So it's like a short bio / interview.
This time we asked DJ Asylum.
1. Tell us a little about yourself, who you are, where you are from, etc. a little introduction.
I'm from one of Scotland's many busy metropolises in the central belt, a high flying, go get em cityscape called Bathgate, which is probably best known for its Soft Play facility converted to a nightclub called Room At The Top. I've been mixing since the mid 90s (you would think I would have gotten better at it over time) - most older styles of hardcore techno, techno, acid.
I started properly producing in the early 20s and have had tracks out on Deng Deng Hardcore, Omnicore, Superbad MIDI Breaks, SWAN, Rotjecore and Point 44 under DJ Asylum. I also do a more techno side under the name Garrison9.
I run the HCBX YouTube Channel and have a regular Music case where I get Hardcore Techno DJs and Producers to showcase their skills.
2. How did you get involved in Hardcore and its subgenres?
Hardcore techno, Scottish Techno, Bouncy Techno etc were big business in Scotland when I was an impressionable teen, so I naturally got into harder electronic dance music.
I was still at school, maybe about 15, and a friend gave me the Rhythmic State's CD Single Soap on a Rope and also the Dyewitness record Seven Days. My parents had an old hifi stacking system that had a selector button you could switch between inputs so i found that Bass Generator's Creator remix on the CD and Only If I Had One More on the record were about the same speed, so i would spend hours mixing these two track in different ways. After a while, I'd started collecting more records and CDs like the old Mokum compilations Terrordrome. Shortly after getting my first job, I'd purchase a couple of Soundlab belt drives and a basic mixer - then the hardcore vinyl obsession began.
3. What inspires you as a DJ?
I was still at school, maybe about 15, and a friend gave me the Rhythmic State's CD Single Soap on a Rope and also the Dyewitness record Seven Days. My parents had an old hifi stacking system that had a selector button you could switch between inputs so i found that Bass Generator's Creator remix on the CD and Only If I Had One More on the record were about the same speed, so i would spend hours mixing these two track in different ways. After a while, I'd started collecting more records and CDs like the old Mokum compilations Terrordrome. Shortly after getting my first job, I'd purchase a couple of Soundlab belt drives and a basic mixer - then the hardcore vinyl obsession began.
3. What inspires you as a DJ?
When I first started out, Marc Smith was a big influence. Thought his mixing was amazing. Carl Cox and Jeff Mills at that time could mix - I tried to recreate their sets when I was a lad. Then when my tastes got a bit harder, Loftgroover and Mark N did it for me - both of them did something a bit different. I think that's important. Lofty, with introducing Metal to his sets, Mark N with Hip Hop and stuff like the Jaws theme playing through his sets. They were interesting. Always loved the 90s Lenny Dee - his sets around Scotland were legendary. Track selections on point.
4. What equipment, setup are you using for your mixes?
4. What equipment, setup are you using for your mixes?
I have a couple of Numark turntables and a basic Numark 2 channel mixer. I've had these for the last 5 or 6 years - I think basic is good when it comes to mixing. I've always tried to do things on a shoestring budget (being a stingy Scotsman). One of the pitch controls is fucked on one of my turntables though - as soon as you set it to 0 the speed goes up and down like a yoyo. May need to upgrade soon. As mentioned above, I started off on the old Soundlab belt drives which I've toyed with the idea of getting again. I really enjoyed the challenge of these! I've also had a Hercules controller for the last couple of years as I've mixed more digitally since most of the best tracks are not out on vinyl these days - Just use the free DJuced software that came with it. But I much prefer spinning records.
For productions I have a Behringer TD3 (303 clone), A Korg Volca Kick and a crappy midi keyboard. Run these through Ableton (the cheap version!). Currently saving up the cash to get an RD9 (909 clone), but my washing machine packed in the other week, so the savings went to a new one of those. I've been experimenting more with recording random sounds and turning them into percussion.
5. Is there something particular you want to express with your music? Emotions, an idea, something political?
For productions I have a Behringer TD3 (303 clone), A Korg Volca Kick and a crappy midi keyboard. Run these through Ableton (the cheap version!). Currently saving up the cash to get an RD9 (909 clone), but my washing machine packed in the other week, so the savings went to a new one of those. I've been experimenting more with recording random sounds and turning them into percussion.
