Robots and raving have become synonymous over the last year, vith the faceless space-age beings becoming characters in their own right. One of the best known must be Bill the Robot alias Cyberpunk on Techno stilts. He was the metallic monster on the Altern 8 video, did the splits on stilts on stage at Reincarnation, and was the enormous 14′ high robot at Raindance. You may have also seen him at Elevation, Telepathy and numerous other events up and down the country. Bill is a raving robot and has been for the last three years. He was working in a non-animal circus until he met a made lazer man and together they developed a lazer robot for Glastonbury.
As techno music has a year 2000 futuristic aspect, so robots and raving are ideal partners. Lots of ravers can dance robotically, but the Cyberpunk has made an art out of raving, roller skating and dancing on stilts. He takes a lot of care over his costumes and much thought has to go into the design and weight is a major consideration. It becomes even more complicated when mirrors are incorporated to deflect the lazer beams. Such shows have to be carefully choreographed with the lazer operator, and the overall effect can be stunning. Look out for him at major events over the summer, but give him plenty of space to get the full effect.
Powerhouse Promotions present Our World
ADVERTS
Calling The Hardcore – Win a pair of tickets to a rave of your choice (Headstrong Promotions)
Pirate Club & Delirium – Every Saturday @ Roller Express
In-ter-dance presents Rave Of The Races – Friday 11th September
‘Keep it underground’ was the parting words of Asides, 1/3 part member of ‘Citadel of Kaos’, the first release for new label Bombastic Plastic which is already creating a nationwide buzz on the strength of 100 test presses alone. We asked Jason, alias Asides, and Jan formerly Sub Terra why Bombastic Plastic was part of this outlook.
‘Things have got to be taken to a more musical point. The guys that are writing the underground stuff are the talented people they are using keyboards while the people these days who are making the money are just using 100% shit samples, that are being twisted or turned. They might sound a bit different but there’s no-one out there writing serious riffs’. Asides continues, ‘the samples have taken over from the music, there needs to be more rhythm, people are just writing what sells’. This is what Bombastic Plastic are reacting against and they herald as their philosophy a distinct sense of value for money. They also aim to keep the financial aspect away from the purity of the music, ‘At the end of the day we just want to get by and survive, do it because you love it’. Although they don’t agree with the high degree of sampling in most Rave/hardcore music (terms they express unease at using and feel the real underground ‘needs no title’) they appreciate the benefit of a sampler if used imaginatively in moderation. The third member Simon, from Earth Leakage Trip, although not present 1s highly acclaimed for his technical ability to construct a sample without the help of a sampler ‘The style of house selling at the moment, Simon could copy and improve that stuff so easily, but he’s just not into it — he’s an originator’. Asides adds amusingly, ‘he’s our secret weapon!’
Judging by the EP, all three possess a wealth of musical talent but what divine inspiration actually fused this alliance into existence? ‘I think we all got together through the problems we’ve had, we’ve ali been knocked — that is why we started up in the first place. You can’t trust anyone out there but we reckon we can tmust each other’. Indeed there has been problems by chance they heard two of their tracks at a pressing plant being pressed up unknowingly by another label, fortunately the situation turned out for the good and a deal was reached with Bombastic Plastic. The name of one of the tracks ‘Space Cakes’ has allegedly been adopted by another well known house outfit and recently a tune destined for Top 40 status used one of Asides samples! But with a possible Fabio remix of the EP and a one track signing to Telstar, they remain optimistic.
‘Out of everything that has happened, it has put this label together. They say something good always comes out of something bad, and we are turning bad things into something positive’.
Citadel Of Kaos
ADVERTS
Fascination – 8th August 1992 @ The Warehouse, 138 – 140 Nathan Way, Plumstead, London SE28
JPS Lighting Ltd
Core Promotions & Midi Management Lrd present ‘The Prodify’ @ Basildon Festival Hall
Shrine presents Sanctuary – Saturday 8th August @ Mallard Park Warehouse, Peterborough
Double Dipped – Saturday 15th August @ 12 Dalston Lane, Hackney, London E8
Labrynth / 2000 AD Productions present Desire ’92, Saturday 15th August @ The Tasco Warehouse
Premier Hardcore Rave Line
The Pirate Club, Delirium Promotions & Rave In Peace present Smiley Revival Party @ Roller Express
Volatile State – Friday 7th August @ The Tasco Warehouse
Bass Box – Sunday 30th August @ Unit H9, Hastingwood Trading Estate, London N18
London Laser Company
Erotica At Grange Farm – Every Saturday @ High Road, Chigwell, Essex
World Dance – Saturday 8th August @ Lydd International Airport, Kent
Vinyl Mania Records, 214 Northfields Avenue, London W13
Wax City Records, 306 -308 London Road, Croydon
PRS Productions present Shock To The System – Saturday 1st August @ The Tasco Warehouse
Aquarius – Every Saturday @ The Rocket, 166 – 220 Holloway Road, London N7
JPS Lighting Ltd
RAVE LISTINGS
World Dance (World Dance & Bliss) Saturday 8th August. Lydd International Airport, Kent
