Dave Clarke is a UK techno DJ and producer from Brighton, England, born in 1968. He is also known as David Maurice Clarke and uses the aliases Hardcore, Fly By Wire and Directional Force. His work is associated with techno, electro, electronic music, electronica, hardcore techno, club and dance.

Career

Clarke first appears on record with Hardcore’s single I Like John in 1990 on XL. He later releases the album Dave Clarke Presents Remixes & Rarities 1992-2005 on Music Man in 2006. He is widely regarded as a techno and electro DJ, and is often described as an outsider figure within the scene.

Associations and radio work

In 1993, Clarke becomes involved in the early development of Daft Punk after Thomas Bangalter and Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo approach him and Stuart McMillan, co-founder of Soma, and present a demo tape. This leads to Daft Punk’s The New Wave in 1994 on Soma.

He also shares commentary and insight on radio in the UK, Belgium, Turkey and the Netherlands, including work for 3VOOR12’s Whitenoise.

Reputation

Clarke is often given the nickname “the Baron of Techno”. His background is described as including a difficult childhood in the 1980s, and he is known for a tense relationship with the media.