Electric Independence - Ceephax Acid Crew

There’s no one quite like our mate Andy Jenkinson, aka Ceephax, aka Ceephax Acid Crew. He’s one of the last great D.I.Y masters working in electronic music and he’s a full-on modern day renaissance man, who still uses the same old school tools (remember Amigas? Me neither) to ply his many trades.
Primarily known for what he’s done for the “acid” genre, Ceephax also dips his toes into hip-hop, breakbeat Italo and even some ambient; always with his trusty Roland analog weapons by his side, creating an impressive and expansive output of material. It’s like a big psychedelic feast for your ears.
He got signed at his first-ever live show at the age of 17 and throws some of the most epic and outrageous parties/raves in the UK. We traveled to East London where he gave us a tour of his bedroom studio and shared some of the influences behind his 8-Bit sound, his curious predilection for ancient video games, arcade carpets and novelty knits.
- Jordan Redaelli

[@stripedhyenuh]

"Have some fun. It's fine, don't worry about it." Something that pretty much every creative person needs to be reminded of every once in awhile.

[@erikt4790]

I totally agree. It's all about the love of doing it, Nothing else really matters :D

[@skywatchernorth]

Words to live by.

[@deejaydaniel4154]

Totally

[@Baphomane]

*person

[@sheatheman]

I miss this style of music journalism.

[@grunder37]

17th November 1997 was the date of his first show at the 333. The Railway Raver also played and got signed to Replex Records. Cassette Boy played one of their first ever gigs that night too. A real moment of history.

[@00_v1]

Ceephax wrote, "I was 18 and had only been making tracks a few months! This was at the 333 club in London, a historic night where Railway Raver and Cassetteboy also did their first ever gigs plus brother Squarepusher and other Chelmsfordian mates were on the decks. We were honoured with the presence of the full Rephlex roster, including Grant, Cylob, Aphex Twin: who danced during my set for reportedly the first time ever (everyone was doing the Conga at one point too) and Ed Dmx who instantly signed me to his label "BREAKIN RECORDS" and thus the Ceephax story was begun!! I drunk lots of Stella and talked rubbish on the mic and everything ended up totally distorted which still happens nearly 20 years later. Needless to say it was a legendary night for all that came. Cheers!" imagine Aphex in the Congo, mustve been insane

[@babblingalong7689]

@@00_v1 Making Aphex dance for the first time. That's enough to become a legend oneself.

[@blakecasimir]

One of the most inspired and creative talents in electronic music today. No one sounds like him, and he sounds like no one else. I had the pleasure of meeting Andy briefly after attending one of his gigs. Really down to earth and genuinely nice guy. Big inspiration! Thank you for posting this video.

[@toffee20]

Andy's sense of humour really colours his music. Love his work. His brother is much more serious but equally just as good.

[@Bachan2]

+toffee20 IMHO Andy is better. Squarepusher has some ok tunes but that's it.

[@noumenon3020]

I love their tunes and personalities pretty much equally. Always appreciated how they've managed to find their own unique niches and sound in a common scene.

[@jtpinnyc]

are you nuts, Squarepusher has done some INSANE music and is a world class bass player.

[@hectorsland]

Im sure they would both rather not be compared to eachother, their music is completely different

[@Zeal808]

Oh The Jenkins family

[@juliankeller5030]

Of course this guy is related to Squarepusher....

[@awesomekid8922]

Is squarepusher the older brother?

[@WilliamMoser]

@@awesomekid8922 yep!

[@andersingram]

got to love the room filled with what is now tens of thousands of quid worth of equipment with a mattress on the floor in the corner ....

[@ludwigkopp8130]

I cannot believe this guy is not more famous. a humble music genius writing history.

[@XoArK]

Well, his brother is Squarepusher...

[@B1SCOOP]

Apparentely his raw, amateurish mixing style is too much for current industry 'standards' (overcompression, heavy reeverbs, obsession over crispiness with highpass filters). Unfortunately not many labels, even underground ones aim at solid composition (maybe except indie game developer).

[@BobbyMBoMor-z6s]

Talentless TikTok laptop producers get all the attention. We live in a very superficial world these days.

[@crazychainsawkid1]

8:24 - For some reason as soon as he said this I pictured his brother.

[@pyrox2518]

Dunno why people think he's like that tho. i heard him say in an interview that some times just just goes with what ever sound. and is more about composition and harmony.

[@joebrewer4529]

It has to be flattering for Tom to have his brother following his footsteps.

[@HAZARDOUS88]

His Cro Magnox album is incredible.

[@applesauce9982]

its one of my favorites of his. I love giving it a listen from start to finish every now and then.

[@HAZARDOUS88]

@@applesauce9982 Absolutely!

[@gx2music]

“Have some fun. It’s fine. Don’t get too stressed”. God do we need more guys like him.

