Therersquo;s something addictive about Joey Riotrsquo;s personality that you can never quite put your finger on Bouncing around on the main stage at the weeke

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Jon-Brown
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United Kingdom
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Joined: Dec, 2006

Posted - 2009/12/16 : 21:22:29

There’s something addictive about Joey Riot’s personality that you can never quite put your finger on. Bouncing around on the main stage at the weekend at any number of big room raves from Bournemouth to Birkenhead, Joey’s infectious enthusiasm for his craft, his music and his fans and followers often finds him at the helm of a virtual King’s banquet table of lights, switches, decks and effects each week. Standing tall upon his platform of a stage that for him is home, he screams “come on” and a flock of followers a thousand deep chant back with a decibel injected “Joey, Joey, Joey ****ing Riot!”

This friends, is just a glimpse at a typical moment in Joey’s life and forms just part of a wholesomely creative lifestyle that sees him fill the roles of writer, producer, singer, songwriter, musician, performer, DJ and MC on a day to day basis. Famed for his work in all of the above categories in an ever vibrant UK hardcore scene, but not tying himself to one genre (Joey’s work also extends to gabber, hardstyle, trance, house and most recently drum and bass projects); this Scottish born all round entertainer has been responsible for many a vinyl, download, remix, compilation album and even free download smash success by way of his home grown label platform Lethal Theory, which he co-owns with the brilliant DJ Kurt and recently was awarded a ‘Best Label’ trophy for from Hardcore Heaven’s annual awards ceremony

Quite literally in the middle of a drum and bass free download mix project with the outrageously energetic MC Enemy (whom which he works with regularly), I caught up with Joey ahead of his forthcoming appearance at Dynamite at Longs in Lymington on Thursday 17th December whereby he’ll be performing as both DJ and host for a Breakthrough MC competition.

How are you Sir? What’s presently occurring in your busy day at the time of accosting you for this interview?

Hello there Jon. All is rocking with me buddy, at the moment I’m typing while recording Enemy’s vocals on my new drum and bass mix. As you know we like to mix it up, crossing genres, if it’s good music then I’m all over it!

Indeed. It would seem that you never rest my friend, for there is so much to your credit, that it would be fair to say you yourself have become a brand name, these past few years. Let’s begin with your label Lethal Theory, fresh off the back of a win at this year’s Hardcore Heaven Awards for ‘Best Label’, what do you feel that you and Kurt did this past year any differently to previous years to finally get that much deserved win?

First up, thanks to everyone who voted, it really does mean the World to win such a prestigious award. Since we started Lethal Theory we’ve had the same ethos and work ethic from day one. I think each year off the back of any success we have, we just get hungry for more and try to improve on everything we do.

That said, Lethal Theory also has launched a number of sub-labels or imprints recently too, can you tell us more about those and what each one represents?

‘Lethal Theory Raw’ is the label that myself and Kurt launched to help new talent break through into the scene. This label is to showcase up and coming DJs and Producers that have been working with us in the studio and from their own studios. ‘Sacred’ is the new label that I’m launching in spring 2010 to release my gabber tracks and these will be distributed by Icon and Midtown.

Midtown handles all the big Dutch labels and to be working with a name like that is something else so I’m very excited about that.

You seem to always never be too busy to appreciate new talent. Despite a very tight production and remix schedule there, both you and Kurt are always willing to open the studio door for new folks to come in and learn from you, hire the studio and be taught new tips and tricks. Why do you feel this is important and how do you find the time?

New talent breaking through is essential if our scene wants to grow and survive. It was really difficult for me and Kurt to break through and we just want to give budding producers the chance to shine. Finding the time is difficult but over the years I’ve got better at managing my time.

You’ve been associated with many compilations since hardcore’s resurgence, Hardcore Heaven and Hardcore Nation to name the shortlist and recently the free download album Bar Wars 2: The Riot Strikes Back with SE1, any plans for any more and if so, any opportunities to hear your darker side here, such as some of your gabber or hardstyle productions we mentioned earlier?

‘Bar Wars 2’ has done over 20,000 downloads within a month of being released… big things - thanks to everyone who downloaded the mix. Me doing the ‘Bar Wars’ mix was a precursor to me doing regular ‘Lethal Theory’, ‘Lethal Theory Raw’ and ‘Sacred’ albums at a budget price, these will be available from http://www.serioussounds.net

Which of course, you own along with the bad boy Savage, a quick rundown for those that don’t know what that is and in answering that, how it’s been standing up against vinyl releases, which you also still sell in copious amounts…

Me and Savage run Serious Sounds yes, along with our talented tech guys Chris & Dave. Serious Sounds is our online mp3 store serioussounds.net and it has all of the biggest and best hardcore labels on the site with all the freshest cuts online – check it out!

