Dj Mad Dog

Dj Mad Dog

Dj Mad Dog is the hardcore project of Filippo Calcagni, a DJ and producer from Rome. He begins DJing in the mid-1990s and first works with two friends, an MC and a DJ, in the crew Hardcore Terrorists. That group gains a strong local following in Rome through live performances and the organisation of hardcore events.

Hardcore Terrorists and Rome scene

Hardcore Terrorists make their live debut at Qube in Rome in 1996. The crew then continues to perform and to promote hardcore parties in the city. In 1997, Filippo and his collaborators join with other local acts, including Impulse Factory, 3 Village and DJ Geppo, to form Gabbers Roma, an attempt to strengthen the hardcore movement in the capital. The collective later dissolves, but before that Hardcore Terrorists release Try to Make It Harder on Traxtorm Records in collaboration with Impulse Factory and Three Village.

Radio work, raves and early productions

In 1998, Hardcore Terrorists continue to organise parties in Rome. A major point in their development is the Pronto Soccorso Rave, described as a large event for the city’s hardcore audience. After that, the group gets a radio programme hosted by Filippo and his MC, which helps establish their reputation in Rome. They also organise Odissea 2001 at La Fiera di Roma. During this period, Filippo produces hardcore tracks that appear on the compilations Traxtorm Power 2000 and Always Hardcore 7.

Dj Mad Dog

By the summer of 2000, Filippo decides to focus on production and leaves Hardcore Terrorists to start Dj Mad Dog. The project is associated with hardcore, gabber, mainstream hardcore and hardcore techno.