Darren styles | The HARD DATA

Growing up to the sounds of hardcore and hearing that one of your hardcore super heroes is dropping by your home town city to spin a set is simply early Christmas. Earlier in the week Dougal posted on social media that he was treated for what I believe was a kidney stone and I thought I would experience my first time in my years of raving, a Dj playing from a wheelchair. I know that’s not how I would love to see Dougal again but knowing he was actually going to make it and not miss the gig made me so proud and excited.

Working late night Friday and having to be up at 5am Saturday didn’t stop me from dropping by to see Dj Dougal. I arrived to the event at 11:00 pm and couldn’t believe that the legend himself, Dougal, was going to be playing only minutes from my home. I walked into a music store/studio and immediately got the happy vibes. The walls were shaking, the 4/4 beats and piano riffs made my ears wiggle. All of a sudden I heard the unique and talented scrubbing (scratching) and without looking at the time slots I knew it had to be Flap Jack on the decks. I made my way to the main room and there he was, Flap Jack dropping Set you free by N-Trance. The room had pictures of portal dimensions and there was a projector spitting images of Rick and Morty. There was an actual stage surrounded by speakers. It was hot, it was steamy, it was old school. The vibes in that room were those of the early 2000’s where everyone was dancing and chanting the lyrics.

Dj Flap Jack dropping Set you free by N-Trance Photo by Kari Shirai

I made my way to the lounge area of the venue where there were sofas and resting areas with a couple of game counsels for the party goers to enjoy. As I made my way to the outside patio to cool down, I noticed goers coming out from a room deep in the patio with thumping music and lasers. I started walking towards the room and I could hear a deep and dark kick, snares and hi-hats. The beats were banging, the crowd was grooving and on the decks was one of LA’s old school underground techno Dj’s, Alexander. Felt as if I was at an early underground techno party.

I started to make my way back to the “sweatbox”, as some of us call it, to catch the last of Flap Jack’s set and prepared for Dougal. Dj Dougal walked into the room and made his way to the back room to prepare himself. The room started to get more crowded, the goers screamed with excitement, everyone was smiling and greeting each other. Dj Dougal comes on the stage, opens up with You and I by Darren Styles and Gammer. The crowd goes bonkers! Dougal was pumped and Dougal was standing, he delivered us one heck of a set. The crowd was chanting every song and all of a sudden I lost my mind when one of my favorite tunes was dropped, Luv u more by Paul Elstak.

Dj Dougal Playing Luv u more by Paul Elstak, Photo by Kari Shirai

I sang, I danced and I felt loved. Happy Hardcore will always hold a special place in my heart. The party was epic and I am so thankful with everyone at Project Phantasy and SCC for putting such hard work and dedication to this event. Thank you guys for keeping hardcore alive and always having such epic events in the surrounding cities where I grew up listening to happy hardcore, promoting and preaching the same message as you, HTID!

My car hurtled to the Inland Empire Saturday night towards the much anticipated “Project Z”, which promised to be a grand marrying of two of Insomniac’s hardest brands, Basscon and Bassrush. These brands represent their hardstyle, hardcore, drum and bass, and “bass” music as it’s increasingly being called, I guess to obscure the fact what’s really being played is hyped up dubstep.

The techno rabbits invade Project Z! - photo by Mike Ortiz — The techno rabbits invade Project Z! – photo by Mike Ortiz

Parking was 15 bucks if you didn’t want to risk your car getting jacked in San Bernardino that night. I think $15 is actually a pretty fair price, considering most cars are filled with 4-5 people going to these shows. I had no problems getting in or out. Getting into and out of the party was pleasantly hassle free unlike some events I’ve been to over the last few years that seem more like a slog through airport security than a concert.

Upon entering the NOS Events center, I was surprised to feel that “old school rave” feeling amongst the crowd. I even, I swear to BASS, smelled Vic’s Vapo-Rub at one point. The party featured two arenas with amazing lights and sound, and a walkabout area that featured merchandise booths, food trucks, some spray paint graffiti murals, and a small sound system playing a lot of rawstyle. Plus, there were various places people just hung out at and chilled.

Project Z ravers! - Photo by Mike Ortiz — Project Z ravers! – Photo by Mike Ortiz

Musically, the high point of the night for me was SNAILS. This surprised even me, as I usually stick to the Basscon arena more than Bassrush. But, the production in the Bassrush arena had a bit of an unfair advantage. They got the fancy video screens and lighting rig from the old Circuit Ground arena from last year’s Nocturnal Wonderland. It’s an amazing set-up and it was nice to see it utilized for the harder styles.

The sold-out show was a testament to the marriage of the two brands that some might argue should have never been separated in the first place. America has always like breaks with their kick drums and it’s arguably the distinctive sound of the rave era. The 10,000 ravers that filled the NOS Events Center Saturday might be the vanguard of a new style of American rave music unencumbered by the prejudices of the European establishment. We shall see!

Dedicated to the harder sound of electronic dance music.