We have loads more labels coming on board across different genres too in the coming months, hard dance, hardstyle, gabber and drum & bass so keep your eyes peeled... big tingz afoot!

You are a pretty multi-talented, singer, songwriter, producer, engineer, vocalist, musician, DJ, MC and even at one stage promoter – where do you gather all those skills, does it run in the family, were you born with it or did you have to train very hard? How do you juggle it all?

Thanks for saying that mate, my Dad was a talented guitarist and song writer, who taught me loads and gave me plenty of encouragement. My big Sister sings in a band and my younger Sister plays guitar and drums (also a great singer!)

I wouldn’t say I was born with talent but I was brought up in an environment where there was always music playing or being played and loved it so much that I worked my ass off to learn the skills that I have now. I don’t find it that hard to juggle what I do because I have so much passion for what I do.

Most would agree that you are more than a DJ in terms of your live gigs, not only do you do far more than play tracks, but it is fair to say your live shows with Kurt and Enemy have so much energy also. How important is it for you to make that is as energetic a performance as possible. Do you agree it’s important to be more than just the guy at one end of a room playing records?

I’d like to think of myself more as an entertainer than just a DJ. As a punter I like to be entertained so when I’m on stage I try to give it everything I’ve got so the people in the crowd go home at the end of the night and know that they’ve had a good time. A DJ is there primarily to play music; I just like to try and take it to another level and the same goes with our live shows and is something that me Kurt and Enemy all feel strongly about.

Speaking of which, you’re at Kandie Rush’s week night event Dynamite fairly soon, you’ve been working with Kandie of late have you not on one or two productions?

I am indeed and it’s shaping up to be a good night, looking forward to it! Kandie has been in the studio a number of times, she is a keen learner and is trying her best to push ahead in the scene. She has been working really hard and that has shown with her forthcoming release on ‘Lethal Theory Raw’.

You’re also judging an MC competition there we’re told? What will you be looking for in a winner and what advice would you give to someone wanting to be breaking through as an MC?

As you know Jon, I started out as an MC, and so I will be looking for number of things from the winner... first is knowing when to shut up. Too many MC’s are overbearing and don’t let the music breathe, crowd interaction and stage presence is next and lyrics and originality are key factors too!

Advice for up and coming MC’s? Get out to the small raves, get talking to the promoters and try to get an early set to show what you can do. Don’t overkill it with the lyrics, make sure you get the crowd involved and most importantly have some fun with it!

Joseph McHugh – we thank you, we’ll see you at Dynamite! Feel free to share your gig dates, release dates, web links, tips, tricks and Horse racing tip off’s here…
No worries see you all at ‘Dynamite’ for some ‘Lethal Theory’ madness! ‘Lethal Theory 19’ and’ Lethal Theory Raw 2’ are out now http://www.imorecords.com for vinyl and http://www.serioussounds.net for the mp3s.

‘Lethal Theory Raw 3’ will be out in December!

‘Bar Wars Volume 2: The Riot Strikes Back’ with myself and SE1 is out now and free from serioussounds.net. Also, log on for other free mixes and tracks and look out for ‘Sacred Records’ in early 2010, the new gabber label from Joey Riot! Our drum & bass free download mix drops any day now too!

Big shout to the Wigmasters and the Hardcore Penguins, Optimus Riomeneguin rules supreme! Big love to all who downloaded Bar Wars 2, Enemy & Stats, bad boys; Kurt and all the Theory crew, all the Raw artists and massive shout to all the ravers who make my job the best in the World, I love the lot of you and would be **** all without ya! We did it all for the cookies!

Riot Hugs,

Joey ;)

Catch Joey as DJ and Judge at Dynamite, Thursday 17th December at Longs in Lymington. The event kicks off at 20:00pm and is just £5 in advance or £8 on the door. More details via the links below or by e-mailing [email protected], with thanks to Joey Riot, Kandie Rush and Ned-E.

Words: Jon Brown - http://www.twitter.com/jonbrowntv
Pictures: Supplied by Lethal Theory, with thanks to Tristan Griffiths, http://www.tgpromotions.com; used with permission… ya bawbags!

DON'T FORGET! THURSDAY 17TH DECEMBER!