Hardcore History - Hixxy & Sharkey: I know the reason BONKERS was such a HUGE success!

Did you miss me?
This month, I took a look into the careers of 2 of the biggest names in Happy Hardcore.
Hixxy & Sharkey brought us new artists, evolving sounds and of course the Bonkers albums.
Guest DJ Mix by Jilted Hybrid 🡒🡒 bit.ly/3WVHxoE
We Want Bonkers Back on Facebook 🡒🡒 / 1473566236306607
ROAR The Rave Podcast 🡒🡒 / @roarukpods
Everything else is here 🡒🡒 linktr.ee/stuartkmusic

[@Nat_Blasphemous]

As someone from the U.S. who discovered the Bonkers albums all at once (probably like around 2009ish?, 17 was out) with no real context and enjoyed them in isolation as music compilations, I always loved how much they were a journey through all kinds of artists. I can really feel the genuine love in them and it's probably why a lot of the music on them has withstood the test of time for me, it's so varied but still somewhat all nostalgic. Cheers on another video. Really cool to learn about all these artists and how dedicated they all were in their own ways.

[@stuartkmusic]

Thanks Nat. I count myself quite lucky that all this happened on my doorstep. 👍

[@Metisp]

From the States as well. I had the Happy2bHardcore's. Then I found out about Bonkers in 2002 or 2003, and had Volume 3 imported by HMV. These were hard to obtain in the early 2000s cause the internet world just wasn't what it is now back then.

[@Nat_Blasphemous]

@Metisp Yeah for sure. Pretty crazy how much is just on KZbin now from all kinds of genres that you'd never think would see the light of day again. Sets too and stuff.

[@AngryBulldogg]

​@@Nat_Blasphemous 😊

[@moynanplayz5379]

My Dad was a doorman at Sterns (actually mansion house at this time) from 1996 and I believe it was hardcore heaven club tour in 1997 and one of the promoters gave my Dad a hardcore heaven vol 3 cd and a tazzmania Christmas extravaganza tape pack and I was 14 at the time and within minutes I was hooked. Obviously I was too young to go to events. But in recent years I went to fusion rhythm station reunion and put on my own night and the event was called total madness and DJ vibes and MC livelee headlined and without a doubt was the best night of my life and my biggest achievement as I had no help and never done anything like it before and I put a whole night on by myself anybody who is a fan of the scene I would encourage to do it.

[@Howdonnn]

Bonkers vol 1 was the cd that started it all for me, i grew up on these albums, literally watching freeform grow from bonkers vol 3 when it was still called trancecore, all the way up to the last one where it was a full on movement and had some amazing peoducers from all over the world like arkitech, ams, serl, proteus and lost soul etc.....if it wasnt for bonkers i would never have heard so many different artists and tunes. Bringing scott brown into the mix aswell was a brilliant move, his cds are awesome! i never get sick of them. Amazing!

[@stuartkmusic]

I’m so glad that we looked at Sharkey this month. I’ve always been a freeform head and seeing so many fellow freeform heads popping by is fantastic.

[@turbo_tigerlive]

We owe these dj's a debt of gratitude for the awesome tunes they've made ❤

[@saturn1returns]

Hardcore Nerds the lot of us! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🦊🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@stuartkmusic]

Welcome to the nerdy side of Hardcore 👍

[@zxMRxNINJAxz]

Absolutely love Bonkers. I'm more into normal Hardcore/Gabber now and have been since I was about 12 or 13, but Bonkers will always have a special place in my heart. My mam and dad met at a rave and from what I was told against my will, I was conceived at a rave 😂 so hardcore is literally the reason I exist 🎉🎉 So I grew up listening to my dad and mams old tapes, colosseum, helter skelter, fubar, the venue, hangar 13 etc. And fell in love with the music and I remember listening to Bonkers vol. 2 on the way to school every morning and I even took my mam to the rezerection in Newcastle 2 or 3 years ago at 62 years old hahaha even gave her an e and she was off dancing all night. Unfortunately my dad couldn't come because of his health and I lost him last year, he was 55 and everytime I listen to Bonkers or any hardcore I'm flooded with memories of him, especially if Diss Reaction - jiiieehaaaa comes on as that was his favourite song and according to my mam when it would come on, some people would stop dancing at the raves to watch him dance as he would go mental, wish I could have seen him in his element ❤❤❤

[@stuartkmusic]

I absolutely love this tribute! Sorry to hear about your Dad but at least you can still enjoy those memories with your Mum.

[@Finn10000]

Amazing documentary, this will go down in the history books. Thank you!!

[@stuartkmusic]

Thanks @T I’m glad you enjoyed it.

[@thisisbonkers]

Been a Bonkers fan since the first, I really hope we get it back at some point in the future. Also Thank you for Including my post about the Bonkers 1 poster 😅 my prized possession 😊

[@butanium3012]

Loving your content. IT is so hard to get information about uk Rave music History. Please keep going. Love from Germany ❤️

[@stuartkmusic]

Thanks @Butan ium. Plenty more to come 👍

[@j_d4303]

Sharkey was always a great mc in the Technodrome at Helter Skelter. His dj set at Lost In Music was one of the best of that night! His brainstorm cd he did with Mark EG still sounds fresh as a daisy today! I have no idea how anyone can dislike the guy! He would always take time to talk to people at raves and really hyped the crowd up! If you have ever spent time in the technodrome back in the day, you will know what i mean! Legend of the rave scene for sure!

