Old Skool Legends 1 – Altern-8 – Exclusive DJ Mix

The Acid House Presents “Old Skool Legends”, a new addition to the virtual record box that features exclusive mixes from key Dj’s and Producers that were pioneering and inspirational during the explosion of the dance music scene throught the 80’s and the early 90’s.

I am proud to present The Acid House’ first Exclusive mix from the infamous Altern-8, this 2hr mix was recorded live at The Clarence Sligo 18-4-2009.

Altern8 consisted of 2 producers Mark Archer & Chris Peat. Originally starting out as Nexus 21 as a pure techno act, but after recording 9 tracks of a different style whilst using up some studio time, the ’side project’ Altern 8 was born. They decided that although rave music was meant to be danced to not looked at, that live PA’s should entertain the crowd – hence the chemical warfare protection suits and yellow masks! Their first E.P. The Overload E.P. had a distinct techno feel to it, but their second E.P. The Vertigo E.P. took on the sound of the breakbeat hardcore sound. This was released in 1991. This quickly became a massive rave anthem, the title tune Infiltrate 202 is still a massive crowd pleasing tune in old skool raves today. By some (lucky) mistake the record managed to get just outside the top 40, and of course Altern8 decided it would be foolish not to try and knock it up few places. Some rubbish about disco biscuits and an air horn was created and The Sun printed it! This of course was enough to tipple the tune into the top 30. However it was the follow up Activ8 which really took off.

Mixing breakbeat, with hardcore rave rhythms and that famous “Top One Nice One Get Sorted” sample, Altern8 produced definitely one of 1991’s best tunes, which probably everyone remembers. It summed up the happy rave scene perfectly in every way. This was then followed up with the hardcore classic Frequency which was reportedly recorded in the famous 2:30 AM rave in Shelly’s car park. Altern8 only produced 10001 copies of this record and allegedly burnt the master tapes. By now Altern8 were a household name (well if you’re front room is full of techno records!). In another dodgy stunt, they decided to decided to distribute free Christmas puddings to the poor from a hot air balloon, all with the words “The Poor Know The Score” on them. However the idea was shelved when someone who was less pissed noted that Christmas puddings arrive like scuds from 2,000 feet in the air!

More publicity, and the ever increasing popularity of rave culture, made sure that the further releases Evapor8 and Hypnotic St8 (sampling the Nexus 21 release Self-Hypnosis) became massive rave tunes. Coupled with more publicity stunts, this saw Altern8 become huge, doing live PAs everywhere!! They also did remixes for the likes of Phuture Assasains, Blow, Inner City, Suburban Base and more. But as some DJ’s slagged off rave for being apparently cheesy, the popularity of rave culture seemed to decrease and it went back underground, which would explain why Altern8’s Brutal-8-E and Everybody took on a less ‘ravey’ feel, being given jungle treatment by Two Bad Mice & Suburban Base. Everybody was Altern8’s last release in 1993.

Check out Mr Nex’s Myspace Page http://www.myspace.com/mrnex

And you can join the Altern 8 Facebook Group here

Up and Comming Altern-8 Gigs

23rd May Derry

29th May Hitchin

30th May Retrosonics, London

31st May Life Festival, Ireland

June – Australia Tour – Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide

20th June – Holland

25th June – Glastonbury

Exclusive 2hr Old Skool Mix  by Altern 8 – Live at The Clarence Sligo 18-4-2009

http://www.sendspace.com/file/wrwsmn

The Acid House wouldlike to thank Alten-8 for providing this exclusive mix and for keeping the Old Skool scene alive and kicking – Top one, Nice 1, Get sorted

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