By John Hood

OOnce upon another tempo, in a very different dance world, a three-piece set of beat-crazed Bay Area blood brothers kicked up a sound storm no one had ever before fathomed.  In those bygone early ‘90s days before EDM, nightclubs basically catered to the lowest common denominator.  As did the record labels who still believed their hegemony would never end.  So, the sound gathered its own momentum.

Without a venue, the trio spun underground raves and warehouse parties that have become legend; without a label, they started their own.

The name of the outfit (and label) was Hardkiss, and the all that of then has returned so the highest common denominator may behold the future of right now.  Read on and reap the Hardkiss interview:

ADANAI: For those who might not know, just what (and who) is Hardkiss?

Gavin Hardkiss: We’re like the original band of DJs.  There were three of us:  Robbie, Scott and me. Sadly, Scott passed away last year.  This was completely heartbreaking on so many levels.  It’s hard to over-emphasize the important impact that Scott had on our Hardkiss identity and the growth of electronic dance music in the U.S.

We started as a ragged group of DJs throwing warehouse parties and magical soirees in San Francisco during the early ’90s.  We’d use the funds from these escapades to buy studio time and equipment to make sound experiments and produce original dance music.  We launched a record label called Hardkiss Music which took our sound global and opened the door to jet set international DJ careers.  This is all at the time when Avicii was in diapers and the MP3 was not yet born.

Living in San Rafael, California, Robbie and I started a new album a few years ago.  Scott had the demos and was working on some remixes when he died.  We were left to finish it without him.  The album, titled “1991,” was released this spring on Hardkiss Music.

Scott’s spirit is still a large part of Hardkiss though, isn’t it?

As much as we tried to make the album sound like it’s from 2014, the emotion and subject matter became more about what we had created together in those early wonder years.  Thus, the title.  You can feel Scott’s spirit throughout but particularly on songs like “Revolution” and “Broken Hearts.”

Scott still has family ties to the label, doesn’t he?

Indeed.  We partnered with Scott’s wife Stephanie to restart the Hardkiss Music record label, which had been dormant for 15 years.  This opens the door to re-release our catalog, which has never been available in digital

Isn’t Scott also there, in track?

Yes.  Scott was working on a remix of the song “Revolution.”  We were able to extract the files from his computer and finish his remix.  This was an incredibly difficult task but I know we got a version that he would be proud of.

Might you say “1991” is at once a tribute to him and to all that the Hardkiss brothers represent to the world of dance?

Well said.  Music is magic.  It has healing power.  Sit with the album from start to finish and you’ll feel it too.  For those that knew Scott, they will recognize it as a tribute.  For those that are entering the Hardkiss world for the first time, they will feel it in a heartfelt way that is relevant to them.

Speaking of representing, what other artists and labels have already chimed in on behalf of “1991”?

“1991” is such a big project, such a big record, that we couldn’t do it all ourselves.  So we partnered with a few labels to release singles.  Siesta Records has released house remixes of “Revolution” by the likes of DJ Spun from Rong, Sleazy McQueen, Adam Warped and Atnarko.

Who else is on tap to do likewise?

Whisky Pickle released remixes of “RetroactiveFuturisticPsychedelicFunkBump” by Q-Burns Abstract Message, James Curd and Hawke.

Isn’t there also some kind of limited edition vinyl version about to rack?

Yes.  We partnered with Uncut Records to release limited edition vinyl of the “1991” album.  Those have been selling out like hotcakes.

Are there any other surprises we need to know about?

Rumor has it that there’s pink vinyl of the Hardkiss remixes of “Revolution” with versions by Scott, Robbie and me.  Alas, this is the last time we’re all on the same record together.

Will Hardkiss be taking “1991” on the road?

June 14 @ The Analog Cafe, Portland, OR [Gavin & Robbie Hardkiss]

June 20 @ Public Works Loft, San Francisco, CA [Gavin & Robbie Hardkiss]

July 12 @ Do Not Sit On The Furniture, Miami Beach, FL [Gavin Hardkiss] (w/ early night album listening party)

August 16 @ Arc Nightclub, Boston, MA [Gavin & Robbie Hardkiss]

How would you suggest dance fans brace for the occasion(s)?

With comfortable shoes, a stiff drink and an adventurous mind.

Check out the Hardkiss album “1991″ here.
Check out Gavin Hardkiss’ Romantic Summer DJ mix here.

 

 

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