[@stuartkmusic]

I feel exactly what you are saying @J_D. I never understood that whole thing when I read the 14 pages of it 😂 Sharkey is still very much one of my favourites and after speaking to him recently, I can confirm that he is a legend indeed.

[@NikooBoi]

Sharkey is a legend

[@gav1233]

I'm from the US and was introduced to happy hardcore in 2014/2015. I first got into the German happy hardcore scene, then the Dutch scene, and the British after that. Bonkers is what introduced me to the British hardcore scene. The Dutch scene is my favorite out of the three, but I love listening to the Bonkers compilations, especially the second one.

[@stuartkmusic]

@Gav123 The Dutch and German scenes are fantastic and something I need to look at doing some videos on soon.

[@gav1233]

@@stuartkmusic A video about them sounds great. I’d recommend including the artists Paul Elstak, Dune, Blümchen, and 2 Brothers on the 4th Floor.

[@ukreallifeL8]

Great channel this keep these coming love the history of our scene especially the 90s stories 💯

[@stuartkmusic]

Thank you @UK Real Life. Appreciate the feedback 👍

[@markphillips8065]

Great video. Amazing content 👏 Thanks for the Hard Times mention 🤘

[@stuartkmusic]

You are welcome Mark. It would soon get boring if we mentioned the same events each time 😉

[@MrRailjunkie]

Cool video series. As somebody that's been into the Happy vibe since the summer of 97' a big thumbs up & a new sub from me.

[@stuartkmusic]

Thanks @Steelinversion83 glad to have you here 👍

[@andrewwild2202]

Loving the channel and I'm spreading the word ! Let's have a dig into MZONE and the UPRISING history as soon as !

[@stuartkmusic]

Great shout @Andrew Wild. I’ve added to the list 👍

[@WEBB-TECH]

The Sharkey mixes on Bonkers are legendary. They are some of the best on the series....

[@stuartkmusic]

Mine too Paul. 👍

[@WEBB-TECH]

Bonkers 3 especially. Best mix in the trio

[@anatolipolyakov753]

this hardcore history is something i wish i would have found YEARS ago! Keep up the epic storytelling mate. Much love from USA

[@Markybhoy7]

Love it mate, nice watch and some good information on it all. Grew up listening to bonkers and loved my happy hardcore, force and styles were always my favourite ❤

[@stuartkmusic]

Thanks @Markybhoy7. Glad you enjoyed it 👍

[@djspacey2509]

This channel is FUCKING AMAZING! Thanks for ALL the history! Happy hardcore has been part of my life from 15 years old!!! x

[@stuartkmusic]

Thanks @DJ SPACEY and I’m glad you found us 👍

[@ryanwalker5723]

I dig. Glad that there is a layer of mentorship there.

[@section23]

Loved this, nice one for putting it together!

[@stuartkmusic]

Thank you for watching it 👍

[@djkyzr7660]

Please keep bringing us these videos

[@stuartkmusic]

You got it @DJ KYZR. Plenty more videos on their way 👍

[@n9e9o9]

Thank you so much for the great content. Bonkers volume 5 sharkey’s CD gripped my attention for nearly 20 years, I’ll never forget the music!!!

[@jamesphlames7498]

Damn, everywhere i went as a teen back in mid 90's i would hear the Bonkers albums playing. Even though it was incredibly cheesy music everyone loved it because it was funny and uplifting!

[@stuartkmusic]

@James Phlames I was one of the addicted back then myself.

[@jayviperdj]

Absolutely loving your content mate. Im a huge fan of Sharkey and have spoken to Jon many times in the past 12 months and he is an absolutely diamond fella. Such a helpful and passionate individual. He really is one of a kind as an artist and as a human being. Keep up the good work you are smashing it mate.

[@stuartkmusic]

Cheers Jay. Have to admit I’ve always been a huge fan of Sharkey myself and tried hard not to fanboy all over the video 😂

[@jayviperdj]

@Stuart-K Music I've been told off multiple times for calling Jon "Sharkey" and like yourself it's difficult to not get all giddy when I speak to him still ha ha

[@davierae1690]

My era ❤ Going to a bonkers reunion tomorrow. Relive the days gone by. Looking forward to sharkeys set! 🥳 Thanks for the memories lads

[@stuartkmusic]

Have a great time at the reunion and if you speak to Sharkey, say hi from me 😉

[@bonkers1212]

Bonkers 3 was my intro to the albums , I grew up with TTF, QFX, Q TEX etc... but when i heard all the classics and new bangers, I fell in love. I'm 45 now and still poke the flies to all the old anthems, I still play it as loud as my car speakers can handle 🤣 and now my kids love it, from 3 years old to 16, when dads got the tunes on everybody's in for a good time 😎👍

[@stuartkmusic]

@bonkers 1 I’m pretty much the same in the car. Got some strange looks sometimes but it makes me happy 👍

[@dickbanger8924]

I miss the 90s so much good music and a great underground dance scene. bedroom producers armed with roland 909 samples a copy of cubase atari ST a clavia nord lead /access virus /and roland jp8000 created so many good tracks, it all seems to be mainstream music now all millionaire djs and only festivals.

