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BK and Pete Wardman Grill Each Other Ahead of Riot! Classics!

Reported by Tom Cypher / Submitted 13-01-10 20:34

Hard dance legends BK and Pete Wardman will be taking behind the decks at Riot's Classics party this week. Playing a back to back special for the first time, the Trade boys grill each other ahead of this weeks event!

BK Interviews Pete Wardman!

BK: You are a true legend and pioneer in Hard Dance. In fact I spent a lot of my early days giving you demos and asking your advice. When you first began, what was the best piece of advice you had been given and who was it from?

Pete Wardman: It was probably from Tony De Vit, who said to me “Iit's better being seven out of 10 every gig, rather than 10 out of 10 once in a blue moon.” And he was right! Being consistent is definitely one of the tricks.



You have had an extensive radio career and had the best hard dance show on Kiss for many years. (Pete –THANKS! (BLUSHES!). When hard dance first started, did you have to fight to play the harder stuff on air like today and also do you have any funny or embarrassing ‘on air’ stories?

I definitely had a fight on my hands sometimes. I can remember early on when I was doing my weekday show on Kiss one afternoon I was playing Eighteen Strings by Tinman (the one that samples Nirvana 'Smells Like Teen Spirit') when the studio door opened and a senior member of the management team yelled at me "I never want to hear this record played on Kiss ever again!" She really meant it - and the studio door slammed shut. It was perhaps rather unfortunate for her that the track reached number one in the gallup charts two weeks later, guaranteeing it a place on the playlist for quite some time after!

I've got loads of embarrassing stories - but I’ll skip those to offer this tale that perhaps was the most bizarre experience ever to happen to me whilst on the radio. It was late one Friday night and I was doing a live two hour mix show on Kiss 100. Normally I'd record this and be out doing a gig somewhere - but on this particular night I didn’t have any gigs so thought I'd do it live as live programmes are FAR more fun to do than pre-records. Midway though the show I noticed that the room had begun to fill with smoke. I didn't pay much attention until it got seriously worse, and sent the studio producer to go and investigate. She didn't return (thanks Hilka!) so I continued with the show. Fifteen minutes later I could barely see through the smoke, but as the fire alarm hadn't gone off I didn't think there was any particular danger, until another 10 minutes passed and the studio was invaded by firemen wearing breathing apparatus who literally pulled me down the back stairs and out of the building.

Apparently an arsonist had thrown a petrol bomb through the window of the next door building which by now was a raging inferno - and the smoke from the blaze was pouring through the adjoining wall into the Kiss studio complex and into the air conditioning system. I hadn't been able to find the emergency tape which we were supposed to go to in the event of utter calamity whilst the firemen was ejecting me from the studio. Instead I resorted to putting on the longest bit of pre-recorded audio I could find which happened to be a CD compilation mix - Trade Volume 4! I thought this might buy me enough time until we were let back into the building, however the fire crew wouldn't let us back until the fire next door was out. That was nearly two hours later and so consequently we went off the air!

I can remember a motley collection of workers from Kiss shivering outside the building on Holloway Road for around two hours until we were given the all clear at something like three am Saturday morning. What's more - I never did find out why our fire alarm didn't go off!

We are playing a back to back classics set at Riot on 15th January- it’s a first for us. We spent many years DJing and socializing at Trade together but have never done a back to back. What is your most iconic record from the Trade days and why? Also are you going to play any records that are f*cking impossible to mix out off? (Haha!)

It's difficult to pin it down to just one - but I'll never forget the first time I heard Let's Rock in there (Turnmills) and the place went off like I'd never seen before. I saw that kind of thing happen many times since though at Trade but I guess the first time you witness something like that, words just can't describe what an amazing experience it is. I feel genuine sorrow for clubbers who never experienced a 'Trade at Turnmills' (and sadly now can't as the venue has gone). Wonderful, wonderful madness of the highest order. Am I going to play any records that are impossible to mix out of? Dunno - who's on after us? Should I find some?!



