The Gabber Elders

For our second blog post, the Gabber Elders talk about why we are hardcore, or why we chose hardcore for our main music genre. 

DJ ASYLUM

Why am I Hardcore? It’s better than being Softcore. I’m Hardcore ‘cos when my grandchildren gather round the fireplace with me and ask me to sing them a song from my youth… (*clears throat):

“Fuck Off.  Cuntface. Yes, it is actually. Aaaaaggghhh!”

NIKAJ

I listen to a wide range of music, but I’ve always had a strong connection to the harder styles. Whether it’s Hip Hop or Rap—where I really relate to artists like Tim Dog or groups such as T.O.R.N.T.S. from Australia—or heavier genres in general, I see all of this as part of what Hardcore represents to me. In metal, I’m usually drawn to the more extreme styles like Death Metal, Grindcore, and Powerviolence, with bands such as Bolt Thrower, Repulsion, and Agoraphobic Nosebleed being strong examples. When it comes to electronic music, I also lean toward the harder core styles, especially producers like Marc N and Hellfish. That said, I can absolutely enjoy softer music too—especially when it has strong vocals and a lot of atmosphere. For me, Hardcore isn’t just about sound. It’s also about a DIY attitude: music that stands for something, is made with passion, and isn’t created to fit into the mainstream industry.

LOW ENTROPY

What I’ve always liked about Hardcore is that it’s super dark, twisted, “extreme” music, but at the same time, the genre does not take its own ‘mythology’ too seriously. So, you have funny little devils or jesters as cover art, something that does not seem that evil, right? Unlike other genres in extreme rock or industrial, which are cool, too, but eventually there are a lot of types now that think they are really evil badmen if they enjoy this type of music. Hardcore & Gabber are the genres for weirdos, nerds, or wise cracking street smart heads. Who can still be super tuff and spikey, punk snotty, at the same time. So, I guess it’s a better outlet for “negative” or unwanted emotions and art than a lot of other venues.

GABBERGIRL

I am hardcore ‘cuz I was raised a feral and free child of the 80’s, true Generation X style of growing up in woods and ditches, collecting slugs, riding my bike sunup to sundown, climbing trees, picking knee scabs. I grew up in Minnesota—where winter lasts six months and snow can reach the roof, and the rest of the year is dominated by mud, bugs, beer, thunderstorms, tornados, gabber squirrels, extreme heat, humidity, Hardcore, and 3 nice days/year.  I stay hardcore by jumping in frozen lakes and eating rocks for breakfast.

GabberGirl says, “I hope to help spark a life-long love of music in others by showing them how provocative and profound music can be. If listeners turn away from the the light, cookie-cutter pop offerings of mainstream music, and reach far and wide, they will find the extraordinary stuff. But if they don’t have time for that deep dive, that’s what I’m here for– to guide them to the goodies.”

DJ Asylum says, “I DJ because I love making two or three separate tracks sound like a new track, blending in the best bits of your favourite tracks. It always keeps me listening to new music, too, and there’s a ritualistic thing about doing all the prep work that goes along with it. Then there’s the whole accomplishment of spinning a good set. I’m always kept motivated when the troops are engaging with me on a set, too.”

NIKAJ says, “To explore the possibilities of music and discover how far I can expand beyond its boundaries. First of all, I like doing it, and after 32 years, I still try to improve myself in terms of skills and being creative in track-listing. It has to be a mixture of forgotten great tunes from the past, a few classics, and new music which is great and needs promotion”

Low Entropy says, “”There are so many brilliant artists out there, brilliant tunes, brilliant minds… and by DJing, one is able to pass that on, pass it to others, to a crowd, and when the crowd gets wild, or spirited… then the circuit of transmission is completed!”

Guest DJ Bohemian says, “It’s a creative output for me. To put musical puzzle pieces together for my own and others’ pleasure. Selecting pieces of art, old or new, big artists or more unknown, and mixing them together gives me joy and pleasure.”