5. Is there something particular you want to express with your music? Emotions, an idea, something political?
Music is a big thing for me, call it escapism or whatever. Whatever mood you are in - there's a track out there that will improve it. Tracks with a bit of rage, anger and aggression hit the spot. Drowns out other stuff in life. I find myself drawn to a lot of repetitive music too, be it Hardcore, techno etc, but also a lot of drone and post punk music. Bands like Protomartyr and the Fall do it well. Massive repetitive build up until the tension hits max, then they bring out an unexpected chord change and really raise the game at the end of the track (Check out the track Half Sister by Protomartyr for an audible representation of what I'm unsuccessfully trying to say!). I want to bring this kind of tension build up into my music and then plonk a big "Fuck You" at the end. It's that whole thing of going on a journey and getting rewarded/slapped in the face at the end of it - so you can have your escapism. I'm not saying that's what my music does, but that's what I want to achieve.
6. How were / are your experiences with gigs and parties? Good, bad, dull, exciting?
6. How were / are your experiences with gigs and parties? Good, bad, dull, exciting?
When I was younger, there were lots of parties going on where I grew up. Events like Rezerection (I lived about 5 miles from the site) were going on and these were great parties, my first being the Event 2, where I first experienced Loftgroover and Lenny Dee - that was like an awakening with the harder stuff at the time. There were lots of smaller events and some clubs like The Fubar in Stirling which had great hardcore nights. Roll on a couple of years though, and it felt like the scene died a death in Scotland - any events were more cheesy happy hardcore which I didn't really relate to, and most of my friend group that I got into hardcore with, had started listening exclusively to house music and getting into the club scene. I started heading south to Newcastle as the Judgement Day events were still in full swing at the Student's Union. I was lucky enough to play a few gigs at Judgement Day in the harder room, but again, numbers started dwindling.
It's pretty sporadic in Scotland now - the occasional night/event, but it's mostly newer style stuff. I probably should have been born in mainland Europe.
7. What are some mixes, broadcasts, performances, or other stuff you did, that you found exceptionally interesting, or that were extraordinary in some other way? Let us know.
It's pretty sporadic in Scotland now - the occasional night/event, but it's mostly newer style stuff. I probably should have been born in mainland Europe.
7. What are some mixes, broadcasts, performances, or other stuff you did, that you found exceptionally interesting, or that were extraordinary in some other way? Let us know.
I put a fair bit of effort into the HCBXCast series I have on my YouTube channel which I'm pretty proud of. I almost started doing this by accident - I wanted to do a mix series and invite people on every month, but I set my first Cast as a premiere on my Youtube channel and random people started live chatting on it, which was flippin' brilliant. It's grown arms and legs since then and we have just booked episode 50 - It's great getting the regulars on the chat these days, and there is always some great banter about hardcore and various other stuff. I think it's that whole community thing. We're a relatively small collection of people but connected by the love of some crazy ass music. So accidentally starting this chat has really pushed me to keep contacting people to play.
8. Any other interesting / funny / emotional stories that you had in your "Hardcore history" that you want to share?
8. Any other interesting / funny / emotional stories that you had in your "Hardcore history" that you want to share?
My first ever gig was when I was about 16 or 17 at a pub called Seven Oaks which was near where I grew up. I'd been asked to stand in for a DJ that couldn't make it and it was for someone's 18th birthday. Was told that "they all like the same kinda music you do". Probably wasn't the case, and no one really expected or wanted to listen to recent hits by Delta 9, Bodylotion and DOA. I was supposed to play for 3 hours and the only non hardcore record I had was Underworld's Born Slippy. Anyway the crowd started to turn on me after a while, so I ended up firing on Underworld to rapturous applause. Think I played all 3 mixes on the record then made a sharp exit. An interesting learning experience on "know your crowd".
The weirdest gig I played in was in a barn on a farm in the middle of nowhere near Newcastle. I was pretty smashed, but I have a memory of the decks being set up on hay bales. But I may have made that up.
9. What other DJs / artists do you admire?
The weirdest gig I played in was in a barn on a farm in the middle of nowhere near Newcastle. I was pretty smashed, but I have a memory of the decks being set up on hay bales. But I may have made that up.