If you were ever to start a riot what would be your reason and how would you start it?

I've never started a riot - but I was once pretty close to being involved in one. It was when I was a student - circa 1984 ish - in London in Trafalgar Square, as part of a (very large) demonstration outside the South African embassy against the (then) Apartheid regime there. What had been a peaceful demo suddenly turned nasty and the violence I witnessed made it a pretty scary experience for a while, especially as there was no way out as the crowd of thousands were contained in a police cordon. It was rumoured they wouldn't even let in ambulances to tend to the injured.

Years later (roughly around 1997/8ish) I was in Cape Town DJing and I'd taken advantage of some time off to visit Roben Island - the Island which housed the prison just off the coast near Cape Town where Nelson Mandela and many other political prisoners had been incarcerated for years during the De Clerk/Apartheid regime. By the time of my visit the prison wasn't operative but was still open as a tourist attraction and, interestingly, some of the tour guides working there were ex-prisoners. I was being shown around by an amazing man who'd been locked up for years in the cell next to Mr Mandela. I was absolutely fascinated by him, his stories, and his motivation for even wanting to show white westerners around this jail he'd probably detested for so many years as a prisoner. He asked me eventually what was prompting my obvious interest in him - and I told him the story that as a young student I'd taken part in this demo in Trafalgar Square, probably rather naively without even knowing many of the facts of what was going on. He had tears in his eyes and shook my hand as he thanked me for getting involved and doing something - he said he thought that the student demos in the UK at that time played a real part in changing the course of events in South Africa. I told him that I hadn't done nearly enough and always felt I should've done much more. I've honestly never felt more humbled in my life.

If you could ask anyone you wanted one question who and what would you ask?

Blimey - there's so many questions, for so many people. But they all involve people who aren't alive now to ask unfortunately.



Apart from this interview - what is the most annoying question you always get asked and why?

“What was that record you played at that club you saw me at...ooh years ago it was...you know, the night of my sister's birthday...and you played this tune right after that other one...what was it called? Ooh you know, it goes like (sound of incoherent humming for five seconds) You remember don't you?" It's not annoying and I know the question is meant enthusiastically! It's just really unlikely I'll ever remember as - honest - I'm a crap trainspotter with a really bad memory! (And I swear to God - that was a real question I was once asked. The girl in question was called Shelley by the way, and she was wearing a red dress. Sadly - despite this incredible attention to detail...I still couldn't remember the track!).

When you are at a party what's your party trick? (I think I know the answer to this, lets see if you can make it printable!)

I can fire table tennis balls in rapid succession out of my ass into BK's record box from 50 yards, blindfolded, and not miss the target once. Ok, I'm lying but I've got a week to practise before the gig. It should put genuine fear into the phrase "back to back" in the future...waddya think?!

Pete Wardman Interviews BK!

Pete Wardman: You're also one of the pioneers of hard dance - in the early days when I first met you, you were a tape operator at one of the big recording studios in London. What would you say was the most important thing you learnt then that you put into practice in getting where you are today?

BK: Funnily enough DJing for you and TDV you always said, "Never touch the record when DJing, use the pitch control" That’s still how I DJ now. As far as production goes it’s really important to find your own sound and move with the times. There is no point making the same record over and over. Attitude is also important. Always get stuck in and have a go, never be afraid to try something new.



What do you think is the most crucial rule when it comes to being a good DJ and standing above the ordinary?

Listen to the crowd not the critics. Don’t be too much up your own arse. Entertain and educate. If you can become part of the party when you play, you’re on to a winner.

We've never done a back to back before (although we have at plenty of chill outs!) but have partied at Trade many times. What has been the absolute stand out records from Trade that have got you going as a clubber?

