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Celebrating 15 Years of Nuclear Free Zone with Aaron Liberator
Reported by Latex Zebra
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Submitted 31-10-07 09:03
For a party to reach its 15th Birthday you'd expect it to be something pretty special and Nuclear Free Zone hosted by The Liberator DJs most certainly is that. This pioneering and era defying party put acid techno on the map with its packed out crowds at the famous 414 dancing to the closest thing that the dance music scene has to punk.
On November 10th they celebrate this monumental achievement down Brixton way with the full compliment of Liberator DJs, Chris, Aaron and Julian all joined by D.A.V.E The Drummer and Cloggi. This promises to be a night full of the best acid and funky techno played by the people who created it and nurtured it. With most of the promotion for the gig being deeply underground and word of mouth I managed to tunnel my way into the Stay Up Forever HQ and put some questions to one of the nicest guys in the scene, Aaron Liberator. Here's what he had to say.
Aaron Liberator
How did the Liberators meet and why the name for the collective?
I first met Julian back in 1991 while I was squatting in Stamford Hill and he introduced me to Chris. Our love of excessive partying and techno and the fact that there weren’t many of our friends into this music drove us to go out as a DJ team, first around Hackney and then into the fields for Free Festivals. The collective got its name because it covers all aspects of what we do from DJ bookings to record manufacture which we do for labels such as D.A.V.E The Drummer’s Hydraulix, the Geezer’s RAW and our own Stay Up Forever and Cluster.
How do you think the sound of the London techno underground has changed over the last 15 years?
The sound has become very diverse. Back when we started Stay Up Forever in 1994 the tracks we and our friends made were very simple. We were all learning how to master the technology as we went along. So you can hear how the music got better sounding as the artist got better at making it. The other big change you can hear is the advance in technology especially software.
What about the people coming to the parties, are they still the same kinds of people?
Yes definitely! Always slightly alternative and always a very international crowd.
What do you think played the most important role in the rise and development of acid techno over the years?
I think Chris Liberator’s relentless campaigning across the globe has been the best thing for the scene as you couldn’t have a nicer ambassador and better DJ.
Chris Liberator
A lot of acid techno has humorous names, samples or lyrics that often belay the ferocity of the music behind it; is there any reason for this or it all just for a laugh?
Some of us have a totally warped sense of humour which you can see in the track titles and names. The funny stuff that’s said on the records goes down well as I think the fans never take it too seriously either.
Following on from that there have been some quite political tracks, do you think that this can have an affect on peoples perceptions in such an underground community or is it preaching to the converted?
It’s really a personal thing for us as we have opinions and beliefs and from time to time you want to express them but hopefully do it not to preachy. I think you can over do it in dance music.
The term “Underground” is often dismissed, especially on this site, what does the term Underground mean to you?
Well the squatted warehouse scene we grew up in is defiantly as underground as you can get, firstly it’s illegal, secondly it’s open to anybody and thirdly you can do what you like until the police come.
It has been noted that the dance music scene is facing a decline in numbers and despite massive promotion from some events, they are still poorly attended. How are you guys weathering the storm, especially as a lot of your promotion is down to word of mouth?
We are doing ok as we have regular crowds throughout the world that follow us and the music. The thing is we don’t organize really big parties in London like at the SE1 because we know it would be near impossible to fill with just our lot.
Julian Liberator
How do you think dance music can get new blood into the scene, with more kids being into R’n’B and bands? Can the masses be converted again like they where in the early 90s?
Things go round and electronic dance music is as deeply ingrained as much as live music, just look at the power of hip hop and house in pop. There has been a big switch as the rave scene has lost popularity, but you’ve got to have choices or thing get really dull.
Over 15 years you must have has some crazy experiences, any that can be remembered or legally printed here?
