Volatile State (Bigs Promotions) was an early-1990s UK rave promoter active around 1991–1992. They ran events at venues and warehouses in London (e.g. Wonderland Arena, Wax Club on Hackney Marshes and Tasco Warehouse in Plumstead) and collaborated with other promoters (notably Elevation).
Published
5th June 1992 (approx)
Pages
8 (A5 B&W)
Strapline
MORE UPFRONT THAN DOLLY PARTON
No one on both sides of the water has carved a name quite so respected on the techno/house scene as the Belgian producer and D.J. Frank De Wulf. In the business his name is a legend but in being responsible for over a hundred mixes and for the still much played B-Sides material he is endearingly modest. Last week he performed as a D.J., at Heaven. We cornered him on Saturday and dragged him down to Technopolis at the Astoria for a brief interrogation.
R.S. How does the U.K. house scene differ from Europe?
F. You cannot buy breakbeat tunes in Belgium, which is a great pity, much as it is that you cannot buy Euro easily here now, there is so much good music being ignored.
R.S. What do you think of the Breakbeat style?
F. Many of the samples used are very tired now, there is a dangerous lack of originality in the style but I like it very much. I have spent all my money on Breakbeat records this time here.
R.S. When can we hope to see a new B-Sides release.
F. We are still negotiating with R and S records so hopefully very soon but nothing is 99% we are still open to deals. Something we look forward to a lot as theres nothing quite like a B-Sides tune for an outdoors Summer stomp. If you’re not familiar with them check out the Reactivate albums Vol 1 & Vol 2.
Published
22nd May 1992 (approx)
Pages
8 (A5 B&W)
Strapline
HARDCORE BLIMEY MATE
Two brothers, two sounds, one set.
There is no hype about Shaggy & Breeze. They’ve worked slowly and steadily to build up their reputations to the point where they’re regularly playing major clubs and events up and down the country. When we talked to them we were struck by both similarities and differences. In looks they both wear their hair long, Shaggy fair and Breeze dark. Shaggy’s the elder by three years and acts as the spokesman, but Breeze definately holds his own opinions. When playing out they don’t work out their set beforehand, but take a selection of records to suit any crowd. They pride themselves on reacting to the ravers both as to what they play and to who plays. Breeze plays more bass, Shaggy more bouncy and dancey. They also chuck in lots of their own bits, like the Speaking clock and crowd noises, which is partly in reaction to what they perceive as the blandness of much of the music that is being issued. Quantity, rather than quality is how they see some record companies output. They feel that this is reflected in todays events which can be totally predictable, compared to the old days, when you never knew how the night would tum out.
We last saw them playing at Reincarnation, where Breeze played the majority of the rocking set, and their MC, MC II Reel, whipped up the crowd all the way.
Their future plans include more vinyl, but not necessarily under their own name, and to carry on doing just what they do best.
Compiled by Shaggy & Breeze