[@defconkev]

this brother is a true genius and talent in composition, love the Capsule in Space one especially... thank you for uploading this interview!

[@AmourSynthetique]

4:07 - love that picture. Tom in the background as hypeman for one of his brother's most important gigs. An amazing sight.

[@Zeal808]

Dafydd Sinden 😂😂😂👏

[@AmourSynthetique]

@Tommy Bee imagine thinking Tom Jenkinson is talentless...

[@djfred1993]

What a great studio !

[@sinicalypse]

wait ceephax talks? i thought he was like a perfect nightmare hacking reality or something

[@monstera677]

I love his approach to his music.

[@Satwamassive]

I had the 303rd like!

[@sawtoothiandi]

bingo!

[@QUIZFILTER]

I would love to see him talk about his brother & vice-versa or to actually see them together in the same interview.

[@rarelycomments]

Or just a Squarepusher/Ceephax collab Pure beltonium

[@Hyntsi]

This is something I cannot describe. I really love it.

[@f_ogs]

3:21 I've been looking for that jacket for YEARS and I've had no luck whatsoever, hopefully it's not one of a kind :(

[@skriptico]

green on reflecting yellow bomber... totally dope.

[@hereisacomment4u]

“Arghh… this note is so important errrrr..”

[@curbcobain]

we need more guys like him.

[@PP-bs3od]

I thought I was the only one to describe the 303 as liquid sounding when the resonance is turned up...

[@taotechnique]

Andy is a musical genius. My god he is one heck of a talented guy. Super cool too.

[@ObsoOrder]

the lost twin of the aphex

[@B1SCOOP]

I wonder if they meet each other at some point, his brother Tom did some collaboration with RDJ before.

[@jesuscm1398]

@@B1SCOOP Actually in an Interview Richard said that he is a Ceephax fan

[@space1oddity]

love this guy

[@brerkris]

Awesome! I'm so jealous of his gear. He's exactly right about having fun with music. So many artists are serious, about their image... it's music, have fun with it.

[@JFTC709]

Coolest guy in the world

[@Alexander_Kulebyakin]

5:10 After all, this is the dude who starred in the commuter video

[@exulansis3235]

andy you're a legend and an inspiration. love your music videos. great interview.

[@Emiel1983Schoonoord]

Brilliant!

[@boswollox4636]

Awesome

[@DarrenJHorgan]

very good insight into his music making!

[@danielrazulay]

Whenever Big glass of Beer near Gear old Danny feels Fear!

[@sunilsolanki]

Thanks for this. Totally inspired by his live sets. Seems like a very cool bloke who happens to make some incredible music too.

[@Painfulltowatch]

03:10 Track is Godzilla. :)

[@mauroromero2508]

dammn thank you!!!

[@Painfulltowatch]

You are welcome :)

[@mortenrobinson]

what's the track at 7:03?

[@Painfulltowatch]

@@mortenrobinson it is called Emotinium II ☺️✌️

[@mortenrobinson]

@@Painfulltowatch thanks :-)

[@hivemind7924]

what an inspiration

[@zaikoji]

Needs more views and hat doffs! Keep it up sir!!!!

[@giovannidibella287]

is that squarepusher in the back at 4:10??

[@GnarlyYouth]

Yeah

[@phong208]

I've come to really respect Andy's music. Truly one of a kind

[@kommissar.murphy]

5:35 the ability to 'project' is such an underrated part of performance.

[@shaypah6924]

Not that I want to be a hater, we need more legit music like you in 2019.

[@connykomen4237]

I once saw cheephax in Antwerp, de location had tree houses, and i think he wear a wookie or monkey suit! One of the best epic party's i remember!! all starts alligned that evening. Nice location, good vibes, funny costumes!

[@mistaben2k]

I grew up with Amiga's but I had the cheaper Commodore 64 which was just simplicity and beauty.

[@fruitflakz]

Coolest brothers to ever exist on the face of the earth

[@martincattell6820]

Seems like a nice guy. EDIT: I can't help but smile at that music video at the end.

[@Chris_yes]

i know what hes saying. its my youth too. i love him and aphex.

[@GuyRification]

He should work with Jeff Minter. I think he likes those jumpers too.

[@saturn1returns]

He’s a fucking lovely person - seen him live in Glasgow a few times.

[@gollubs5834]

Looks like Brad Oberhoffer interviewing Kevin Parker lol

[@ivangallego4372]

anyone knows the set he is talking about? Around 1:10 or so? Was it even recorded?

[@Eliel20117]

Lol I didn't know squarepusher had a brother

[@thb-music]

Holding an Amiga 1200 like nothing..... baller.