9. What other DJs / artists do you admire?
I've been honoured to get some cracking DJs and producers on the HCBXCast Show and I always go after artists that I admire so too many to mention. Think the one that I admire the most is Spliff Monk - he's a cracking DJ and I've been well chuffed to get some sets of his on to various events I've set up. What I admire most is his productions under his Hammer Damage alias. I've called out a few times that "Help Us" on his Sensory Violation label is one of, if not the best hardcore techno track ever written. Goosebumps every time I hear it.
Oliver Chesler is someone I admire a lot - in particular the Temper Tantrum and Narcanosis output. The DOA boys, anything on Kotzaak.... I could go on forever.
Out of the newer crew - I dig a lot of Pardonax's tracks. I like how he produces using mainly samples (as I try to do) and I nearly always find a way to get one of his tracks on my sets.
From an innovation point of view - Low Entropy (you can send me the fiver later!) - Cracking Label in Onmi/Doomcore, the Overdogs eZine - some of the articles on AI production etc etc. Definitely pushed the hardcore community forward.
10. What are some of your favorite records or tracks?
Oliver Chesler is someone I admire a lot - in particular the Temper Tantrum and Narcanosis output. The DOA boys, anything on Kotzaak.... I could go on forever.
Out of the newer crew - I dig a lot of Pardonax's tracks. I like how he produces using mainly samples (as I try to do) and I nearly always find a way to get one of his tracks on my sets.
From an innovation point of view - Low Entropy (you can send me the fiver later!) - Cracking Label in Onmi/Doomcore, the Overdogs eZine - some of the articles on AI production etc etc. Definitely pushed the hardcore community forward.
10. What are some of your favorite records or tracks?
Hmmm... I could go on for a while here, but I'll try and limit it.
I've already mentioned Help Us by Hammer Damage. John Selway's Spy record on Industrial Strength. Delta 9's Hate Tank double on DBN. The Surgeon General by Pressurehead is my go to Hardcore track just now. The Zeed / Skrewface EP on Redhead records. Cyclopede's What. 96 Knights. Right: need to move off hardcore.
From a techno point of view - Madonna303 - Praise the Lord on Temple. Trust True's EP on RIOT Radio Records. 100% Acidiferous - Tank.
From non electronic music - The Mars Volta - Deloused in the Comatorium album. Idles - Brutalism. The Fall - Perverted by Language.
11. What are you aiming for in your music? Any goals, visions, things that you want to achieve?
I've already mentioned Help Us by Hammer Damage. John Selway's Spy record on Industrial Strength. Delta 9's Hate Tank double on DBN. The Surgeon General by Pressurehead is my go to Hardcore track just now. The Zeed / Skrewface EP on Redhead records. Cyclopede's What. 96 Knights. Right: need to move off hardcore.
From a techno point of view - Madonna303 - Praise the Lord on Temple. Trust True's EP on RIOT Radio Records. 100% Acidiferous - Tank.
From non electronic music - The Mars Volta - Deloused in the Comatorium album. Idles - Brutalism. The Fall - Perverted by Language.
11. What are you aiming for in your music? Any goals, visions, things that you want to achieve?
I really need to get my finger out and try and do some live gigs again. Get in touch with promoters etc and stop procrastinating. Anyone reading this... I'll probably play for you for a couple of beers and a sandwich. I do weddings, birthdays, funerals...
I have about 50 unfinished tracks - need to finish these and ping them out to some labels. I have a habit of finishing a couple of tracks and then just releasing them myself which is probably why about 3 people listen to them! However, I just want to continue producing tracks that I dig listening to myself. If other people like them, excellente!
I would like to have my own record label and churn out some actual records - not sure I currently have the finances for this - not even sure if there's the demand for anyone to buy the sort of stuff I would want to pump out! Plus I haven't the foggiest about how I would go about it! But it is a dream!
12. What are your plans for the near future? Upcoming mixes, gigs, and such.
I have about 50 unfinished tracks - need to finish these and ping them out to some labels. I have a habit of finishing a couple of tracks and then just releasing them myself which is probably why about 3 people listen to them! However, I just want to continue producing tracks that I dig listening to myself. If other people like them, excellente!
I would like to have my own record label and churn out some actual records - not sure I currently have the finances for this - not even sure if there's the demand for anyone to buy the sort of stuff I would want to pump out! Plus I haven't the foggiest about how I would go about it! But it is a dream!
