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rafferty Advanced Member
United Kingdom
621 posts Joined: Feb, 2012
Posted - 2023/10/20 : 08:42:32
You look back at those years and no other era comes even remotely close. You had lots of tv dance shows covering it. Kids in school were listening to it in large numbers. There was lots of Hardcore video clips on MTV. Parties were getting huge attendances. CDs and records were selling really well with constant new releases.
Like the UK Hardcore thing in the 2000s would have lucky to have grown to a quarter of the popularity of the mid 90s Hardcore scene and that is probably being generous.
You just look at discogs, there were over 5000 Happy Hardcore releases in just 1995 alone. Every year after 2000 was around a quarter or less of that.
warped_candykid Advanced Member
United States
3,938 posts Joined: Jan, 2004
Posted - 2023/10/21 : 02:27:28
My guess would be it was simply because it was new. It was also a sound of its own (for the time being); so you weren't going to turn on your radio or tv to just hear it(unless it was pirate radio); you had to buy the CDs/Vinyl, and I think that authentic piece added more to its value.
Also, I think more people were truly into the music and wanted to experience it/be part of it.
Let's use Hullabaloo for example (yes, I know that came after 96, but I'm using it for a point): Ravers went out of their way to sew/make outfits, make candy bracelets, create crazy costumes...they wanted to create and to be part of the experience, not just show up to say "Hey, I'm at Hullabaloo." ----- There was a sub culture behind the music to add to the flare. And I'm sure Europe/The UK had it's own sub culture of fashion and trend back then as well that symbolized the music (Gabba Babies anyone?)
Alert moderatorEdited by - warped_candykid on 2023/10/21 02:28:19
Smoogie Advanced Member
United Kingdom
6,480 posts Joined: Mar, 2006
Posted - 2023/10/23 : 19:33:09
There have been a lot of rival genres that have come out since. In the 2000s Hardcore was already competing with other big genres and ended up taking influence from them hence the Trancecore/ Freeform side of things. I think that the Dutch focusing more on Gabber and no 'Happy' releases might have not helped as that was one country less producing the happier material. The UK also had the Bounce/Donk thing as well which was a competitor although mostly that got airplay in the North West and not much elsewhere.
DJ A.K. Average Member
United Kingdom
217 posts Joined: Dec, 2011
Posted - 2023/10/24 : 20:54:32
Many countries scenes converged and started to produce a similar version of hardcore (happy hardcore/bouncy techno) for a brief period, England, Scotland, Holland, Italy, Germany, Spain etc, it was also still (reasonably) credible and still had enough underground appeal, sheer number of releases meant there was more than enough quality tracks around.
rafferty Advanced Member
United Kingdom
621 posts Joined: Feb, 2012
Posted - 2023/11/10 : 23:41:04
quote:Originally posted by warped_candykid:
My guess would be it was simply because it was new. It was also a sound of its own (for the time being); so you weren't going to turn on your radio or tv to just hear it(unless it was pirate radio); you had to buy the CDs/Vinyl, and I think that authentic piece added more to its value.
Also, I think more people were truly into the music and wanted to experience it/be part of it.
Let's use Hullabaloo for example (yes, I know that came after 96, but I'm using it for a point): Ravers went out of their way to sew/make outfits, make candy bracelets, create crazy costumes...they wanted to create and to be part of the experience, not just show up to say "Hey, I'm at Hullabaloo." ----- There was a sub culture behind the music to add to the flare. And I'm sure Europe/The UK had it's own sub culture of fashion and trend back then as well that symbolized the music (Gabba Babies anyone?)
Yeah I don't think it will be ever matched from the mid 90s.. Lack of creativity was another big factor when I think about it. After 2000 production got pretty lazy and not as good or anywhere near as frequent.
It has only started to get creative again in the last few years.
I always have a right chuckle when I look a Hullaballo. Terrible name for a Hardcore Party. And the events looked so cringe. The UK & Netherlands had better events at local halls than that.
