Page 23 - Zone Magazine Issue 008

_________________________________________________
Is it just techno that floats you boat, or do you dabble in other styles?
No Paul I do have another side name Code Breaker which I used to make tech trance, kind of the more techno trance stuff. Of course one of my biggest friends and influences is Andreas Kraemer. That man deserves huge respect - he helped shape the whole dance movement back in the 90’s with his many aliases...AKATO, Al-Faris & The Pagemaster, Andreas Krämer & Kay D. Smith, Andreas Krämer & Thomas Pogadl, Aquaplex, Blade Attack, Circle Sun, Club Quake, Composure, Deep Space Project, Deluxe DJ Team, Digital DNA, Digital Ghosts, Dream Solution, Gate One Rockers, Icebreaker, J.P. vs. Allstars, Junk Project, Koys, Kraemer & Niereich, Latex (3), Odyssey Of Light, P.G.L., Phuture Punk, Recapture, Rockshock, Rough & Smart, Russenmafia, S.O.D., Schwarze Puppen, Skysurfer, Solid Sleep, Soulfighter, Sudden Death, Surface (2), Tetra Pack, The Pagemaster, The Pressure (3), Thomas Rubin, Thosak, Three Kings, Tokyo, Tubes & Farmer, V.O.O.D.I. Traxx, Vatos Locos Bros., Wild Rockaz.
Most notably Aquaplex and Junk Project - you only have to type in You tube to see the genius of the man. Once you recognize all those great hits and whom was behind them a truly unique and great man Andreas Kraemer .
You kmow coming from my back grounding in the early nineties I have always liked things a bit dark and epic in both the trance elements and techno . For sure, the last ten years has all been about the techno but it is still there and I often have a few drinks listening to YouTube with lots of old classics on Noom Records, Time unlimited Nostrum and the likes of them. Like I said back in the day it was all techno trance to us we didn’t know any different as teenagers its nice to go back in time now and the to refresh the mind and soul a bit. On the plus side, there is always an idea that may pop up.
My other love is the slower progressive tribal stuff, or deep techno as it is called today. These sets are great because you can build a nice journey ebbing and flowing keeping that constant funk throwing shapes all over the place loosing yourself.
Other stuff now and then you got to have a bit of drum and bass, I don’t play it and never will but I do enjoy a good bit of that now and then.
Best night & Worst night ever?
The best night well there have been many and many of disasters to one of my favorites was the North Radical Birthday back in the day back to back with DJ Vortex and the infamous MC Ribbz. Ribbz is not one of those annoying MC’s. He is more of a host mc with an incredible voice that sends shivers down your spine - he is incredible, I miss working with him, A true unique genius.
That club was on fire that night packed to the rafters incredible vibes that really was when you knew you were amongst the premier league of UK underground elite of DJ’s. Cars would pass me in the street at home and you would hear Ribbz voice flying out the windows with your set blasting out along with many others like Mark EG. It was strange feeling but they were fantastic times in my early years playing North Radical was 100 % adrenalin rush.
Another was at the welsh music awards in Cardiff where I was awarded best upcoming DJ. My award was given to me by none other than Mr Howard Marks. He is great and a legend round here, we went off to play Evolution with 3000 people crammed in. I remember it well it was Judge Jules, Graham Gold, Rob Tisserra Me and Jimpy . Incredible scenes - Howard stayed with me most of the night, he even came in the DJ booth to watch me play and said some words to me I will never forget, “ I like these tunes John they sound like my biscuit tin being thrown down the stairs “ I still bump into him from time to time on the circuit.
Favourite Club?
DC10 For me.
Super club /Festival or small intimate party?
Space of course, Awakenings oh and Sound Traffik Carnival, Lithuania - amazing scenes .
Strangest experience in the club scene you witnessed?
Oh my god well where do I start?! I seem to attract randomness - jeez the worst I will not share as I could not talk easy about it as it was a fatal incident, but many funny times. After an event in Bristol I was rushed off to an Illegal rave in a warehouse. These were crazy times, the gates were heavily guarded by yardies and well it was well organized chaos let me just say that, ha ha. Once up on the decks the place was that dark it was like that old cartoon ‘Trap Door’. Eyes everywhere, that’s all you could see dying for wee I ran behind a wall only to find a women breast feeding a baby and 2 Blokes having sex with each other on the other side. Very bizarre, I just zipped up and carried on playing ha ha. Crack on son. Another was I was in London and we went outside for a smoke, I remember saying tomypalwhomthehellhascometoaclubona unicycle? It was there chained to the lamppost just outside, we thought crazy until we met what only could be described as Shamus (the wooden pirate from family guy).
He was on cloud nine surely enjoying himself to which he shocked us all, he pulled out his penis and proceeded to urinate down my pals left leg. That’s enough of that, we thought and he was launched from the premises.
Upon leaving the club we were stuck in traffic in a cab trying to make the station. ‘What is the holdup?’ we thought. Sure enough there he was, Shamus the wooden pirate from family guy lookalike, riding a unicycle in the middle of the road naked on about 15 pills (and whatever else) holding all the traffic up!! I’ve seen many strange things in 20 years of raves for shits and giggles. But the best thing will always be that simple smile on people’s faces enjoying your music now THAT is priceless.
Connect:
http://www.jon-connor.com/
Words By Paul Newhouse
Pics By Jason Edwards & Jon Connor
_________________________________________________
" My two Technics 1200’s here will go to the grave with me.
However as hard as it is, sometimes we must move forward and embrace new technology too. "
ESSENTIALDANCEMUSIC 23