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Mr C - Crossing the musical subterrain
International DJ, innovative producer, founder of Plink Plonk, Shamen frontman and co- owner of The End, Mr C emerged as a pioneering force in the house music scene in 1987 and has continued to be instrumental in the proliferation of dance music on a global scale.
His commitment to experimentation and credibility in setting the standards for sophistication in all sub-genres of dance music has earned him world-wide prestige as he endeavours to take the sounds of the underground to new and more accessible heights.
We managed to get him to take some time out from his hectic schedule to talk to us about the dance scene, from it's incarnation to it's current state today.
1. You played at the legendary RIP parties in Clink St, London. What are your memories of those times and parties?
My memories are of complete hedonism! People from every walk of life, every race, colour & creed. From the ugliest to the prettiest to the god damn wierdest people all going nuts to new sounds called House, Techno, Acid & Garage.1988.....Those were crazy days indeed.
2. After the acid house boom, you joined The Shamen. What are your favourite memories of your time with the band?
I have lots of great memories of my time with the Shamen. Having the pleasure to work with the genius song writer that is Colin Angus will always stand out. Also headlining the NME stage on Saturday night at Glastonbury Festival in 1993 was amazing. Tens of thousands of peoples all on the same vibe 'avin it' with us was quite an awe inspiring experience.
The thing i'll tell the grandchildren about though when i'm old & even more grey than i already am is winning the Ivor Novelo for song writers of the year putting us into that exclusive list of the Beetles, Eurithmics, etc. etc.
3. Were you surprised at the controversy that Ebeneezer Goode created when it was released?
Not at all surprised. The song was written to cause that controversy. What makes me laugh is people still didn't get it. Listen to the track again paying attention to the verses instead of the chorus' & drop the H in the word HE, you get a whole different story . Cockney's drop their H's so emphesising a cockney accent makes the track become ambiguous. What a laugh!
4. When you and Layo decided to open The End, what were your main goals. How did you want your club to stand out from the rest?
It wasn't difficult at the time to make a club stand out from the rest. Club land in 1995-7 before was pretty dire, Most clubs had crap sound systems, were not air conditioned, the drinks were crap, security were thugs & they even used to turn off the water taps in the toilets to stop people drinking the water. The music in the clubs back then was also lowest common denominator worm fodder too so crap all round. Our goals were to change all that by setting up a state of the art dance club that was to become the blue print for modern clubbing in London. Sound, lights, service, everything had to be perfect & for sure it helped raise the standard for Clubbing & DJ Bars in London. It would be hard to imagine what London club & bar culture would be like if it weren't for The End blueprint.....Mission accomplished.
5. Your Subterrain residency at The End was legendary, but you chose to move away from this in 2003 and start Superfreak. How do the two nights differ musically?
Subterrain was a Techno & house night of the most cutting edge & specialist nature with a very serious yet up for it crowd.
Superfreq is an Electronic House night, still cutting edge but not so serious, in fact the crowd are down right daft & a hell of a lot of fun. Superfreq is also more female friendly because of the glam attitude of the night.
6. How do you feel about the new technology available to DJs today, do you think it takes any of the skill out of DJing? Have you used or would you ever use applications like Final Scratch and Ableton Live?
Ableton Live 4 looks pretty posh though i haven't had the chance to use it yet.... this looks revolutionary.
I'm not a fan of Final Scratch though because it sounds crap. MP3s squashed into little files that sound like digital noise with no soul....yuk! I've spun after Final Scratch DJs a few times & every time the crowd has gone nuts the second i start to mix in a proper record (Vinyl) because it sounds a million times better even to the untrained ear. I do use CDs but only until the said tracks are available on vinyl at which point i switch. i'm up for all formats & new technology if it's as good or better sounding than what i already use. I will not compromise my sound to be cool & trendy with new software etc.
7. As you've been at the front of the UK scene since it's inception, do you think the dance music scene has changed for better or worse as it has become more commercial?
