D.A.V.E. The Drummer

D.A.V.E. The Drummer

D.A.V.E. The Drummer is a techno and acid techno artist who has been releasing records since 1994. He begins with studio sessions above a pub in Deptford with the Liberator DJs and goes on to make a large number of underground releases across techno, acid and harder club-oriented styles.

Releases and labels

His catalogue includes club tracks such as “One Night in Hackney”, issued on S.U.F. Records with Chris Liberator; “Hydraulix 09” on his Hydraulix label; “Cradle Cap” on Apex; “Soul Image” on Riot Recordings with B.K.; and “The Human Animal” on Chris Liebing’s Fine Audio Recordings. He also runs the label Mutate to Survive, which is distributed by Intergroove in Germany.

Aliases and collaborations

He records under other names including Henry Cullen, Strobe, CO-AX and Secret Hero. He also works with a range of studio partners under different project names, including Chris Liberator in Halo and Dynamo City, Lawrie Immersion in Pounding Grooves and Kektex, John Truelove in The Source, Kris Needs in Rozzers Dog and Secret Knowledge, Anderson Noise in Noisemusic, Marco Lenzi in XX2 and Nils Hess in Reck. He also makes minimal and tech house work with Shaun King, Pattrix, Nils Hess and Anderson Noise.

Style and activity

His sound starts in the rough acid style of the London underground and later moves towards a more polished techno groove. He plays internationally and is a regular visitor to South America, Japan, Australia, Canada and much of Europe, with residences in Brazil. He has a reputation as a reliable turntablist with original DJ skills.

Labels and recognition

Mutate to Survive reaches attention from DJs including Misjah, The Youngsters, Stanny Frannsen and Calvertron. His work appears on labels and imprints connected to the London techno and acid scene, including Hydraulix, Apex, Riot Recordings, Fine Audio Recordings and S.U.F. Records.