To celebrate the release of Hardcore Nation 2009 on 29th December mixed by Stu Allan, Joey Riot & featuring a Bonus Bootleg Mix (EMI / Virgin) we catch up with the boys outside a rave in the early hours to get their thoughts on the album, the scene, gigs, tunes, underpants & more!

Both Stu Allan and Joey Riot are scene leaders and have built a fearsome reputation over the years as the DJs to turn to when a dancefloor needs rockin’! These DJs live and breathe hardcore and have been in the studio working on masses of brand new material and pride themselves on finding great tracks from under-represented talents as well as from scene leaders before banging them out in the clubs week in week out to ensure that their sets sound fresh and give a real feeling of the energy in the raves in this huge, vibrant, fun and innovative scene. Some DJs just mix, but these boys do everything… promote events, produce, remix, run record labels, have radio shows and much more!

How did you get into hardcore and was it your first love?
JR: I got into hardcore from its inception. I was listening to a lot of the early rave stuff on tapes passed on from my older friends who were going out to parties in the early 90s.
SA: I was lucky enough to be there at the beginning – when exactly that was, no one’s really sure – haha!
House music started getting harder in its style towards the end of the 80s (some of it anyway) with new sounds and ideas. I think the term ‘Hardcore’ probably started in 1990 so we’ll say it started then! I loved the way all these ideas and styles were happening in the music – these new synth sounds from mainly Belgian releases, breakbeats, vocal samples, jungle – all kinds really! Exciting times for all involved!

What was your first job?
JR: My first job was as a printer. I used that job to print flyers and tickets for events I used to put on as a kid back home in Scotland.
SA: My first proper job was when I was 16 – a full-time barman at a hotel in Anglesey, North Wales. Only the hotel owner knew my real age. Then I went into engineering as a steady job (!!) while I was doing gigs with my band and trying my hand at DJing at weekends. Started DJing professionally back in ’82.

Other than DJing what are you involved in?
JR: I co own Lethal Theory Records with DJ Kurt, we also do the Lethal theory Live show along with MC enemy. In that I do a bit of MCing and singing. I’m also the deputy editor of Core magazine and I write and produce my own tracks, anything from hard trance right through the spectrum to Gabber.
SA: I write, produce & remix – various genres/styles. And rent out property in Manchester, North Wales & Ibiza (!)

Who are the hottest talents in the scene for you at the moment?
JR: There are a lot of young guys who are nearly there in terms of production i think in the next year or two we’ll be seeing a host of new names making it in hardcore. Guys that stand out for me at the moment are Orbit1 and Chaos.
SA: Joey & Kurt are very consistant – I’m made up Joey’s doing a CD for the album! Can’t wait to hear his mix! There are lots of obvious ones who always come up with the goods but I have to give praise to Darwin. I’ve kept my eye on him from his early days and it’s great witnessing someone improving so much over those few years. He’s now more than ready to be the next hardcore household name! It was an absolute pleasure working with him in the studio and I hope that shows in our tracks featured in my mix.

How is Hardcore Nation different from other albums and how did you get involved with it?
JR: This album has a got the balance right with the DJs I think. Stu is a legend who has got so many people into hardcore and has a great ear for good music and spotting anthems. I’m a relative newcomer to Hardcore in terms of breaking through and I think I bring fresh ideas to the table along with my passion and drive for releasing quality music.
SA: What I’ve always liked about the Hardcore Nation series is always featuring quality tunes from up-and-coming artistes & producers alongside the big names. They hardly get a look in on some other albums!

How did you decide on the tracks for Hardcore Nation 2009?
JR: This has been extremely difficult. I’ve had over 300 track submissions and tons of them are great. I wanted to get a mix of big names, up and coming guys plus showcase the best new lethal theory material so it’s a difficult process but one I’ve thoroughly enjoyed!
SA: It’s the hardest part of being involved! You get sent a couple of hundred tracks from the world & his dog and as I’m going through them, I’m thinking “ooh, yeah, I like that one, oh, and this is wicked too and, wow, love this” and end up with a huge list of great tunes and then I’m told I can only use a maximum of 19! Then the harder work starts – choosing 19 tracks and leaving out loads & loads of brilliant others! Aarrgh! I always end up feeling bad if their tune hasn’t been chosen and always feel guilty about it knowing that something really good didn’t quite make it. I just try very hard to make the mix musically varied & interesting throughout and that you’ll want to listen to it lots of times!