[@DaveMcGarry]

That's an Amiga 600? 1:23

[@YoungNino2017]

What is that song at 4:15 ... that is a crazy 303 pattern

[@carlcarter8295]

Underrated Analog Acid Genius! Luv this stuff. turned me onto acid

[@xJoe90]

What a sound dude. Bet he's a right laugh to trip with

[@norepetitivebeats]

Fucking loved that!

[@mothhh2114]

What’s the song at 5:32 need it

[@martinarnold5239]

how does he do this live? is it all sequenced?

[@percona2393]

what's the name of the track in the end?

[@ricjenner1120]

All of these Electric Independence episodes were hugely influential for me as a producer - if anyone has all the episodes , please post them ! Some are still available , but episodes about “Emeralds”, “Black Meteoric Star”, and “Peaking Lights” don’t seem to be available anywhere .

[@tomahzo]

I get the feeling that Andy's the more relaxed one between him and his brother ;D. I do appreciate Tom's music greatly, though, ever since I first heard it in the mid 90:ies. His sometimes serious attitude pays great dividends, though - the results speak for themselves. Both brothers have a lovely way to go about music and creativity.

[@gilgamessianic]

Machinedrum 🙌

[@macros303]

Excellent piece thanks for sharing

[@Xhaosz]

What's the song for the credits? Cheers for this interview Electric Independence!

[@peatrude4872]

Sthoma Bijenman It’s called Topaz

[@romulus_]

ceephax + legowelt + siriusmo = ???

[@jmm8476]

Can I be a fan for a minute? I saw yr comments on o&a with the aphex logo and thought it was odd. Then I saw yr ceephax acid and Dmx krew videos. Just wanted to say that we may have the odd/same fucked up taste. Gay out. Peace. PS. I'm from Houston. I saw the aphex show last last year and bought the limited vinyl. It was amazing as it sounded. Peace again.

[@spurv]

Why no Oscar love?

[@derrylallen]

something about the day in the life of producers and musicians always relaxes me ,especially when theyre not pompous and egotistical jerks but everyday people blessed with a unique talent that brings all ethnicity together

[@Fred_pimpstone-II]

Amazing, but of course hes squarepushers little brother!!!!!! Im amazed i dont see them do more stuff together.

[@bitcoinempire2069]

I remember his acid karaoke set at Butlins. Best karaoke experience in the world.

[@7VSF-SR72-OA-X33]

ATP?

[@telequacker-9529]

This dude is so unironically chill and aesthetic. Too legit to quit. the fuckin' acid MAESTRO. Wak!

[@foundatlantis]

such a humble guy, totally correct, have fun with music, it doesnt have to be perfect - very inspirational :)

[@SuzanneKowalski]

6:56

[@C20XEMini]

Ha! I had on of those Roland jackets in blue, tried to find some the other week.

[@senismarsenis9678]

Thanks for interviewing this corrosive sweatshirt legend :^]

[@rachelar]

🤓 It is quite retro sounding tho. What when all that gear breaks down ?

[@MrBoxingVideos]

What a lovely guy

[@axolotl84]

love u mate

[@decimal1815]

Here's the Ceefax that he mentions: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ceefax

[@gavmac1025]

what a legend

[@porterfied4854]

Song? 5:32

[@LAF_23]

6:50 he removed the tune knob! This man is a genius. Will do that to mine too

[@LaPistachios]

Help me people ! What’s the sound at 4:40 and at 5:00 . I’ve been searching for so long

[@manfromdelmonty303]

Feel like everyone’s first synth was a 101 😂

[@Szujhinzu]

What's the track at 1:13, can you help me guys?

[@Gigizhvania]

love this guy

[@lightoftheworld3333]

I love it so much ♡ you bring fun into my life ☆

[@doranstewartstewart6521]

Miss this show welcome back bitch

[@Lyonsytron]

CEEPHAX AND CO ALWAYS WINS X

[@user-vg5rv5xf4u]

0:18 🙌

[@r0-man]

Could someone tell me what track is at 4:13?

[@XanltheCSG]

I forget the name I think it's on the Ceephax Rephlex collection. There's two volumes on his bandcamp ceephax.bandcamp.com

[@danielgaylor]

@@XanltheCSG no its not, listened to both volumes

[@RicardoOlivares-k4w]

Track listing for entire video would be much appreciated

[@MrBujum]

And you are very welcome to do it ) Thing is I uploaded this video on youtube a long time ago - just because I had it on my PC and I could not find it online. I'd be happy to edit description if someone could provide some info on the subject.

[@blonieamw2998]

so good hahahaha some real truth he is talking folks

[@gianz73]

FunfunFUN, like when I played with Lego and C64 / Amiga DECADES ago. Keep the attitude!

[@gianz73]

And greetings from the Mediterranean Acid pond!

[@ПавелПлатонов-в5й]

6.25??

[@mondoprime]

his live shows are the best

[@ComandoBurrito]

XEDRA brought me here

[@pr1z3m4n]

whats the song at 3 minutes ?