SWAG's Dex 'n' Gadget Tour
Author: Sara Giampa
Tuesday, November 11, 2003
Whilst Chris' DJ sets are talked about worldwide, the Dex 'n' Gadgets show adds Richards live loops, affects and beats, taking things to another dimension. Don't miss this one!!
Chris began his addiction to music with early Hip Hop and Electro, and was later inspired by the Sheffield illegal party scene of the late eighties, and the eclectic, soulful sets of the Forgemasters. Chris has been playing music as a DJ since 1989, keen to play the music he heard outside his home town, alongside the by now famous 'Sheffield sound'.
His first residency was at the Limit club in Sheffield, the night went from 150 to 1200 people in three weeks, and became something of a legendary event. After a career in English was derailed once and for all by Acid House, further guest DJ slots, support DJ tours with the Warp and Phono labels, residencies and eventually, the recording studio followed.
In 1991 Chris began releasing his own music (along with former DJ buddy Richard benson), first on the Warp affiliated Nucleus label and later on the Warp label itself. Richard Brown was, at the same time working with DJ Nick Simpson, together they released a white label called "Can't Take It" under the name Rhythm Invention. The track became an instant club anthem and was promptly signed to Warp Records after Chris (then working in the Warp record shop) brought it to their attention. This was followed by two more releases, and the well received "Inventures in wonderland" album. Richard's musical history goes back further however, with a considerable contribution to the Wakefield punk scene along with the likes of Back 2 Basics founder Dave Beer and DJ James Holroyd. Working both on and off stage, Richard developed his by now famous 'ear', and honed his skill as an engineer, which has been put to expert use ever since for artists such as Nightmares on wax, Bjork, Autechre, Rabbit in the Moon and Beaumont Hannant, with whom Richard later teamed up to form Outcast, who released the superb "Rollercoaster" single and an album "Out of tune" on One little Indian.
With the Warp label often calling on Richard's considerable studio expertise, it seemed inevitable that Chris's RAC project would be engineered and co-produced by Richard, this was the start of a long and extraordinary production relationship, which has seen them introduce their acclaimed SWAG sound to the world. Their first four releases for Junior Boys Own and their Jus' Trax subsidiary achieved huge club success. After the Warp shop closed in late 96, Chris found he could devote all his time to running his new 'Primitive' label and step up the DJ and recording schedule. Releases from himself together with Richard Brown, and local talent got the label firmly established. Later down the line the 'Odori' label was started to release music from talented new producers who chose to twist the House rule book.
SWAG released their debut long player 'Felony Funk' in 98, on their newly established 'Version Music' imprint, the acclaimed album opened up new opportunities for the dynamic duo to spread the ever versatile SWAG vibe far and wide. Their Live/DJ set has rocked clubs from Tokyo to Madrid, not forgetting legendary UK events like Fabric, Back 2 Basics and the Sub Club, this and the modest chalking up of over 30 releases together as well as an evergrowing list of remixes for artists like Bjork, Ian Pooley, Herbert and Blaze.
Richard's tiny amount of spare time is devoted to his solo project; Cherry Bomb. Having released a series of celebrated EP's on Belgium's Music Man label, Richard has also been touring with the Cherry Bomb Live Set, a recent recording of which has been released on CD and limited edition vinyl. The debut Cherry Bomb LP is in the final stages of production right now.
Chris continues to hold down residencies at SCUBA in Sheffield, The Room in Madrid and Monza in Frankfurt, as well as travelling the world eve Tags