Tom Neville is a name that should be familiar to many of you for one reason for another. As part of the Ignition Crew, he rocked Bar Riot! on a regular occasion, supplementing the main room toughness with the phattest funked-up beats money could buy, and went from their to achieve worldwide fame with his solo production and dj career.
After the massive success of his filthy ‘Just Fuck’ and his remix of Studio B’s ‘I See Girls’, Tom virtually became a household name. With a slew of stunning releases since then, he’s worked his way to the top of the electro/house pile and is now more in-demand than ever. His dj sets are pretty damn hot too, as the crowd at Push will see this Sunday 16th July . . .
Who first turned you onto dance music?
First it was The Prodigy. Then my sister’s boyfriend at the time had an ‘Amnesia’ tape pack of hardcore with the likes of Ratty and Slipmatt. It was full of dark jungle hardcore and I copied every tape and was hooked from then on. I was 14 at the time.
Did you always have aspirations to make it as a dj/producer, or did you start more for a bit of fun?
I started doing it because I got so into it. I couldn’t not do it. It was an addiction. I didn’t ever think it could become a career, I just wanted to write music and play records in front of people.
You used to be part of the Ignition Crew alongside Tom Real and King Roc, playing in the Bar Room at Riot!’s parties at The End for many a year. How did you meet these guys in the first place?
I knew King Roc from school and later met Tom when we came up to London and started djing in clubs.
What were your initial thoughts when you found out you would be playing at a Sunday afternoon event?
I thought ‘Must bring my crash helmet, it’s probably going to be messy’. Sunday parties are usual pretty dangerous, that’s why I’ve always loved them!
Back in those Riot! days you were more known for your chunky, funky house sounds, whereas now you are more on an electro/tech tip. Was there a particular turning point when you decided that you wanted to filth things up a bit?
Just before I wrote ‘Just Fuck’ I got a bit bored of that sound and wanted to try something a little different. I’ve always been influenced by rock, drum and bass and techno so I wanted to write something with a more grit in it.
When did you first start producing? What was the first track you made and was it any good?
I started producing when I was 16 and I can’t remember the name of the first track I wrote but I can guarantee that it was utter shite. I remember loving it though — ignorance is bliss!
Your massive ‘Just Fuck’ sounded like Daft Punk at their nastiest, and won acclaim throughout the dance music world. Did you know you were onto a winner when you made it?
I had no idea it would take off in the way it did, I wasn’t sure if anyone else would like it because it wasn’t funky house. I knew that I liked it and that was all that mattered.
Your remix of Studio B’s ‘I See Girls’ was also one of the biggest tracks of last year. Were you pleased with how that one turned out?
That was a bit of a shock because I did the remix about 4 years ago for Multiply. Multiply went down shortly afterwards and it drifted around for ages before it picked up momentum and was signed by Ministry. So when it blew up I was quite freaked out because everyone had pretty much ignored it when I first wrote it.
What have you been cooking up in the studio recently? What kind of sounds are coming through in your music?
I’ve have been working on new Tom Neville stuff as well as some other projects with vocalists. I’m also in the middle of a Spektrum remix. There are much darker and more twisted sounds coming out of my studio at the moment.
What’s the deal with your LoveMinusZero label?
It was initially a platform to release all the spare tracks I had floating around that I wanted on vinyl. Then people started sending me wicked unsigned tracks so I’ve started to sign stuff as well. Next up on the label is a side project I’m doing with Gower Ramsey (from Bones & Ramsey) — to be released in September. I’ve got some storming tracks from Tommy Four Seven as well as Chaim from Israel. Not forgetting some new Tom Neville stuff, all due out this year.
You are playing at The Whitehouse this Sunday 16th July for Push, a night that has been getting better and better over the last few months. What kind of gear will you be serving up on the decks on this sunny Sunday avo?
Plenty of filth.
You have a lot of history with Clapham, what with your former residency at Inigo. Why do you think it became such a vibrant area for nightlife (and afternoonlife!)?
It was the area that first embraced the new bar/club culture. Starting off with the Dogstar in Brixton, Inigo followed suit. I think because it’s a little way out of town people were more up for going to something smaller with a more intimate vibe rather than going to a big club in the centre of town. Or it could just be the secret Sunday rave-a-thon drug that Lambeth Council put in the water.
What else is going on for you this summer? Do you have any big festivals coming up for you?
I’m going to Ibiza a few times, as well as playing at Global Gathering and a festival in the Ukraine. I’ve also got loads of studio work booked in.
And what about relaxation? Are you going to get much time to yourself to chill out over this busy season?
Um not really. I’m stealing as few days surfing in France at the beginning of August. I’m quite happy writing tunes and playing records though!
Photos courtesy of Tom Neville. Not to be reproduced without permission.
After our last dirty PUSH event which featured Shane Watcha, Ninja Cowboys & Deepgroove. We go all out this time and PUSH for even filthier heights with two of the scenes most revered pioneers. Tom Neville & Tim Sherdian are without doubt 'the!' torchbearers of the dirty house sound and over the years have carried the infectious filth global and can truly be named amongst the scenes godfathers.
Rarely seen together, and with the terrace being hosted by PUNCHFUNK! this is your chance to get sssseriously dirty! with a full on party crowd in an intimate sunday session. Dont miss it!
From: Danny Gilliganon 12th Jul 2006 16:20.59 Long time no see Tom! Hope your well, certainly seems like you are enjoying life mate.
From: benzon 12th Jul 2006 17:49.24 what a legend! check out his remix of King Roc's "The Tip" for one of the dirtiest fucking tracks around!
From: minimooon 12th Jul 2006 20:44.27 Awesome read, have loved Tom since Riot days and followed his stuff since. Well done babe, you make filth at its naughtiest
From: Lunar chicon 13th Jul 2006 03:27.52 'Just Fuck' was one of my top tunes for ages! Didn't realise it was your own vocal, wicked stuff babe, keep it up!
From: onthebasson 13th Jul 2006 12:41.24 Nice one Tom. Has been great to witness your music career over the years and to see it take off like it did a couple of years ago is wonderful. You deserve all the credit you get mate Look forward to seeing you and Annabel out in Oz again soon.
From: Mariaon 13th Jul 2006 14:12.55 Interesting interview! Love your music. See you on Sunday at Push!
From: Type 1on 13th Jul 2006 17:13.13 blast from the past! long time no see! glad its all good!
From: Jay.....on 14th Jul 2006 11:15.17 his remix of the tip is absolutely excellent.
From: *antixa*on 14th Jul 2006 14:18.48 Saw him in Cape Town...just couldn't help myself singing along to just F*CK, was a killer eve!
From: Princess Leeon 15th Jul 2006 21:42.47 Tom Neville rawks.
From: malikstaon 16th Jul 2006 01:18.55 Mr Neville.
I hope all is well. Last time I saw you we were having tequila shots at the white house. he he he
ROCK PUSH, catch ya in august sometime.
maliksta
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Look forward to seeing you and Annabel out in Oz again soon.