There are so many it’s almost impossible to choose. Every time I think about it, another tune springs to mind. TDV Are You Ready although it is an obvious choice holds a lot of fond memories for me. I remember seeing him play it on a dub plate for the first time. So does the The First Rebirth and so does Kenmore - 24/27 and Kitty Lips - Fuck Me. I could go on for ever!

You've been one of my best mates for a while now and you're far too nice to cause a riot. But what would be the cause that would stir you enough to man the barricades? Politics? Injustice?

I almost did when you played the last tune at Trade at Turmills! They had to drag Farley and I out kicking and screaming! To be honest I don’t get that worked up about anything apart from automated telephone systems when all you want to do is speak to a real person!

We often talk about the best gigs that we've played at - but usually try to forget the bad ones. Without slandering yourself (!) what's been the absolute worst gig you've ever done and why does it get that dubious honour?

Right were do I start! Well my worst gig ever was on a volcano in Malaysia. The actual gig was great, really busy and in an amazing location. ‘What’s the problem?’ I hear you ask! I picked up a severe case of food poisoning. A case so bad I was hospitalized back in the UK for two weeks. Every time I put a CD on I just had to run off stage to be sick and use the toilet which was no more than a hole dug into the ground with a wall round it! Not a pretty sight! The last DJ had left and the next had not arrived. So I had to do this for 90mins straight!



I've known you now for something like 15 years. Tell me something about yourself that I still don't already know?!

I never used to like baked beans but now I do!

When you're at a party what's your party trick? (Same as yours! I think it makes sense to end on the same thing)

Sneaking out unnoticed.


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Catch BK and Pete Wardman at Riot! Classics, Friday 15th January at matter alongside Lisa Pin-Up, Anne Savage, Scott Attrill, Slipmatt, Andy Farley and Ian M. For more info / tickets visit - Ticketweb


Photos courtesy of Cyper PR. Not to be reproduced without permission.



Riot! Classics
Send an eFlyer for this event to a friend Include this Event in a Private Message Direct link to this Event
On: Friday 15th January 2010
At: MATTER [map]

From: 22.00 - 06.00
Cost: £5 Early Bird from ticketweb / matter website. More on the door.
Website: bit.ly/riotclassics_facebook
Ticket Info: £5 Early Bird from ticketweb / matter website. More on the door
Buy Online: Click here to buy tickets
More: LISA PIN-UP
(THE ORIGINAL TIDY GIRL!)

ANNE SAVAGE
(THE QUEEN OF HARD BEATS!)

BK & PETE WARDMAN
(EXCLUSIVE BACK 2 BACK PARTY SET!)

SCOTT ATTRILL & SLIPMATT
(EXCLUSIVE OLD SKOOL SET!)

ANDY FARLEY & IAN M
(THE GODFATHERS OF HARD DANCE!)

CALLY GAGE & ED REAL

AARON JAMES & MAT G

NIK SPIERS & JENNARATE


10PM – 6AM @ MATTER, PENINSULA SQ, LONDON.
http://www.riotinlondon.com

FACEBOOK EVENT PAGE: http://bit.ly/riotclassics_facebook
After a great run of parties in their new home matter, Riot! are very pleased to announce their first bash of the decade, Riot! Classics. Taking place on January 15th, what better way to get through the dismal wintery months than a good old knees up, Riot! style?! For the bargain price of a fiver you can do just that with a cracking line up to boot!

** THE ORIGINAL TIDY GIRLS**
Riot! welcomes two of the original Tidy Girls to the decks, Lisa Pin Up and Anne Savage. Lisa Pin Up has had a very busy year playing at some of the biggest raves across the globe and preparing for her new tour ‘Neon Glam’. Off the decks Lisa is a prolific producer, having produced countless releases for some of the biggest labels in the scene that includes over 20 releases for the renowned Nukleuz Records as well as mixing some of the biggest selling compilations of the decade. Anne Savage has also had a very hectic 2009 playing her 11th consecutive year in Ibiza plus touring Canada, US, Malaysia, Australia and Japan. Anne has also been busy in the studio, working on an a new album project with Riot! head honcho BK.

