Interview with Trancentral’s DJ Orange Peel

August 18th, 1998

Interview with DJ Orange Peel

T-zero - Though the “dirty” London acid sound has been out for awhile now, I think many people in the US are just starting to open up to it…with tours in North America this year from dj/producers like the Liberators, Choci, DDR, and Rowland the Bastard as well as big, over-seas plans for many others (including you probably), it seems obvious that UK acid trance is more popular than ever.
Though it is easily still an underground sound here, much of the positive publicity that has reached our shores concerning this music comes in response to a release with your mix on it. The appearance of last year’s double cd release from Mutant Sound System (a division of Paradigm Entertainment) entitled “London Acid City” featured a mix by you and widely publicized many acid labels like Smitten, Havok, and your own imprint, Organgrinder at radio stations all over the country. How did you get the opportunity to mix and release “London Acid City”? Orange Peel - The opportunity came via our publishing company who have excellent contacts in the states. We figured it wasn’t a big jump from rock guitars to distorted 303s and that it would go down well in the USA. We had feedback from the Liberators et al who told us it was kicking off big time over there.
T-zero - In addition, you continue to promote and hold a residency at Trancentral, which has been stomping out wicked ‘avin it dance parties for more than 2 years Orange Peel - now 4 years! (check the website for some pics and upcoming info at http://www.overscan.demon.co.uk/trance.html.

T-zero - The party has moved locations a bit, and like a lot of the parties here in the US, has had its share of “lawful” intervention, from imposing sniffer dogs to conducting blatant and inappropriate police actions. What is the situation like regarding police intervention at club parties in London currently? How is it different from underground parties at private locations? Orange Peel - It really varies widely in London. I f you hire out an established licensed venue you should be OK, but legal clubs do get raided occasionally. You are much more at risk on the squat / free-party scene, where the police play a game of cat’n'mouse with the sound systems, where the police will try and stop any party from starting in the first place. Often once a party is underway with a few hundred people there, the police will allow it to go on to avoid further trouble, although they will try to prevent others from entering. It’s a lottery really, it all depends on which police force you’re dealing with, what attitudes people take etc. It’s a battle, but parties go on every weekend regardless.

T-zero - What factor(s) in your opinion has/have been vital to Trancentral’s extended success? Orange Peel - When we started out we had a lot of good friends behind us helping out and putting their energy into the parties. We created a good buzz about it straight away, a kind of extended family and friends thing which has grown and grown, but the same people have always been there, so the original vibe is retained. We have a really faithful membership and a great regular crowd, who will always support us. We have always chosen DJs who can play well regardless of fame. Myself and Zebedee have built up a great reputation and following over the years from being resident DJs since the beginning, which is so rewarding in itself. People come because they know we will play and that the guests will always be the best at their job. Our line ups are always really strong. Since the start Trancentral has been a journey, from place to place, always growing, going from strength to strength. It never gets stale, boring or repetitive, and I think people respect us for that, for always striving to offer more.

T-zero - What plans are there for Trancentral parties now and in the future? Any plans for you or any of the rest to visit the USA anytime soon? Orange Peel - Well as I right this, it’s 1am on wednesday and we start at a new venue this friday after a two month break. The new place is 1200 capacity over 4 rooms, whereas the last place was 800 in two, but we know we can take this step OK, we have a big enough following. We’re really excited about it, 4 rooms gives us much more scope to put on different DJs and other attractions.
(Later) We got 1100 people in and had a 100% successful night. We are always looking for opportunities elsewhere. We do nights with other clubs outside London occasionally and are planning some big events for later in the year, quite possibly for New Years Eve!
As far as goin to the USA goes, no we have no plans to, but if anyone wants to ask please do! We are friends with the Liberators, DDR, Rowland, the Smitten boys etc. so we’ve heard all about their adventures. It sounds like acid trance and techno are getting really popular out there. The parties sound great over there, it’d be great to DJ there one day…..

