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Futurebound Interview
Drum and Bass | Thursday 15th December 2011 | Annalisa
When it comes to drum & bass, Futurebound really has been there and done that. From 80’s illegal raves, 90’s jungle and the noughties digital revolution, he’s experienced it all firsthand. Now one of the most established DJ/ producers on the scene, Futurebound’s spent decades smashing dance-floors worldwide, as well as developing young talent through his Viper recordings label.
Get ready for a mini-tour through all things drum & bass, past, present and future…
Introduce yourself!
Hi, I’m Brendan Collins, or Futurebound, from Liverpool.
How did you first get into the drum & bass scene?
I used to be a bit of tear-away. I left school at 15 and hung out with some older kids who’d smuggle me along to illegal raves. One was Brave New World, where Sasha was playing. It totally blew me away. From that moment I was hooked on dance music, obsessed even.
I spent years going to illegal raves, they were the best times, when it was really underground still. But I got sick of having to go to random fields to see the likes of Fabio & Grooverider, so I started putting on my own nights in Liverpool.
Back then we were booking people like LTJ Bukem, 4Hero and Goldie, and losing thousands of pounds. Actually, Goldie never got paid – I still owe him for that gig! But we didn’t care cos we were only kids.
Then I got involved in the production side of things. A few of my tunes blew up, like ‘Sorrow’ in the mid-90’s. In fact, Goldie wanted that track for Metalheadz, but I’d already promised it to John Graham (Quivver) and at the time I thought loyalty was the way to go. I probably would’ve got bigger quicker if I’d sold out!
When did you set up Viper recordings?
Starting a label was always my ambition. When I was signed to J Majik’s Infrared label, I found myself doing loads of A&R’ing and realised I was pretty good at it.
Around 2003, I made a track called Pied Piper. I had Dilinja, Andy C, all the big dogs trying to sign it. But I thought if there’s any time to start a label, it’s now – when everyone’s wanting my music. So Viper was born.
Where’s the name Viper from?
Ha I actually ripped it off from Johnny Depp’s club in LA, the Viper Rooms. So big up to Johnny Depp! It’s a cool name, but I’m petrified of snakes!
What have you got planned for the coming year?
I’m playing loads of European festivals, in Prague, Austria, all over. Austria’s going off at the moment.
Label-wise, we’ve got lots of upcoming releases. The new Summer Slammers LP is just out, a Furlonge single, the next Camo & Krooked EP, and I’m personally working on a new Martix and Futurebound album for 2011.
What do you think about the state of dance music at the moment?
I love that it’s all come full circle now, that all the genres have merged and you can play house tracks at a dnb night. If you’d tried that a few years back you’d have been lynched! The dance music scene seems so healthy and vibrant at the moment, it’s great.
I see you’re still repping vinyl when you play out!
Ha yeah, I’m one of last vinyl-ists left, it’s almost become a status symbol now! It’s just what I feel comfortable with, but digital is where it’s at. It’s funny, DJ’s are always moaning that no-one buys vinyl anymore, but then they’re playing with a laptop so what do they expect?!
What are your top tracks at the moment?
I think Noisia are doing some awesome stuff, I love their fucked up sound. Shock One, DC Breaks and Metrik are producing amazing music too. And obviously Sub Focus is a leading light for all of us in drum & bass. He’s a fantastic producer.
What would be your ultimate line-up for a Viper night?
I’d have people right from the start. Frankie Knuckles, Sasha, Andy C, Randall, as well as some newbies like Nero, Sub Focus, all my Viper guys. But we’d have to get everyone totally mashed up so that when Frankie Knuckles comes on after Sub Focus no-one gives a fuck!
What’s been your most exciting moment to date?
Playing next to a beautiful waterfall in Puerto Rico was pretty special. Another one was in Russia when we did a pirate station set for 6,000 people with dancers, pyrotechnics, balloons.
Although for some reason the balloons were really heavy. Just as I dropped my first track one of them smashed me in the face! That brought me down to earth a bit.
And your most embarrassing moment?
A week after Russia I played in a dockers club in Barrow, Inverness, and 25 people showed up. That was embarrassing. And to top it off, someone spilt an entire pint of Stella in my bag and ruined all my records.
Another time was at one of my first big gigs. I took the wrong needle off the decks just as Grooverider walked in… shocker.
Have you got a secret crush?
I used to be mad for DJ Rap. I played after her one night and was trying to be all professional, but I was actually pretty sleazy. She probably thought I was a right weirdo!
