Technical Itch

Technical Itch is the recording name of UK drum and bass producer Mark Caro, originally based in Birmingham and later relocating to Bristol, United Kingdom. His work sits within drum and bass and techstep, with a strong focus on hard, dense and dark textures. He is also associated with the aliases Secret Methods and Mark Caro, and appears in collaborations and projects including Decoder, Sol Invicto, Smut and Technical Freaks.

Early work and first releases

Caro begins producing in 1991 with a very limited setup while DJing at local parties in Birmingham. Early material appears under the name ENTT on Ibiza Records, and he then works with Darren Beale, also known as Decoder, on the first Plasmic Life EP for Bizzy B's Brain imprint. The pair are connected with the underground warehouse scene, and their combination of Caro's production and Beale's musicianship becomes a recurring feature of Technical Itch's output and DJ sets.

Technical Itch's early Moving Shadow releases include Can't You See, followed by The Dreamer, which is remixed by Future Forces. Another release, The Virus, is remixed by Danny Breaks, and Stronghold includes a Dom & Roland remix. These recordings are co-produced and engineered by Decoder. Caro also contributes the track Input to Breakbeat Sampler Vol. 1 on Breakbeat Culture.

Labels and aliases

Caro sets up his own label, Tech(nical) Itch Recordings, and later establishes Penetration Records in 2001. Penetration Records issues a number of known tracks including Soldiers, The Rukus and The Green. Technical Itch also releases music through Moving Shadow after attention from Kenny Ken's radio play on Kiss FM and support from Omni Trio, who introduces him to the Moving Shadow team. His catalogue also includes releases under Secret Methods, including Secret Methods Vol. 1, which sells out in its first week.

Collaborations and later projects

Technical Itch works closely with Decoder on releases such as Red Box and EKO on Tech Itch Recordings, and the pair perform together as a duo, either back to back or in straight sets. He also contributes production work with Decoder to Peshay's album for Mo Wax, along with various remixes for major labels. In 2008, Caro relocates to Los Angeles and begins a multi-genre album project with producer and composer Shok, known for Zeitmahl and ex-TKK. That project features vocals from Douglas McCarthy of Nitzer Ebb, Daniel Ash of Bauhaus and Love and Rockets, among others.

Style and reputation

Technical Itch is identified with the harder end of drum and bass, developing a dark and heavy sound. His productions are described through their dense atmosphere, heavy beats and bass-led impact, and he becomes closely associated with the Bristol bass scene as well as the experimental dark side of drum and bass.