Like most DJs we have had a lot of mad sessions usually involving drink, strangers’ houses, hotels, planes and getting lost in East European housing estates. One of my favourite memories is playing records to crazy lovable Polish ravers on a tram in Krakow going through the old part of town at night. Couldn’t stop laughing as it was such a mad concept and the reaction from the people outside ranged from bemused to just plain scared as we passed due to the smoke, strobes and acid techno pouring out the windows.
Have any of the guests or residents gone onto greater things?
A lot of the guests are friends from the various cities we play in around the world and some are now famous in their home countries like DJ Bone from Detroit and Camillo Rocha from Brazil. From the UK John Askew, a wicked geezer and now a world renowned trance DJ, was very helpful to us when running Nuclear Free Zone.
Outside of the usual suspects, who have been your favourite guests over the years.
Good thing is the guests always go down well , but for me TC Brain from Belgium, DJ Ivor from Cork in Ireland and Dougie from Plymouth spring to mind.
Back in the day it was great having people like John The Baptist and Choci playing tough techno sets,
Have you ever experimented with any other sounds of music at Nuclear Free Zone or is it techno till you drop?
It’s mainly party techno and acid, but I always felt you could play different styles of techno and it would still go down well.
How are you and the artists at Stay Up Forever feeling about the digital age of music?
Well it’s a big loss for the artists as you make money from selling records but not so much from downloads, musicians cannot support themselves on download revenue and the odd DJ gig , which means they have to get regular jobs and cannot spend the necessary time needed to be really good musicians. Hopefully more money will come from downloads as the DJ goes digital.
Can you see Nuclear Free Zone carrying on for another 15 years?
There's this reggae DJ in Bristol called DJ Derek who’s just great. I think he’s in his mid sixties and he’s still playing, so you never know!
Photos courtesy of the HarderFaster archive. Not to be reproduced without permission
Nuclear Free Zone
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On:
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Saturday 10th November 2007
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At:
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CLUB 414 [map]
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From:
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10pm-6am
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Cost:
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£8b412 £10 after.
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Website:
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www.club414.com
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More:
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Nuclear Free Zone started as an Ambient / Techno night at the Brain Club in Wardour Street in the West End of London. The night was run by DJ Rocket of Quaff records and featured guests Mix Master Morris and the Liberator Djs. It was in 1992 that with a little persuasion from the Liberator Djs the night moved to the Club 414 and became a Techno night every two weeks representing the rapidly growing underground Free Party scene that was happening in abandoned warehouses all across London. The original line up was Aaron, Chris and Julian Liberator, Rocket, Cloggi and Phidgit.
Now run by Aaron Liberator and Club 414 the now monthly night has always played the best from Underground techno and been a launch pad for new productions from artist like D.A.V.E. The Drummer and The Geezer on the Liberator Djs various record labels such as Stay Up Forever and Cluster. As the Liberator Djs have become famous throughout the techno world they have always had their hearts in London and at Club 414.
On the 10th of November Nuclear Free is 15 years old, so we will be having a monster bash to celebrate with D.A.V.E. The Drummer, Cloggi and of course the Liberators. This will be a night for old friends to reunite and for some of the new crowd to se what its all about.
On the night the price is £8.00 before midnight and £10 after and goes from 10pm to 6am. 414 Coldharbour Lane, Brixton SW9 tel 0207 924 9322
Tickets available through www.accessallareas.org <http://www.accessallareas.org/> info aaron@sufcollective.co.uk 0208 533 1777
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Flyer:
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 - 
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Region:
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London
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Music:
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Acid Techno. Funky Techno. Techno.
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DJ's:
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Aaron Liberator
Chris Liberator
Julian Liberator
D.A.V.E. The Drummer
Cloggi
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Other Features By Latex Zebra:
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Bar 414 unveils a new dimension with Base Mosquito
Brandon Block gets Funky 414 London!
Dissecting Scot Project
The HarderFather speaks! Meet him yourself at the HF vs The Residents Xmas Party
The views and opinions expressed in this review are strictly those of the author only for which HarderFaster will not be held responsible or liable.
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