** KEEPING IT CLASSIC**
We have some very exciting sets in store for this event! With BK and Pete Wardman playing Back 2 Back, Scott Attrill will be taking on the mighty Slipmatt for an epic old skool set whilst two of the scene originators Andy Farley and Ian M will also be playing together on the night! Famous for her energetic sets, Cally Gage will be taking on the original Riot! party bad boy Ed Real whilst Aaron James & Mat G and Nik Spiers & Jennarate complete this epic line up – miss it at your own peril!

**£5 EARLY BIRD TICKETS –ON SALE NOW**
The amazingly priced £5 Early Bird Tickets are now on sale through Ticketweb and the matter London website. Make sure to join the Facebook event page for exclusive announcements, competitions and special mixes to download and we look forward to seeing you on the dancefloor!

**WATCH: RIOT! ‘SUMMER OF HARD DANCE’ VIDEO HERE**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFRoe8IdD4o


**FULL LISTINGS INFO**
Name: Riot! Classics
Date: Friday 15th January
Venue: Matter London
Address: Peninsula Square, London, SE10 ODY
Time: 10pm – 6am
Line Up: (see above)
Cost: £5 Early Bird from ticketweb / matter website. More on the door.
Advance Tickets: http://www.matterlondon.com/
More info: http://www.riotinlondon.com
Tube: North Greenwich
Facebook Group: Riot! Crew
Facebook Event Page: http://bit.ly/riotclassics_facebook
Flyer:
-
Region: London
Music: Hard Trance. House. Hard House. Techno.
DJ's: Lisa Pinup
(THE ORIGINAL TIDY GIRL!)

Anne Savage
(THE QUEEN OF HARD BEATS!)

BK & Pete Wardman
(EXCLUSIVE BACK 2 BACK PARTY SET!)

Scott Attrill & SLIPMATT
(EXCLUSIVE OLD SKOOL SET!)

Andy Farley & Ian M
(THE GODFATHERS OF HARD DANCE!)

Cally Gage & Ed Real

Aaron James & Mat G

NIK SPIERS & JENNARATE

Who's Going? (18) : *Dirty Funker*, ALIMITCH, Andy Force, Biankaxxx, Cally Gage, kevsey.d, Lambs, Lovable_raver, Macey, MarkyMark, Matt, Miles Gorfy, Mizz_behavin, Nik-Spiers, paul jack, sand_1, shameless_1980, totty 

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Other Features By Tom Cypher:
Perfect Stranger Takes a Leap of Faith With His New Album
Marco Scherer's Patchwork 17
Lee Mortimer goes Loopy.
My Digital Enemy
Studio Talk with Organ Donors
The views and opinions expressed in this review are strictly those of the author only for which HarderFaster will not be held responsible or liable.
Comments:

From: ~deleted12163 on 13th Jan 2010 21:24.21
Wardman = Legend Kneel, peons!

From: Andy Force on 13th Jan 2010 21:26.46
Superb to here these two legends reminisce, Pete has some of the funniest stories i've ever heard, funny as fuck and humble with it. Hats off to you both Smile

From: Mizz_behavin on 13th Jan 2010 22:41.59
Waves True legend Not worthy...
I once shamelessly went up to him, cornered him in the corridor at Turnmills and did the old "er, can you play a tune.... ummmm not sure what its called though" and stood there while I tried to think what it was...(2 slags, restless) Laughs out loud Blush
See you on Friday... I feel a few sambuccas might be in order Devilish

From: ~deleted1390 on 14th Jan 2010 13:24.10
Laughs out loud

From: John Nutter on 24th Jan 2010 16:42.09
Great interview(s) Smile

From: Pete M on 11th Feb 2010 16:21.26
Ben looks young in that pic! I swear he's not from this planet. Laughs out loud Great interview. Big grin

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