[@stuartkmusic]

I loved my Atari and Cubase. Was lucky as they had it at my secondary school. You are right, a real time for innovation and creativity

[@rorz999]

I have fond memories of the first few Bonkers comps, and whatever anyone thinks of the direction that happy hardcore went during that era, I don't think anyone can deny Hixxy and Sharkey's work ethic and how much they championed the scene

[@oldskoolraveruk]

Massive big up on these videos m8 btw. Keep em coming! Htid

[@stuartkmusic]

Thanks mate. Appreciate the feedback 👍

[@cosmicbutterfly3422]

Love your videos! Defo planning on keeping up with them religiously. Would love to see stuff on Kevin Energy, A.B etc :D Long live Freeform!

[@stuartkmusic]

@CosmicButterfly34 you definitely want to stick around if you love Freeform. I’m a freeform head myself and have something that you might just enjoy coming in the near future 👍

[@cosmicbutterfly3422]

@@stuartkmusic Ooooo looking forward to this :D. Cheers man.. Like your trax, too btw. 🥳🥳🥳

[@REIAMusic]

I got into hardcore around 2011/2012 and was obsessed with the style of the time, never really appreciated old school happy hardcore. Im getting into it now and learning the history and I never realized how mainstream it was. It blows my mind cause the hardcore scene I know has always been the underdog. Especially in the US where Im from. Also Im so far behind I still havent even listened to bonkers yet... Just got through Happy2bHardcore. Clubland X-treme Hardcore 7 was my the time I got into the scene and I was OBSESSED with it! Im sad they dont make it anymore.

[@stuartkmusic]

Over here in the 90s the scene just exploded and was literally everywhere. By the time we got to the Clubland stuff it was like the 2nd coming 😂

[@readytogame83]

Love this video xx

[@stuartkmusic]

Glad you enjoyed the video. 👍

[@bonkersrave]

Great piece Stu.. p.s. Bonkers is back 😮❤

[@stuartkmusic]

So I see. Great first release for Joey and Marc 👌

[@adriaantje113]

Very cool, nice to get a deeper look into the inception of the UK gabber scene.

[@OreoVix]

As someone who Listens to Dancemania Speed religiously, looking into Bonkers is like looking at what's on the other side of the fence

[@stuartkmusic]

Nice analogy. How’s the grass over that side?

[@theTeleforce]

I discovered happy hardcore when I, by pure chance, heard Techno Wonderland (from Bonkers 6) online once as a teenager, and I was impressed enough with it to go looking for more music of its kind. By complete coincidence, Bonkers 17 had either just been released or was about to be released, and I quickly went through listening to a lot of hardcore records, including all of the Bonkers albums. The series, and happy hardcore as a whole, are a little nostalgic and remind me a lot of those times, even if the fanbase for hardcore techno in central Mexico appeared to consist of, as far as I could tell, me. (Trance music was very big, though.) I still enjoy happy hardcore a lot today, even if I grew up pretty far from the scene, so I'm definitely enthused to learn about how it all came to be and what's coming next.

[@stuartkmusic]

Glad to have you along with us @theTeleforce 👍

[@yourconscience507]

This is my story but I was a few years younger. I’m 30 and was 14 when Bonkers 17 was released and electronic music was flat out not a thing over here. Yeah techno, trance, dnb exists and we had small scenes but the wider public was not intro electronic music in North America like it is now after house and trap and dubstep and dnb blew up in the early 2010’s. A friend came over to smoke weed and said she had gone to this festival in Toronto called WEMF and heard happy hardcore so I googled it and my mind was fucking blown. I had no idea stuff that fast an upbeat and jsut crazy existed. I was in YT and Limewire immediatley downloading everything I could. Later that year my grandmother went to the UK and came back with Bonkers 17, Clubland Xtreme Hardcore 4 and HTID and it was on from then. It’a still my most listened to genre and though it’s nowhere near as big as it was then there’s still amazing music being made in Japan and Australia and funnily enough here in North America. Soon after discovering Happy/UK Hardcore I found gabber and harstyle and my life was fully changed at that point.

[@jasonwhittle5008]

Lovely watching 😊

[@stuartkmusic]

Thanks @Jason Whittle

[@Planetugm]

Love this channel! ❤❤

[@stuartkmusic]

Thank you. Love that you found us too 👍

[@Jeff2012WOWyay]

awesome yipiiieee

[@davidmartin8048]

Excellent Stuart I grew up with this stuff in the early 1990,s in Scot and asked my mum to get me the bonkers 3 album for my birthday from Woolworths:-) even to this day it's Still absolutely banging and great fantastic melodic music to me! In 2023 ! Excellent love the stories I have liked and subscribed. I'd buy a 2023 album if one came out!

[@amnesiahousetv3953]

Firstly, Great video. Completely found this by accident. I'm gonna check out more. You're right about Sharkey Bonkers 3 mix, what a classic. Do remember before the Freeform, it was called Trancecore, which was a silly name imo, but phenomenal music.

[@stuartkmusic]

@Amnesia House TV Trancecore was a bit of a silly name but I can kinda understand where it came from with such a huge Trance/Hard Trance influence in it.

[@thomasOrr]

As someone who worked on and researched Hixxy's ROAR interview for the show, I highly recommend that you watch it. Ian is incredibly candid and honest in his answers to the questions posed by Tom and the viewers. It's the most in-depth deep dive into Ian's history that's ever been recorded and well worth sitting down and devouring. Top marks for this video though, I'm enjoying this series immensely.

