IDM Mailing Archive

O.K. guys, due to popular demand, here's the Drexcia interview from the "Orbit" section of the Jan. 14, 1995 Melody Maker (reprinted without permission, of course). -- The Unknown Aquazone -------------------- The release of Chapter Five in the much sought-after Drexcia series is one of the most anticipated releases of the year. Dave Mothersole is granted a rare ear-bashing from the Detroit team. Drexcia are not your normal techno act. Having been together for some 10 years, they've released just five records. Fiercely independent and highly opinionated, they're the ultimate perfectionists, working in total secrecy, concealing their identities and discreetly putting out some of the most outstanding, unusual, beautiful and disturbing electronic music ever committed to vinyl. Their "Journey Home EP", out this week on Warp, has already been hailed as one of the most important releases of the Nineties. In a rare interview, one half of Drexcia, James - he wouldn't reveal his second name - talks about techno, DJing, the Drexcia philosophy and the fight against the "Caucasian persuasion". Off To Battle ------------- "As far as I'm concerned, there isn't anybody out there making original Detroit techno - apart from us, and that's not being arrogant. It's a plain and simple fact. A lot of people making so-called techno don't understand where it came from and what it's all about. I know this stuff; I've been doing it for a long time. I've been with the real deal, in the trenches, since this shit was born out of the womb. But so many people have come in and stepped over the name of original techno and toned it down. And that's why were here: it's time to turn up the heat." 'The Caucasian Persuasion' -------------------------- "Ever since the blues and early jazz, black music has been stolen and exploited. It pisses me off that we let it happen. It's a political thing; everybody talks about it under their breath, but they don't come out and say anything about it. As far as I'm concerned, Richie Hawtin, Moby, and all the rest of 'em can do what they want, but don't step into my house if you don't respect it. Don't even call what you do 'techno'! I don't want to hear anybody saying Richie started any damned thing, 'cos he ain't started shit. All he did was step in with his money and his Caucasian persuasion and put himself on the market, and now he's got all these kids riding his jock. We never had rich backgrounds; we were working jobs for $4.25 an hour. Our mamas never gave us money to buy keyboards and put records out. We work for our stuff. That's why there's a big difference in the music. "Why do Richie and his Plus 8 family come down here and throw parties in downtown Detroit? He brings in all these kids from the suburbs and from Canada, and that shows a lack of respect. I've been to every one of those parties and I've never heard an Underground Resistance record, a Cybertron record, a Model 500 record or an Eddie Fowlkes record. It's a total lack of respect, and it's got to stop." DJ Hype ------- "Only guys like Leon and Jeff Mills know how to spin. Serious, man, you have DJs who mix sound like a galloping horse. Give 'em a record that doesn't have a 4/4 beat and they can't handle it; their fingers get all tied up and they get all confused. C'mon, you gotta know those records. You got to have quick reflexes and make that record talk. Make those turntables work; you got to see smoke coming off those suckers. These guys fly around the world and people call 'em geniuses, and they don't even warm those decks up - they're still cold after a whole night. They're just fader flippers." Deep Sea Dwellers - The Drexcia Philosophy ------------------------------------------ "The reason why we give alot of our tracks aquatic titles is because waves are constantly changing. It moves in so many different directions, and that's the way we see our music. It doesn't go straight forward. It takes you on an adventure. We record all our stuff live. You have to capture that moment, that spirit, that energy. We could never recreate one of our records. Every Drexcia record is different. We're dealing with your personality, your emotions. We try to get you to open your mind up and listen to the sounds, and hopefully then you can paint a picture in your mind. That's what it's all about." Drexcia 5, 'The Journey Home EP', is out now on Warp. -- So there you have it, IDM'ers, the confrontational and controversial Drexcia. One question, though. Who's that Leon guy mentioned along with Jeff Mills? Anyone know? - Matthew

you really have to take all that with a grain of salt ... When I interviewed James, I didn't even bring it up ... although we talked about Richard James and Rephlex without degradating anyone. I think James is just tired of all of the Europeans and European-Americans getting all the props and press. Some of these folks deserve it, some don't. However, James would do well to continue what he and Drexciya are doing: the recognition will follow. I don't want to stri things up here, but those that are offended SHOULD listen to what he was saying, and filter through the venom (and the fact that the last two Drexciya records were released on Caucasian-owned labels.). To put this in perspective, listen to Mad Mike: his views on race & techno are much more down-to-earth, and Mike has never let his dream become dressed up in the money and hyperbole of the UK labels and press. ... my two cents.... er, pence rather. - reverb

here here. :) jason On Tue, 17 Jan 1995, Reverb Magazine wrote:

quoted 20 lines you really have to take all that with a grain of salt ... When I interviewed

> you really have to take all that with a grain of salt ... When I interviewed > James, I didn't even bring it up ... although we talked about Richard James > and Rephlex without degradating anyone. > > I think James is just tired of all of the Europeans and European-Americans > getting all the props and press. Some of these folks deserve it, some don't. > However, James would do well to continue what he and Drexciya are doing: > the recognition will follow. I don't want to stri things up here, but > those that are offended SHOULD listen to what he was saying, and filter > through the venom (and the fact that the last two Drexciya records were > released on Caucasian-owned labels.). > > To put this in perspective, listen to Mad Mike: his views on race & techno are > much more down-to-earth, and Mike has never let his dream become dressed up > in the money and hyperbole of the UK labels and press. > > ... my two cents.... er, pence rather. > > - reverb >