’ Windross headlining, with Pay As You Go as a wild card. Masterstepz would be a nice addition too.
OUZO
What can we expect from your set? What era of garage?
I’ve been playing an old school UKG set for a while now so it’s gonna be a tough one, it may even be the last time you hear me drop garage for a while so look out! You can expect to hear tracks from around 1997-2002 with a few tracks that influenced the sound in the UK from Chicago and Detroit too!
What’s your best garage memory?
WOW, big question… Lords Of The Underground was always great, seeing DJ EZ there literally throwing records over his shoulder in the middle of one of his 60 tracks in 60 minutes sets would be up there. But I think the first time I ever went to the spiritual home of UKG, Club Colosseum in Vauxhall, for Liberty (run by Martin Larner) was the one. I had never experienced anything like that, it wasn’t just about the tunes, it was about making an effort, dressing up and spending what you had earned that week on having the best possible night. This was pre-internet so the people who went to these nights went because they wanted to be there, plus there wasn’t something going on every night of the week as there is now.
Who is your favourite old skool garage producer?
There are too many! Todd ‘The God’ Edwards & Tuff Jam made me to fall in love with the sound but Groove Chronicles (and later Ghost) and MJ Cole really pushed that and put a UK twist on what was coming out of the states. Groove Chronicles are the ones I will go for though.
If you could bring the old skool garage days back for one night who would be on your lineup?
I’m not sure I really wanna say, keep your eyes and ears locked to GET SOME for that!
ELSEWHERE
What can we expect from your set? What era of garage?
I’ll be running stuff from across the board, but expect some late 90s / early 00s breakbeat garage and dark 4×4 stuff!
What’s your best garage memory?
I was a bit young to experience most of it when it was properly going off, but seeing DJ EZ play is always pretty special.
Who is your favourite old skool garage producer?
That’s a tough one, but I think its got to be El-B that has had the most impact on me over the years.
If you could bring the old skool garage days back for one night who would be on your lineup?
Menta, Zinc, Darqwan, El-B, Artwork, Pay As U Go Cartel