[@stuartkmusic]

I can 100% agree with you here. I really enjoyed working my way through it all. Thanks @Hardcore Thomas Orr

[@thomasOrr]

@@stuartkmusic it was one of my greatest pleasures in life working on it. I personally request videos for Sy, Paul Elstak and Ultrasonic. Especially the latter two as it would broaden your reach.

[@stuartkmusic]

I have good news. Sy is the next DJ to feature in the series. I’m so happy you brought up DJ Paul as I love his work. I’ll get him added to the list along with Ultrasonic 👍

[@thomasOrr]

@@stuartkmusic Ultrasonic and Scott Brown are the main reasons hardcore evolved from Breakbeat to 4/4 in the UK in the early to mid 90's. The role Ultrasonic played in the Hardcore scene worldwide is criminally disregarded.

[@JishJosh]

now thats a great video thanks for bringing my childhood back i moved more towards dnb music these days but i always have a play for hardcore im my heart i even did a mix to celebrate

[@stuartkmusic]

Thanks Josh. Would be interested to hear the mix if you’re up for sharing. 👍👍

[@JishJosh]

@@stuartkmusic p.s i actually love the channel it's been amazing catching up on the UK scene from when it started out

[@MadKDog]

I have that Toytown Vinyl - "I'll have one of them" actually I got one. Love this music still now. Didn't realise it was released before Bonkers, personally I think 2 and 5 are the best.

[@stuartwatkinson9720]

Awesome stuff bud

[@stuartkmusic]

Thanks @Stuart Watkinson

[@ryanharbinson3344]

Awesome channel

[@stuartkmusic]

Thanks Ryan

[@oldskoolraveruk]

Bonkers was life back in the day and got me through tbe darkest of times. Supreme and UFO would be a good one to do in the future or even ramos and supreme. Such good producers of some of the best happy hardcore ever made.

[@stuartkmusic]

They would be great to look into. I’ll get them added to the list. 👍

[@stephenmurray2851]

@@stuartkmusic Agreed. UFO was a god. Get him on.

[@ItsPainnz]

rainbows islands one of my favssszzz

[@lugiakane470]

currently at 13k members now

[@moynanplayz5379]

Celtic fans sing toytown and Disco land at games even to this day and there is plenty of videos here on KZbin.

[@stuartkmusic]

Amazing for a track produced so long ago still finding relevance at to footie.

[@chrisconnollyofficial]

Hardcore techno was before these 2. I had all their vinyl. Carl Coz was playing hardcore techno at raves in 1992/1993. I’d over 10k hardcore techno vinyl. Saying that, hixxy and sharkey. Yes yes and er yes!

[@richterparty]

Love it mate! I’m still making and releasing happy hardcore under the name “Richter Party”. The scene feels like it’s very much on the up and positive videos like this only help being new likes and listening let’s. Great watching this and your over videos

[@stuartkmusic]

Thanks @Ben Watts. I've just had a look on Bandcamp. You are right with the description. Happy with a fat bouncy beat. Definitely coming for Sweetheart and might grab a few others while I'm at it. There definitely has seemed to be a shift in the scene lately. Like someone found 6th gear and went for it.

[@richterparty]

@@stuartkmusic - Thanks for the kind words. I have a lot of them for free on SoundCloud! But keep up the good work. Looking forward to the next instalment

[@KristenPiippo-bg1dr]

Stuart, love Hardcore History & HARDCORE all forms of pre said music, especially Rotterdam Free-form & Happy Hardcore. I'm as old as Sharkey - born in the same year (Unfortunately)- only joking keep safe & well & bless ya for these Hardcore History vids. HARDCORE WILL NEVER DIE !!🙂🤪👍🕺.

[@stuartkmusic]

Thanks Kristen. You are gonna love November’s episode. It’s something I’ve been planning for a little while and we will be heading outside the UK for it 👍

[@Mr_pumpkin_]

Excellent video, I love to hear about the history, hixxy is my all time favourite bonkers 7 was my no. 1 every single song you didn't mention dj sy?

[@stuartkmusic]

@Mr pumpkin, no mention of Sy in the video was a little intentional as I did a full video on him this month. 👍

[@Mr_pumpkin_]

@@stuartkmusic I just noticed 😁 thankyou

[@onlyonewhyphy]

I'm so glad I found this channel. HTID

[@Dannysbirdshed]

Fantastic video! as a kid I enjoyed most dance genres. My uncle got me into hardhouse then as a teenager started loving the trance sound (still do) then when I was about 14 my mate had a new album bonkers 11 And after listening immediately was like wooooooow this is like trance but even more!!!! Still love all the albums to this day! Own most of the tracks on vinyl. I feel like ill be in the ground by the time raverbaby gets released digitally 🤣🤣🤣

[@stuartkmusic]

@Danny’s Bird shed You and me both and some of the prices on used wax are tasty. I’m still working on the hardcore in my vinyl collection which has a lot of Hard House and old Scouse as well.