12. What are your plans for the near future? Upcoming mixes, gigs, and such.
I'm planning a set of my own tracks that I could potentially do something live with. This will incorporate unreleased and released stuff, but not just mixing them. I want to make one big massive track out of them all so there's a nice flow - no one should know when one track finishes and another begins, sort of thing. Not like the Grease Megamix, honest.
I need to work on getting some more people involved in HCBXCast - there's probably only a finite number of DJs out there that are playing in the Channel's style and I really don't want to branch out in the newer styles of hardcore - but I really enjoy getting all those talented individuals on board and pumping out tunes.
13. What do you think of the "Hardcore scene" right now? Anything you'd like to change?
I need to work on getting some more people involved in HCBXCast - there's probably only a finite number of DJs out there that are playing in the Channel's style and I really don't want to branch out in the newer styles of hardcore - but I really enjoy getting all those talented individuals on board and pumping out tunes.
13. What do you think of the "Hardcore scene" right now? Anything you'd like to change?
It blows my mind to see how many people rock up to some of the newer style events in Europe for example. I know it's technically a similar genre, but it feels quite over produced and commercial. Doesn't really speak to me as much. Maybe I'm just getting old, but the older style made new is the way forward for me. Maybe I need to get out more!
But back to that community piece - the part of the "Hardcore scene" I'm in is really supportive and everyone is keen to get involved, albeit probably more virtually than in person - But I think we're all pretty spread out.
14. What other music besides Hardcore do you like, or are involved in?
But back to that community piece - the part of the "Hardcore scene" I'm in is really supportive and everyone is keen to get involved, albeit probably more virtually than in person - But I think we're all pretty spread out.
14. What other music besides Hardcore do you like, or are involved in?
I'm constantly listening to music from lots of different styles. As mentioned above, I record and mix techno (mostly acid) under the alias Garrison9, and I've been lucky enough to have had releases on Freddy Fresh's Analog Records and Bad Omen's Ruthless Ghetto Records. I mess about with people in different music styles - I play the guitar and bass and head round to friends places who write music and jam along with them.
Mostly though I love going to see bands play live. I'm usually at a gig every other week. Saw some cracking bands in the last few months such as Idles, The Black Angels and The Brian Jonestown Massacre. My next gigs are Bambara and the Viagra Boys... both highly recommended. Check them out.
15. What other interests or activities besides strictly music do you want to mention? Like painting art, movies or political activism...
Mostly though I love going to see bands play live. I'm usually at a gig every other week. Saw some cracking bands in the last few months such as Idles, The Black Angels and The Brian Jonestown Massacre. My next gigs are Bambara and the Viagra Boys... both highly recommended. Check them out.
15. What other interests or activities besides strictly music do you want to mention? Like painting art, movies or political activism...
I used to paint years ago - pop culture style stuff. I got a bit fed up with it as people were asking me to do similar styles for pictures of their children and pet rabbits and the like and that wasn't what I set out to do.
I'm a family guy though so the wife and kids take up most of my time, which is great.
16. Anything else you want to tell our readers? Whatever it is, feel free to say it!
I'm a family guy though so the wife and kids take up most of my time, which is great.
16. Anything else you want to tell our readers? Whatever it is, feel free to say it!
Keep the hardcore techno sound alive. Don't just consume. Create. Write a track, do a mix, reach out to a hardcore head that inspires you. Collaborate. Massive thanks to LE and The HT Overdogs set up for being a massive part of that.
DJ Asylum socials:
DJ Asylum socials:
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/djasylumhc
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/DJAsylumHC/
Beatport : https://www.beatport.com/artist/dj-asylum/835361
Bandcamp : https://djasylum.bandcamp.com/
Discogs : https://www.discogs.com/artist/9761863-DJ-Asylum-2
Spotify : https://open.spotify.com/artist/47RdSoFM6NGiGhv45eiWMa
Deezer : https://www.deezer.com/en/artist/82883442
Soundcloud : https://soundcloud.com/hibsfan
Mixcloud : https://www.mixcloud.com/DJAsylum
Garrison9
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/garrison9_/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/106046565463843/
Bandcamp - https://garrison9.bandcamp.com/
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/38kOcI2kM3Aosv9ZMOvQT1?si=IU3q93aHRlWuRWHTwtf4VA
Deezer - https://deezer.page.link/yurANqofvAs5NRhZ7
Soundcloud - https://on.soundcloud.com/TNB4t
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