Interview with Nekrokick
- Where are you from? What is the music scene like, in the area where you are from?
I was born in Dallas, Texas. I moved to Seattle, Washington in early 2000. Between 2002 and 2010, I performed as a Hardcore DJ at dozens of Seattle area raves, and crowds lost their minds to the 2000’s era Darkcore and Industrial that I was known for. The Seattle electronic music scene is fairly healthy, currently consisting mostly of EDM, House/Tech-House, Drum and Bass, Dubstep and Trap. The current Hardcore scene in Seattle is fantastic for the UK/Upfront/HHC/Freeform styles, but there is not a lot along the lines of Dutch Hardcore, Terror, Industrial, Frenchcore, and the like.
- How did you come up with your DJ Name?
I spent a lot of time under another name, which was very obscure and cryptic. I decided that it was time for a change, and began brainstorming names by drawing logo concepts. I landed on Nekrokick after sketching/drawing while listening to some Industrial Hardcore, and I pretty much got stuck looking at it over and over. I think it fits my writing style and overall sound. Nekro: a stylized spelling of Necro meaning death; and then kick: the primary characteristic element, the kick drum, of the music I make.
3.What animal best personifies your music and why?
Clearly, a Vampire Bat!
Nekrokick1. What are you trying to convey with your music?
Mainly, I just want to convey some bass face. I like to deliver deep, heavy kicks, with tough percussive elements, screaming leads, and pounding dance-centric grooves.
5.Can you describe the feeling you get when you’re on stage?
I get very anxious leading up to the first mix in a set. I have been performing Hardcore music on stage since 2002, but I still get butterflies every time. When I see the crowd reacting to the tracks, its a real rush!
- What moment do you cherish the most so far in your career as a DJ/artist or musician?
Signing with the Hard Electronic / Industrial Strength Records family was definitely the most exciting moment in my production career.
- What was the first song or album that you remember listening too?
Ever? Well, Beastie Boys – License To Ill was the first album I ever owned. My uncle gave it to me on cassette and I literally wore that shit out! haha
For Hardcore? I believe the first Hardcore tunes I ever heard were “Neophyte – Braincracking” and “DJ Skinhead – Extreme Terror (D.O.A. Mix)”
- What are your major influences?
I have always been heavily influenced by my appreciation for several Metal sub-genres, like Black Metal, Death Metal, Deathcore, and such. I also appreciate a lot of the founders of Hardcore music like Lenny Dee, Neophyte, Paul Elstak, DJ Promo, Manu Le Malin, Mark Newlands, Nosferatu, and those people have had a strong influence on my musical tastes. I could name drop for days the Hardcore artists who have inspired me, but I would always feel like I’m leaving someone out. The Jungle of the late 90s up to the current heavy Drum and Bass, from Tech-Step and Hard-Step to the brutal Skull-Step/Tear-out/Pots-n-Pans styles have also held a special place for me in music. I’ve also followed a lot of the Hard-Techno out of Europe for many years, even occasionally performing Techno in Seattle, rather than my typical Hardcore sets.
- Where do you see yourself a year from now?
Mainly, sitting on top of several more successful releases, working with more and more artists that I admire, and continuing to push the limits in hard music.
Affiliations: Industrial Strength / Hard Electronic (USA Extreme Is Everything / Toxic Sickness (UK) Insane Agency (FR)