[@AngryBulldogg]

​@@stuartkmusic yea man some of them are expensive as fuck. Seen a near mint copy of 3 steps ahead drop it on discogs from a seller in Germany.... £3000!!! Then again I picked up fury lemonade ray gun helix now control eclipse stairway to Brooklyn and Marc Smith encounters for around £27 with postage. All nice condition media too so swings and roundabouts I suppose

[@stuartkmusic]

@AngryBulldogg £3000 is a bit much for me to be collecting. Sounds like you got a great haul with yours. I’ll be looking around in a week or so to see what’s about 😉

[@AngryBulldogg]

@@stuartkmusic 3k haha, just a tad inflated. Yea got a nice collection going now. Had the base of my collection since around 2007 but started collecting again about 18 months ago. Last one I got was tellurian mokum 60 for the vortex track. All 4 are a belters tho

[@mtbg5332]

I remember hearing hixxys bonkers 1 for the first time in the early 90s, music I'd never heard before..was totally hooked

[@stuartkmusic]

Bonkers 1 was special though @MTBG53 It's the same with almost anything when you think what came 1st. They were excited to showcase what the scene had to offer and you can hear it in both mixes.

[@daren.t.housse2121]

Nice one Stuart 👍👍👍👍👍can not wait for your SY , Stu Allen and the rest 😎🎶👍

[@stuartkmusic]

Cheers @Daren t.housse. Stu Allen!! I told you, I get distracted. Let me get some notes down or we will never get there 😂

[@daren.t.housse2121]

@@stuartkmusic 😂😂😂 that’s ok right back in the days of sold out key 103 house hour and then in to happy hardcore and him writing under the name CLOCK and so on 👍👍🎶🎶 and don’t forget get SY and his scratching 👍😎😎😎

[@bonkers1212]

Subbed brother 👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@stuartkmusic]

Appreciate it @bonkers 1 👍

[@smsno1]

Please do a vibes one!!

[@stuartkmusic]

I think Vibes might be on my list but I will double check and if not, I will get him added 👍

[@carlstardj]

nice something to do while at work :D

[@stuartkmusic]

Glad to be of service Carl. Enjoy the vid 😉

[@akultra_777]

Blessed content ❤

[@akultra_777]

I got my first car and burnt a bunch of cds before heading out, xtreme 8 and the bonkers with the green cover. NOBODY around me got it, but I refused to take em off rotation. Years later they'd ask me to play them at parties. I'd say I got the last laugh but the scene was dead, especially in Australia by the time I was 18. It's so nice to find out more about these beloved scenes that I couldn't talk to anyone about! Thanks so much, you've warmed my heart 🥺 Ps. I want your take on all hard dance bro, long format lmao

[@stuartkmusic]

Thanks for your kind comments. I'd love to do some videos on other parts of the bigger Hard Dance conversation and you never know where dipping my head into the Hardcore scene will eventually lead to.

[@michelle353]

Hixxy playing in cornwall uk 28th august! TNT

[@Dylan_Scott]

Great video, really put everything into context. I came in to Bonkers at 8, and in lieu of being there from the start, I don't think there could have been a better time for me. I was privileged to hear the sounds of freeform grow from its infancy and Sharkey's mixes were always a highlight: a spring board in to exploring the other producers and pioneers at the time, namely my all-time favourites Kevin Energy and Robbie Long. I was always drawn to the less vocal, more upfront sounds, providing it wasn't too aggressive and maintained a level of sophistication on the production. On that note... I would love to see a mini-history in to the TNC label. I dropped out of the music through my mid-late 20s and have no idea what happened to TNC (Long and Stormtrooper and the other artists on that label) -it was definitely a signature sound.

[@stuartkmusic]

I’m not going to say too much Dylan however, talks are happening behind the scenes for a video I think you are going to really enjoy. 😉

[@Dylan_Scott]

@@stuartkmusic sounds exciting! It's great to see your videos are being so well received and shared among the artist and punters, keep up the good work!

[@Dylan_Scott]

@@stuartkmusic I know a bit about Long's hiphop roots... will be cool to hear about that 😋

[@readytogame83]

Heads up new sub 🎉

[@stuartkmusic]

Thanks for the sub 👍👍 Welcome to our little corner of KZbin.

[@syntaxerrorfriends]

Wonderful video once again mate. Just one thing though I was always under the impression it was Bonkers 5 where Hixxy had the broken neck issue, hence why he doesn't do any of his usual scratching on it like he did on the first four albums, due to having to be helped to even get the vinyl on the platters..... Also thank you for having the flyers on from the Radio Show I'm part of - Hardcore Vibes Radio, Carl works tirelessly on his station to get unknown Hardcore DJ's a chance to showcase their skills to a wider audience.

[@stuartkmusic]

Cheers Syntax. I got that from the podcast interviews straight from Hixxy’s mouth 👍

[@syntaxerrorfriends]

@@stuartkmusic Thank you for the reply mate, if the man himself said it then of course you're right. Begs the question then why Hixxy's mixing was so safe on Bonkers 5, he'd always tried to show his turntable ability on the other Album's, always struck me as strange even back then.

[@stuartkmusic]

@Syntax Error & Friends Thanks not needed mate, I love continuing the discussion with all of you and you're right to question it. I just wish I had an answer. In the interviews they discussed that era a little bit and it was suggested that the albums 4/5 and I think possibly even 6 were seen as the lower quality albums in the series. I don't remember him really having any rhyme or reason for it though.