What are your best & worst ever gigs?
JR: That’s a really difficult one to answer… hmmm. Best gig recently for me was Candyball in New York. The atmosphere that night totally blew me away. HTID 28 @ the custard factory was another special one recently as are most of the big HTID and Slammin Vinyl events. The worst… well… haha, I’ve played a few stinkers in my time let me tell you. One time in Scotland just after the smoking ban came in I had 2 guys on the dance floor and 200 people stood outside smoking. I could see them all behind me through the glass out in the courtyard. One was not amused! Hahaha!
SA: The best ones were always the big ones, and not so big ones, from the early days (‘90 – ’93). The crowds weren’t so fussy, you’d hear more than one style in one night in one main room and the music was constantly evolving and improving. I think the worst ones are when you turn up and the equipment and the DJ set-up was crap – like no monitor, bouncing/swaying turntables, sound system too quiet etc etc. The crowd has paid to have a good night and couldn’t care less how rubbish the equipement is so you still have to try & deliver.

What is the stupidest record you’ve ever been asked to play?
JR: I was asked if had any Britany Spears once!
SA: God, I could write a book! (Maybe I should?! Everyone else is!) The typical thing you sometimes get is someone asking for the most irrelevent tune to what’s going on in my set! Like one night I was playing a kind of early ’90s old skool breakbeat set. Top Buzz were on before me and the Rat Pack were on after me so you get the musical theme here. Halfway through my set, this guy came up and asked when I was gonna play some gabba and started reeling off all these gabba artistes names that he wanted to hear. FFS!!!

Where do you find the best clubbers?
JR: Go to any hardcore event.
SA: Where they smile (but not all the time – that’s just wierd!).

Fittest birds are to be found in………?
JR: The budgie olympics.
SA: Dunno – The Galapagos Islands?

The famous Nukleuz slogan is “the DJ is only as good as the record”. Is the DJ only as good as the record?
JR: Yes and no, you gotta be able to drop the right record at the right time, not as easy as some might think.
SA: Well, if the DJ is playing a shit record, he/she’ll struggle. But the DJ can be playing an amazing record and still struggle – if the crowd’s not right. A proper DJ chooses the right tune at the right time for the right crowd. Sounds simple but but it’s a skill many should learn.

Underpants… white, blue or Union Jack?
JR: Studded thong for me.
SA: Hmmm…I like a good fitting slip for comfort and to save the embarrasment of adjusting oneself in front of a few hundred wide-eyed ravers!

What have been your biggest ever records?
JR: “Hardcore to the bone” on Quosh and “Your Smile” on lethal theory probably
SA: My most successful ones over the years have been “Let Me See Ya Move”, “Fly Away” & “A Feeling” – Got an Al Storm remix of ‘Fly Away’ & a Darwin remix of ‘A Feeling’ on my CD – blindin’!

Any advice for DJs & Producers wanting to make it big?
JR: This is a question that is asked a lot when I’m out and about gigging. Perseverance is paramount (as long as you have talent!) my dad used to always tell me “cream always rises to the top, just be patient son” nothing comes easily in life, you’ve got to work hard. Another piece of advice is to be nice and keep your feet on the ground. Being humble and courteous goes along way.
SA: Be prepared to really work hard. Be prepared to deal with lots of knock-backs but don’t let them put you off. Stick at it – don’t expect anything to happen overnight.

What is the best thing you have ever done?
JR: When my 1st ever vinyl release dropped onto my doormat that was a great day for me. Cried like a big girl for ages! Hahaha!
SA: Saying “Yes” to the offer of a radio show on Piccadilly Radio (now Key 103) back in 1986. I stayed there for 14 years and got me known all over.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
JR: In the future most probably! Seriously though I hope to be still doing what I love and bringing my music to new and bigger audiences around the world.
SA: No idea! Whatever I’ll be doing, it will be in music. It’s all I know!

Who are your idols?
JR: I wouldn’t say I have any to be honest. Except the beard of Zeus!
SA: I don’t have any (my dad was the closest to one) but I do look up to many people and give them the respect they deserve. From people I work with through to an old war hero codger wearing his poppy.

What is it like backstage?
JR: If it’s with the lethal theory boys then it always involves copious amounts of vodka!
SA: I just like having a good laugh. If Joey’s around then we always end up just wetting ourselves laughing at each other’s crap jokes or just being demented!