There's something invigorating about a birthday. Perhaps it's the evocation of new life, or the way everybody makes your tea and feeds you biscuits for the day. It's easy to feel a little special on the date we celebrate our squalling arrival into this world.
One who was probably born standing up and demanding bitty is veteran raver D.A.V.E. the Drummer, aka Dr. Octopus, aka Techno Itch aka the more prosaic Henry Cullen.
Our 'Enry is part of a particularly strong line up for the three roomed extravaganza on Saturday May 2 which includes Trade legend Pete Wardman, hard as nails don Andy Farley and Greek god Axel Karakasis in the Main Room.
In Room 2 is everybody's favourite crested media mogul Jonty Skrufff and more while room three is an eclectic mash up circus.
This theme of inclusive hedonism is oft repeated thruout Henry's career as a progenitor of this scene. First coming to prominence as the rhythmic engine of squat dub/punk band Back To The Planet , he progressed to more sleek techno creations such as the Chris Liberator collaboration 'One Night In Hackney', 'Cradle Cap' and 'The Human Animal' on Chris Liebing's Fine Audio Recordings.
We wanted to have a chat to find out where to now but the poor lamb (below) was suffering from tonsillitis. Luckily that didn't affect his ability to type - read on for an eloquent rant about why Brazil is ótimo and where not to go out in Kent.
D.A.V.E. the Drummer
www.clubtickets.com: What does D.A.V. E. stand for?
Henry: unfortunately nothing , it's just a nickname I got many years ago. "D.runk. A.nd V.aguely E.ntertaining" was the best explanation i heard.
www.clubtickets.com: Age?
Henry: 5000 (older than yoda )
www.clubtickets.com: How are the tonsils?
Henry: still there at the back of my throat where they belong. but better thanks.
www.clubtickets.com: How compatible is clubbing with healthy living?
Henry: ooh very...... late nights , alcohol , cigarettes , drugs .. I'm thinking of opening the world first clubbing gym , lines of charlie in the bogs, really expensive water. you know the thing?
www.clubtickets.com: How long have you been in this industry for?
Henry: waaaaay too long
www.clubtickets.com: Are you full time? If not, what else do you do?
Henry: yes I'm a genuine full timer but the cash just aint there any more for me. I'm studying web design right now , gotta make some dosh before I get too old.
www.clubtickets.com: What inspired the track 'One Night in Hackney'?
Henry: I would say the answer is carefully hidden in the title wouldn't you? No sorry I'll stop being facetious....To be fair , it was going down the pub with Chris Liberator in Kent and coming home pissed and deciding to write a track about squat parties. we based it on the 'One Night in New York' track that was around at the time by the Horrorist but it wasn't a rip off, just a funny way to make the idea really current and tongue in cheek. It is supposed to be funny, a joke , no more than that but some people think it's a serious list of drugs to take and I hope no-one actually tries it for real.
www.clubtickets.com: Where do you live?
Henry: Ashford in Kent C'MON!!!
www.clubtickets.com: How do you like it there?
Henry: It's boring as hell , I love it!
www.clubtickets.com: How much does your environment affect your life?
Henry: Very much, hence our swift departure from London once my son was born.
www.clubtickets.com: How much do your genetics affect your life?
Henry: What on earth are you talking about? genetics ?? I am an alien, I do not understand. take me to your leader etc etc ...... Dr Spock that is illogical captain ....genetics Hmmm let me see.... look out professor!!! it's behind you!!!!
www.clubtickets.com: Your music is very propulsive. Where does that energy come from, you think?
Henry: It comes from my pent up frustration about being poor , ugly , imperfect , untalented , unhealthy etc .....not to mention how I feel about the state of the world/country and its politics/politicians ( don't get me started ) once I get over all those things I'll start making ambient chill out music and hanging out in sweat lodges on the beach at sunset with hippies smoking bongs but until then RRRRRRRAAAAAAAARRRRGGGHHH TECHNO YYYEEEEAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!
www.clubtickets.com: And to where is it going? Does music need some sort of goal or aim or are the beats an aim in themselves?
Henry: It's all music baby , if you are asking "does a track need a melody line to make it real music?" then my answer would be "no". music is what you understand it to be , there is only perceived music and noise in this world. if it is not one, then it is the other......simple as, in my book.
www.clubtickets.com: Do you have visions of the future? If so, what do you see?
Henry: Oh you know the usual, death, destruction, global warfare, famine, pestilence extreme weather conditions, Mad Max , Terminator, the Matrix, perhaps it's already here.....who knows?
www.clubtickets.com: Barack Obama - saviour or charlatan?
Henry: politician - a clever one
www.clubtickets.com: Party Proactive - caners or sober professionals?
Henry: well, no-one's offered me anything as yet so i guess it's sober professionals so far...but that may well change.
www.clubtickets.com: What time are you on in the main room?
Henry: absolutley no idea , some ungodly hour in the morning I expect. I wish we could all party at midday instead , it would be much more civilised. I don't know what it is about darkness but it seems to drive everyone mad. perhaps you are all vampires.....or werewolves and I never knew.......don't get paranoid henry
www.clubtickets.com: Given the choice do you like to warm up, blow 'em away with a peak time set or close it out with the wreck heads?
Henry: closing out is always fun , warming up can be good but can be lonely. the big set in the middle is good as long as you are sure you can handle the pressure.
www.clubtickets.com: Do you think the move away from central London venues to locations further south and east will change the scene? If so, in what way?
Henry: It'll never happen , look at Ashford , we have one club called the M20 , why? because it's next to the M20. don't even think about coming here on a saturday night!
www.clubtickets.com: Is London the centre of the clubbing universe? If not, where else is good?
Henry: Sao Paulo beats the tits off London any day of the week !!! more beautiful people, cooler music, cheaper and much less snobby bullshit. I hate all that dress code / door crap in London , it's such a bunch of shit. it's the fucking millenium!!! and we're all still so pathetic that we have to judge each other by our looks alone. thats why a lot of west end clubs are so horrid for girls ( and normal people ) , because they let all the pretty girls in and then they let all the naff gymchav boys in who haven't got a clue about the opposite sex and think that chatting a girl up is done by putting a hand up her skirt and laughing to their mates about it. a bit like the at the M20 actually.....
www.clubtickets.com: What events have you got coming up that you're really looking forward to?
Henry: A small two week tour in Brasil in May, some gigs in Germany in June with Frank (the Tank) Kvitta, the next Hydraulix party in October on my 40th birthday (aaaah bugger, i gave away my age!)
www.clubtickets.com: Any releases we should keep an ear out for?
Henry: new scythe squadron , new hydraulix ( 39 and 13.8 ), new mutate to survive ( 06 ), more coming on the Hydraulix digital only label.
www.clubtickets.com: Thank you for your time.
Henry: no probs. sorry for the swearing please keep it in if you can. see ya. H