[@Howdonnn]

In the sleevenotes on bonkers 4 (i think) , or maybe 3 , hixxy mentions fracturing his neck twice if thats any help mate.

[@stuartkmusic]

I hadn’t even noticed that @the troof. I’ll have to check that one out. Thanks mate

[@travelwithamate]

Very good video mate. It’s really interesting what happened to the scene as I was a part of it in the 90s. You could see the problems but it seems everyone ignored them. The same DJs played the same events constantly. The number of promoters, DJs and producers was tiny really and the obsession with only playing anthem after anthem, coupled with the obsession to jump on the latest musical fad meant that it was an obvious downward spiral. When the likes of helter skelter closed up shop the righting was on the wall. The millennium eve was also a nightmare for promoters who lost thousands in half full events. Uk rave was the snake that ate its own tail. It definitely come back eventually but never to the degree that it could have during the mid 90s. In fact every rave documentary now completely glosses over the mid to late 90s and concentrates on the early 90s which is a real shame. I’m glad I was a part of such an incredible moment in history. The parties would truly epic. The scene was, for time, thriving. The people I met were genuinely awesome. Very fond memories.

[@stuartkmusic]

I’m hearing a lot about how it went stale for all the reasons you mentioned. Love the snake that ate its own tail comment. Probably the best way to describe what happened

[@yourconscience507]

It may not have come back as strong as it did in the mid 90’s but post 2001 UK Hardcore really did have a pretty big resurgence. breeze & Styles, Brisk & Ham, Hixxy again, Scott Brown again, hardcore for pretty big again. It’s basically dead now which is unfortunate because it’s my favourite electronic genre but still, it definitely had a bit of an explosion again in the early-late 2000’s. HTID In The Sun was pretty massive and hardcore was what got Kursk on British radio.

[@oggyraverbabyghost]

I know you are going through the DJs of the scene but would love to see a video on some of the MCs as they are a part of it as well, would love to see a video on Junior, Whizzkid, Charlie B as well as some of the D&B MCs

[@stuartkmusic]

Absolutely @Oggy Ghost. I’ve been slowly adding MCs to the list and you will definitely be seeing them appear in the videos soon 👍

[@scottlenharth4200]

Big up Stu! 👍 Kudos for the Tazzmania mention. John (Sharkey) was one of the most humble and genuine guys within the scene along with Ian and Dave (Druid) Had some memorable nights at Aldershot and Hastings pier. Keep up the excellent content 👍

[@stuartkmusic]

Thanks @Scott Lenharth. 👍

[@djdtor]

Bonkers a big reason I am who I am

[@stuartkmusic]

@D-tor bet you are looking forward to what is coming in the next one then?

[@user-dt8pu2if8x]

Bonkers was class

[@stuartkmusic]

Class A 😉

[@melilost4890]

Yea the laws on raves here in the us definitely killed the scene but I heard about 2009 and it’s my favorite music still 💕

[@damiencrowe6098]

Another great video, great in depth knowledge.. Toy Town was the tune that seemed to divide hardcore ravers even to this day..breakbeat ravers shunned it, whilst the new era loved it.. Which brings an idea for a vid. Was breakbeat hardcore or 4 beat hardcore more popular?

[@stuartkmusic]

It truly did divide ravers but was also an important part of the story of Happy Hardcore as a whole. Or so I felt anyway 😂 Great video idea but I would end up arguing with myself by the end of it as I love both the Breakbeat and the 4x4 stuff 😂

[@damiencrowe6098]

@@stuartkmusic this is true, there was good and bad in both aspects of breakbeat and 4/4.. How about, Why did producers drop breakbeats from hardcore?? Keep the content coming..👍

[@DjSamination]

Internationally, I believe the 4-beat or dutch/bouncy techno styled happy hardcore was more popular. At least I have no memory of ever hearing breakbeat on swedish radio. I think the closest Ive heard is the more club-friendlier Garage scene (with Sweet Like Chocolate having some playtime). As for the more 4-beat, Sweden was more eurodance friendly, so songs with the sound of Scooter and Blossom had radio play.

[@stuartkmusic]

That’s an even better idea 🤩 although there is a whole movement around “modern” HHC which uses a lot of the original ideas. If we are talking Breakbeat, there’s one guy we have to talk about. Luna-C

[@stuartkmusic]

That makes a lot of sense Samination. I’m guessing you saw a huge side of the Euro Dance scene over there. We got a lot of the early breakbeat rave stuff when I was in school with SL2, Liquid and Smarte’s which led me into the rave scene. I was never “bling” enough for the Garage scene 😂

[@gaving321]

Wow brilliant. Stuart you must put some time effort and research into this, so In depth yet cover decades in 23mins, Bonkers 4 best of the lot to this day still listen to it. Can’t wait for next one pal

[@stuartkmusic]

Cheers Gavin. The research certainly keeps me quiet for a bit 😂 MC Junior next mate 👍

[@gaving321]

@@stuartkmusic that’ll be good one , cannot wait

[@nightswithping]

do a video on what happened to Clubland Xtreme X (10).. it was advertised at one point they even had a clubnight for the premier and then poof.. disappeared doubt we'll ever see it now because of the sale of ATTW

[@JAIQMIXES]

Proper!

[@stuartkmusic]

Smashing! Thanks @JAI Q

[@LiamBranch]

I still have Bonkers 2 on Vinyl. Don't have record decks anymore but don't think I can part with it.

