D.A.V.E. The Drummer: 'I Don't Want Acid Techno To Be The Next Big Thing'

Acid techno's leading producer Henry 'D.A.V.E. The Drummer' Cullen spoke to mezzmusic this week and dismissed suggestions that acid techno could become the new hard house in 2001. "I really don't want acid techno to become that big or techno either, it'll just water it down,and you'll get all the copycats," Henry said. "But I don't think we're in any danger, really. 2001 will be the year that disco samples dry up. There will be no more original ones left and cheesy disco house will disappear forever. Hooray!"


Henry remains one of acid techno's most influential and prolific producers, sound engineering many of the genre's definitive tracks for the likes of the Liberators, Lawrie Immerson, DJ Gizelle and Guy McAffer. And with his New Year's Eve bookings being blown out- 'as usual', Henry will be DJing at a free London squat party on December 31st. For Christmas he'll be celebrating in Holland with his girlfriend, though revealed he's rarely enthusiastic about the day itself. "The family thing can be a pain and also the feeling that if you don't celebrate then your missing out," he said. "But I think the time I spent it on my own ranks as the worst.".


On New Year's Eve 1984, though, when just 15 years old, Henry almost died after being stabbed on the streets of South London. Spotting a mugger attacking a girl, he gave chase, only to be struck down as he caught up with the robber. "I remember as I got close, this other older geezer shouting out, 'Watch out, he's got a knife' then the guy turned around and shouted 'Have some of that', and stuck his knife in me. I thought I'd been punched at first until the blood started running down my legs." Henry was rushed to hospital where he later underwent emergency surgery which saved his life.16 years on his stomach is dissected by a 12inch (30cm) surgical scar plus a faint, almost invisible, knife scar, "right in line with my belly button." So, does he have a New Year's Message for 2001- "Yeah but it's cheesy so I'll make do with saying, 'have a good 2001. Don't let the buggers grind you down."

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