T-zero - What’s new with your label Organgrinder? Can you give us a list of upcoming releases or any news about compilations, full-lengths, etc…? We have been playing your “White Label Singles” release and the one that intros with the drum’n'bass sequence and the rolling bassline has folks mighty interested…what’s next?? Orange Peel - Organgrinder was put on temporary hold for a while after no.9, partly because we had problems with our original distribution deal and we had to give our time to Trancentral and a few other projects. There is loads of good material imminent, from people like Lawrie Immersion, Geezer, Gizelle, Audio Pancake etc. Organgrinder 10 is being cut as we speak, so watch this space! I’m glad you liked the “drum’n'bass” one, that was my first solo release! love breakbeats and used a lot of old skool infuences on that one. I think future stuff from the label will be more techno-y than that one.

T-zero - Could you provide us with a list of some of your releases? Where is the best location to get them?
Orange Peel - Organgrinder releases:
Organ 001 - Dogs On Rope - “Acid Boom / Prozac Nation”
Organ 002 - DJ Zebedee / DJ Orange Peel - “Weirdo Magnet / Citric Acid”
Organ 003 - Skank / Deviance
Organ 004 - Geezer - “Resistor / Gurning”
Organ 005 - Deviance / Skank
Organ 006 - Shaft Punk - “Squat Rock”
Organ 007 - Dogs On Rope / Kids On Drugs - “Buzzsaw / Buzzsaw Remix”
Organ 008 - Geezer - “Sheet Acid EP”
Organ 009 - DJ Orange Peel - “Crackhead / Chemical Warfare”
Try Infectious Distribution, +44 171 323 6911 (Ask for Rowland or Mark , and yes it’s THAT Rowland!)
Other:
21-3 Recs: DJ Orange Peel & Tristan - “Citris”

T-zero - What release that you’ve composed do you feel is most successful? Why? Orange Peel - I’m not exactly prolific! Crackhead has been well received, people like the use of breakbeats and bass in a trance / techno arrangement. I’m much better known for my mixtapes! We are setting up other labels and I have studio time booked, so watch this space…….

T-Zero - At the moment, what piece of gear gets you most inspired to compose more music? If its the 303, which is your second favorite and why? Orange Peel - I hate to be predictable. but where would we be without a 909?

T-zero - Could you give us some of your current toppers (favorite tunes)?
Orange Peel - Sure no problem, here’s a top 5:
1 Sentience “Full Blown EP 2″ (Sentience) Full on acid trance with “break the system down” sample.
2 D-Beat (white label) hard, dark acid trance with mad sirens and acid
3 Razor’s Edge “The Tuning” (Metropolitan Music 35) full on bangin’ trance
4 Marino Stephano “Vision Control” (Fog Area) Devastating German trance
5 Steve Austin “20% Suck” (AIM) kickin’ tranced up hard house with old skool breakbeats and synths - wicked!!

T-zero - Who are some of your favorite producers? Why? Orange Peel - All the acid techno mafia, they’ve developed a whol new sound: DAVE the Drummer, The Liberators, DDR, The Geezer, Karl (Audio Pancake), Rowland the Bastard etc. Others: Pablo Gargano (Eve, Telica etc), DJ Oberon (Chug’n'Bump)

Tzero - In the most recent psy/acid trancemag Dream Creation, you review the Pissed Ups on C.O.S.H.H. and you rank them #2 in your top ten, what’s so interesting to you about this tech-punk stuff? Orange Peel - It’s good to see a bit of humour in techno, it’s too serious much of the time. Also, everyone recognises the tracks from the original and goes crazy.

T-zero - What label in your view (other than your own) excites you most about the future of acid trance? Orange Peel - I couldn’t name just one, but check out: Mind Over Matter, Alien Trax, Telica, Infected….

T-zero - How did the alias “Orange Peel” originate? Orange Peel - There’s a UK TV show called the Young Ones, with a hippy called Niel (I’m Niall) and one of the others memorably said “Niel, Niel, Orange Peel, when will I see you again?” Thus when I got my 1210s it was like “Ha!! You must be DJ Orange Peel now!” and sure enough I was….

T-zero - Anything else you want to tell us??? Orange Peel - I’ve been DJing for 10 years and would like to come to the USA to play!

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