[@stuartkmusic]

Bet there would be plenty knocking your door for that record. I did get offered a copy a little while back but was too busy grabbing at the Paul Elstak and Scott Brown records he had 😆

[@stuartkmusic]

Hi guys. It’s come to light there were a few bits I got wrong in the video. I posted a video to my FB with details and some info from Sharkey himself. 😉

[@lfc86]

Mc storm has to be done. Marmite figure but I loved him one of the reason I followed the music a scene! The scenes best mc hands down

[@stuartkmusic]

You’re not on your own there Michael. I will admit, I mentioned MC Storm in this video to test the waters. I’m glad you understood the assignment 👍 He’s on the list.

[@lfc86]

@Stuart-K Music fantastic I'll be looking forward to that one. As much a pioneer to UK hardcore as the djs In my eyes. Not so much happy hardcore but definitely uk hardcore. Thanks mate for the great Content so far. Very Interesting.

[@NuFc0X0Longbenton]

Would absolutely love a Storm video

[@scottevans5689]

Great video as are all your videos, can we have a Sy video next please as i'm sure you're aware there would be plenty to discuss with Sy?

[@stuartkmusic]

@Scott Evans I’m gonna have to let the cat out the bag early aren’t I? 😂 DJ Sy will be the next video. It’s the most popularly requested one to date. I’ll get my pad out and see where we go from there 👍

[@scottevans5689]

@Stuart-K Music Fabulous, seriously these videos are ace, there's nothing out there as detailed as these videos on our scene, and as i'm a 2000's raver it's nice to hear about the early days and how all these guys started and worked together , great stuff 👍🏻

[@stuartj1079]

Great video, I think a video on the home of U.K. rave would be good….. the sanctuary Milton Keynes.

[@stuartkmusic]

Thanks @Stuart J. Funny you should say that, I saw a short on the ‘Tok’ today from Fat Controller where he does a series of “guess the old rave site” I’ve thought about taking a trip up to Milton Keynes for a bit of a nosey but I’ll wait until the weathers a bit better.

[@stuartj1079]

@@stuartkmusic I have to admit, I hate being dragged round the IKEA store for many reasons but being on the old site is the biggest. I know that ravers used to show up at the store and hold a mini event until security would kick them out 😄

[@jamieshearer9714]

They should do another bonkers album

[@stuartkmusic]

With all the work that is going into the brand lately, I'm hopeful it will only be a matter of time before we see another but will it be another high street album and will it chart at Woolworths? 😂

[@SMac-bq6pz]

I think bonkers 4 was the turning point. Hixxy brought in the trance/techno mix which was quite evident in the first 4 tracks. A sharp contrast to the conventional happy hardcore mix

[@Rockysbeats]

all you need is the knowledge.. a little imagination

[@SMac-bq6pz]

@@Rockysbeats 👍👌

[@MarkBreezeuk]

👌🏻

[@stuartkmusic]

Morning @Mark Breeze. Thanks for watching mate 👍

[@markdonovan8884]

Would love to see a vid on Loftgroover. He’s played everything and all over the world yet never seems to get much attention.

[@stuartkmusic]

Just had a quick scan around and wow, Tony has done a lot. I’ll get him added to the list @Mark Donovan 👍

[@saturn1returns]

Good shout with lofty!

[@JAIQMIXES]

Would love a vid about JAKAZiD!

[@stuartkmusic]

Great idea. I will get him added to the list 👍

[@sks2002]

Btw, if you want to know what happened to the bonkers bar in Butlins Minehead, here’s some of my research. After 1996, Butlins changed the bar into an Irish pub called The Swinging Shillelagh. The Irish bar remained there until 2012 when they changed it to Inn on The Green where it’s still named to this day. You would mostly go there now either for a drink or for the karaoke nights that happens there frequently.

[@stuartkmusic]

That’s amazing. Thanks @sks2002. 👍

[@C--A]

Fun fact Glasgow had a Bonkers nightclub back in the day 🎶 it was absolutely nuts!

[@Dave-ie2gq]

Htid was out well before 2011, 06 i think

[@stuartkmusic]

The brand certainly was around for a long time but that specific offshoot label that Mark and Hixxy created seems to have only started releases in 2011

[@DjSamination]

I doubt it's something hixxy will acknowledge, but from what I've heard, most of the licensing issues are related to aatw 'owning' the raverbaby backcat, and considering I can't buy a lot of aatw from Sweden, I have a feeling they're quite stingy.

[@stuartkmusic]

That’s what I heard too on the ROAR interviews. He mentioned them and Universal which makes me wonder if there were also some other deals done behind the scenes there too.

[@djkyzr7660]

Video ideas The rise of recon Whizzkid history Sy and unknown history What happened to mc odyssey Kevin energy freeform foundations and history

[@stuartkmusic]

All great ideas. The video on Sy will be dropping on Wednesday. I’ll get the others added to the list 👍

[@djkyzr7660]

@@stuartkmusic I can’t wait, been waiting for the next one

[@stuartkmusic]

Not long to go now mate. Putting the finishing touches to it today and tomorrow. 👍

[@user-wu1dv6jk5s]

2 people that destroyed the rave scene with their horrible commercial happy hardcore, well done!

