Grooverider Interview

From his early days on pirate radio and playing underground raves to stints on Radio One and Ministry Of Sound, Grooverider has been influential in House and Drum & Bass for decades. Whether working beside Fabio on the airwaves or playing the biggest parties in the UK, his career is extensive and extraordinary, so we grabbed some time with the man himself to discuss it all.

Hey Groove, how are you?
I’m not too bad, thanks – aside from the hayfever that’s managed to sneak up on me.

Where in the world are you right now?
I’m at home in sunny Surrey, UK, about to mow my lawn… Then into the studio later on.

You went from pirate radio and underground raves in the late ‘80s to the biggest station in the UK, but when would you say your journey to becoming a professional in the music business began?
Well, yes I started on pirate radio – all by accident. I actually had a day job and was DJing at night. I finally got sacked because I was falling asleep at work… I think it got serious when I first started playing at Heaven in the late ‘80s/early ‘90s.

Were there any differences between working at Phase One and Radio One as a result of the legal differences?
Not really, to be honest – that was the beauty of the BBC at the time. A lot of the older stiffs were on their way out and a new set of younger, more on-it management took control, so it was a very relaxed environment. The head at the time was Andy Parfitt – I owe a lot to him….

You’ve been presenting with Fabio since you met at Phase One, and you’re currently working together at Ministry Of Sound Radio; what would you say has kept your partnership alive and current to this day?
What’s kept us alive is the fact we are actually good friends outside of the music game. We can converse about anything and music is just another part of our conversation… I think we have inspired each other since we met and here we are still talking and laughing 25 years later.

Leaving Radio One and entering the world of Ministry Of Sound must have been tough decisions. Have you always agreed upon where to take Fab & Groove?
To be honest, we never really had a major discussion on what to do about being on the radio. There were quite a few offers for us to do various radio projects, but we both knew they were not the right things for us… The opportunity came up to do the Ministry show, we had a meeting and liked what we heard and decided to take the show there.

You’re an icon of House and Drum & Bass, but you’ve previously cited Hip Hop, R&B and Disco as influences; as a young boy, who would you listen to growing up and how did you move onto hardcore Dance genres?
As a child I actually liked genres. Of course urban music was a part, but I also loved Punk, Rock… For what reason, I’m not really sure… Probably because of the anti-Pop message it kind of sent out – I was into being a non-conformist, which I probably still am today…

In terms of live sets, are you going out and playing as much as you used to? Is there still a demand there and are you keen on fulfilling it?
I still play out a lot, but definitely not as much as when I was young… It’s a different time now and the term DJ means something now (you get paid better). Even though it’s not about the money, bills still have to be paid. So I don’t need to run around doing crazy amounts of shows in a night – thankfully.

As someone that has continued to DJ for nearly 30 years, you must have some memories; where have you played that surprised you the most and why?
I think the show that still remains in my mind was the outdoor Biology that took place in Aylesbury in about ‘89 …still remember the visuals, the many thousands that just turned up to rave… And the highlight was Adamski just playing live for hours on end…was amazing.

Where will you be DJing next?
This weekend I’m off to Italy and then back in London on Saturday.

Is there anywhere you always wanted to return to?
Always Australia… I always have a blast there.

Do you prefer clubs in inner city or beside a beach?
I’m not really bothered where – I just like playing.

What’s your choice of beverage while on the decks?
A nice cold apple and blackberry J2O; I’m teetotal, can’t stand the taste or smell of booze.

What’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever eaten?
I’ve tried many things, but the weirdest has got to be crocodile. Tasted like chicken…

Thanks, Groove!

By Charlotte Mellor