For the better. Back in 1988 there couldn't have been more than 5000 in the whole of London that were into this scene but now there's millions of ravers all over the world & sure the scene is commercial but as with every commercial scene there must be an underground & ours is thriving all over the world. Fantastic labels & DJs from every corner of the globe & it just keeps getting better. Some people say it's not as good as it used to be but that's just because they're getting old & tired.
8. What do you think about the DJ mag top 100 poll?
The DJ Mag top 100 poll?...... what's that?
No.... joking aside, isn't it funny how the children love to vote for their favourite trance DJs? When they grow up not only do they stop voting but they also develop taste getting into music of more integrity..........& something else, do you know that these cheese ball DJs actually canvas for votes in the same way politicians do...... Don't these jerks have anything better to do? Imagine if the decent DJs were to canvas, everything would change overnight & trance would die a very quick death.
9. Do you think it is harder for young DJs to breakthrough these days? What advice would you give to any aspiring DJs?
I think it's easier because the scene is so much bigger although it's no good just being a very good DJ, anyone can mix, it's simple.
To get on in this scene as a DJ you have to also be a good producer & image also helps. Make a bunch of great tunes in the style you play & put them out & you will get noticed if you're any good. Get a decent image together (see green velvet for example) & also try starting your own label & running your own night. Many people think that because they mix 2 tunes together ok that the world owes them a living???? Get real you lot & go out & actually put in some work for what you want & you may just get some results.
10. For those who haven't had the chance to catch you spin before, how would you sum up the style of music you're playing at the moment?
I'd sum my music up as lots of FUN. If you need to pigeon hole it lets call it Modern Acid & Electronic House.
11.What have you been up to in the studio lately? Any new tracks or DJ mixes coming out soon?
I've just started my new label Superfreq Records which will be releasing Electronic House. The 1st release will be 2 tracks by myself called Disco 2 Disco & Underground to The End released at the end of February.
I've also just had a single released under the name Sycophant Slags with my Production partner Francis Harris on Sexonwax records called Digital Love. We've done a video for it that's been A listed on MTV Dance. We also have singles coming out on both End Recordings & Superfreq Records in March & a further single due on Sexonwax. All of the Sycophant Slags stuff is co-produced by Number One Son who this amazing producer from NYC where we record all the slags stuff so loads due out really.
12. What is your most memorable DJing experience?
I've had countless memorable nights at The End at both Subterrain & Superfreq & all of The End's anniversary's have been amazing. Superfreq at Underground Ibiza is also quite an experience. I tend to have a great time every time i play out but i also love The Flame in Bari, Italy, Circoloco Ibiza, countless gigs in South America especially in Argentina have been amazing.
13. Who are your favourite DJs and producers? (Top 5 please)
DJs: (this list changes all the time)
1. Steve bug
2. Andrew Weatheral
3. Francis Harris
4. Toni Rios
5. Damian Lazarus
Producers; (this list also changes all the time)
1. John Tejada
2. Number one Son
3. Steve Bug
4. Tiefschwarz
5. M.A.N.D.Y
14. What are your 5 favourite tracks of all time.
Difficult question as this also changes constantly but here goes:
1. Clear by Cybertron
2. I'm strong by Fingers inc.
3. Acid kiss by Sheila
4. And on by Animus Amor
5. Egypt Egypt by Egyptian Lover
15. Finally, The Guardian told me that dance music is dead; is it?
The Guardian is full of shit. I've heard doomsday sayers saying this very nonsense for the nigh on 20 years i've been involved in electronic music yet the music & scene just gets bigger & bigger all the time. we have new hardware & software coming through all the time & these keep the sounds fresh. Also people have been dancing to percussive rhythm as a part of Human evolution for well over 50,000 years now & i for 1 don't think that it's about to stop Viva Acid House
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Published / Thursday, 03 March 2005
 30 Comments
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