[@Krone64]

Now the rhythm station in aldershot is a Gurkha restaurant :(

[@stuartkmusic]

But is the restaurant any good?

[@Krone64]

@@stuartkmusic Won't catch me going in there. They have over run the town now :(

[@leigholding1397]

Cause LSD. They are good in cars for drifting.

[@oldskool8441]

I've seen a lot of requests for Storm. What I'd like to know is what age group are these people in? I will also say one more thing, The MC is NEVER bigger than the DJ 😉

[@stuartkmusic]

😆 @OldSkool84 drive that one home buddy 😆 From what I can see on the back end of KZbin, most people who watch the videos are around my age 40-45 bracket. We do get some of the younger crowd every now and then but most are from the original HHC generation I think. There have been a hell of a lot of requests for Storm, especially since the Sy video.

[@djhaynes99]

It is strange Bonkers 3 was number 1 in Woolworths charts, I was told back in 97 on a music tech course that the Woolworths chart was what Woolworths wanted to sell that week, it wasn't based on record sales.

[@stuartkmusic]

I never knew this. That has just blown my mind and of course seems so logical that the business would create a chart to push their sales. Thanks for this info. 👍

[@Triquatra]

Weird, my comment disappeared. Bonkers 1 and 2 both charted, and charted well. Bonkers 1 got to 26 on (21/07/1996). Bonkers 2 got to #10 (04/05/1997) Bonkers 3 also didn't peak at 30. It peaked at #9 (26/10/1997)

[@stuartkmusic]

Hi @Triquanta. Any chance I could grab your source for that as I’ve just double checked again on the UK Chart Log and it definitely says #31 (01.11.1997) Would be handy to have extra sources so I can cross reference info 👍

[@Triquatra]

Hi, I'm replying with direct links to the UK top 40, but it keeps deleting my replies as spam as they have URLS (I'm guessing) though if you use the official UK Charts site, you can click Charts, then Compilations, then Top 100, then change the date to (21/07/1996) for Bonkers 1, (04/05/1997) for Bonkers 2, and then (26/10/1997) for bonkers 3. Though I was wrong about Bonkers 1, it got to 25 the following week, not 26! Bonkers 4 actually peaked higher than Bonkers 3, coming in at 8 (The highest chart position for any soley happy hardcore compilation of the 90s*). But its sales slowed after that...unlike Bonkers 3 which just kept on selling! *I say solely happy hardcore album because 'United Dance THE ANTHEMS '92-'97' also came in at #8 the year before Bonkers 4 which had a mixed happy hardcore CD the other CD in that compilation being more old skool hardcore/breakbeat/jungle.

[@stuartkmusic]

Thanks @Triquatra. Some fantastic information there. The only explanation is that the “Silver” edition is the one documented on the UK Chart Log. Going forward, I don’t think I will be using the log for information as it’s maybe not as complete as I was led to believe.

[@carolhall7891]

From what I've heard Happy Hardcore today isn't like it used to be, example DJ DNA Flowed On A Vibe, Dr Who Love Of My Life, MIDAS Take It From The Groove (VinylGroover Remix 96), JDS Higher Love (Slipmatt Remix), SMD-SMD#3 (VinylGroover's 99 Obsessions Remix), DJ Ham/DJ Demo/Justin Time The Big Spill & obviously Here I AM etc. Today's Happy Hardcore is more dance music with a lot more vocals 😭 a lot more commercialized, it's not what I would call happy hardcore more like hard dance music.

[@stuartkmusic]

@Carol Hall from what I have seen, looking around more since starting this, there is a scene of people who still produce using the old techniques and sounds such as DJ HH and if I remember rightly, some of Pete Cannons stuff too. Over the last 30 years or so, the sound of Happy Hardcore has evolved massively, taking ideas from a wide range of other genres, some successful, others not so. I stay on the “Freeform” side of the genre now and it’s trancey and as the name suggests, free from form so pretty much anything goes. It’s one of the main reason I love Happy Hardcore because it’s so diverse.

[@sc2057l]

Hmmm, so are we completely skip over the controversy from around 2012?

[@dancemusicorganisation]

Bonkers was the death nail of my hardcore CD collecting. Having been a digital DJ since 1991, and had been collecting as well as DJing with all the top rave tracks, this series came out when Virgin, Woolworths, Our Price & HMV stopped stocking underground rave / house / techno / jungle / hardcore / trance / DnB etc. Why you think Bonkers was underground and people were amazed to see it in the high street is beyond me and just shows your ignorance about what was available on CD in the high street at that time. Formation, Suburban Bass, Kniteforce, United Dance, Moving Shadow, Rising High, Jumpin & Pumpin', Slammin, as well as decent DJ friendly releases from REACT, were all in the high street record shops! Seriously, the list is huge of all the top labels and releases with full length DJ friendly tracks that were all in the high street years before this awful DJ Mix Bonkers compilations came out in 1997 (Bonkers 1 was 1996). I have hundreds of CD's with all the top tracks from the rave era purchased way before 1997, in fact it was in 1991 when I purchased my first rave track on CD, which was GTO - Listen To The Rhythm Flow - on REACT! I've met James Horrocks (DJ Zorro), he's a really nice guy and is fully aware of my distain for the Bonkers series as well as my love for the music he put out on REACT, as it was his label that started my digital DJing journey and it was also his label with the Bonkers compilations that killed it!