Probably should have borrowed a promoter event name from here like Slammin Vinyl, Hardcore Heaven, Fusion or United Dance if Hullaballoo is all they could come up with.
rafferty Advanced Member
United Kingdom
621 posts Joined: Feb, 2012
Posted - 2023/11/10 : 23:56:46
quote:Originally posted by Smoogie:
There have been a lot of rival genres that have come out since. In the 2000s Hardcore was already competing with other big genres and ended up taking influence from them hence the Trancecore/ Freeform side of things. I think that the Dutch focusing more on Gabber and no 'Happy' releases might have not helped as that was one country less producing the happier material. The UK also had the Bounce/Donk thing as well which was a competitor although mostly that got airplay in the North West and not much elsewhere.
rafferty Advanced Member
United Kingdom
621 posts Joined: Feb, 2012
Posted - 2023/11/10 : 23:58:27
quote:Originally posted by DJ A.K.:
Many countries scenes converged and started to produce a similar version of hardcore (happy hardcore/bouncy techno) for a brief period, England, Scotland, Holland, Italy, Germany, Spain etc, it was also still (reasonably) credible and still had enough underground appeal, sheer number of releases meant there was more than enough quality tracks around.
When the UK & Holland were both producing lots of Happy Hardcore. That definitely was when the scene was at it's best.
warped_candykid Advanced Member
United States
3,938 posts Joined: Jan, 2004
Posted - 2023/11/11 : 04:39:06
quote:Originally posted by rafferty:
quote:Originally posted by warped_candykid:
My guess would be it was simply because it was new. It was also a sound of its own (for the time being); so you weren't going to turn on your radio or tv to just hear it(unless it was pirate radio); you had to buy the CDs/Vinyl, and I think that authentic piece added more to its value.
Also, I think more people were truly into the music and wanted to experience it/be part of it.
Let's use Hullabaloo for example (yes, I know that came after 96, but I'm using it for a point): Ravers went out of their way to sew/make outfits, make candy bracelets, create crazy costumes...they wanted to create and to be part of the experience, not just show up to say "Hey, I'm at Hullabaloo." ----- There was a sub culture behind the music to add to the flare. And I'm sure Europe/The UK had it's own sub culture of fashion and trend back then as well that symbolized the music (Gabba Babies anyone?)
Yeah I don't think it will be ever matched from the mid 90s.. Lack of creativity was another big factor when I think about it. After 2000 production got pretty lazy and not as good or anywhere near as frequent.
It has only started to get creative again in the last few years.
I always have a right chuckle when I look a Hullaballo. Terrible name for a Hardcore Party. And the events looked so cringe. The UK & Netherlands had better events at local halls than that.
Probably should have borrowed a promoter event name from here like Slammin Vinyl, Hardcore Heaven, Fusion or United Dance if Hullaballoo is all they could come up with.
We really need to get you to a doctor to get that sand out of your vagina.
Alert moderatorEdited by - warped_candykid on 2023/11/11 04:41:52
rafferty Advanced Member
United Kingdom
621 posts Joined: Feb, 2012
Posted - 2023/12/03 : 06:37:20
quote:Originally posted by warped_candykid:
quote:Originally posted by rafferty:
quote:Originally posted by warped_candykid:
My guess would be it was simply because it was new. It was also a sound of its own (for the time being); so you weren't going to turn on your radio or tv to just hear it(unless it was pirate radio); you had to buy the CDs/Vinyl, and I think that authentic piece added more to its value.
Also, I think more people were truly into the music and wanted to experience it/be part of it.
Let's use Hullabaloo for example (yes, I know that came after 96, but I'm using it for a point): Ravers went out of their way to sew/make outfits, make candy bracelets, create crazy costumes...they wanted to create and to be part of the experience, not just show up to say "Hey, I'm at Hullabaloo." ----- There was a sub culture behind the music to add to the flare. And I'm sure Europe/The UK had it's own sub culture of fashion and trend back then as well that symbolized the music (Gabba Babies anyone?)
Yeah I don't think it will be ever matched from the mid 90s.. Lack of creativity was another big factor when I think about it. After 2000 production got pretty lazy and not as good or anywhere near as frequent.
It has only started to get creative again in the last few years.
I always have a right chuckle when I look a Hullaballo. Terrible name for a Hardcore Party. And the events looked so cringe. The UK & Netherlands had better events at local halls than that.
Probably should have borrowed a promoter event name from here like Slammin Vinyl, Hardcore Heaven, Fusion or United Dance if Hullaballoo is all they could come up with.
We really need to get you to a doctor to get that sand out of your vagina.
Haha this is coming from a guy that dresses like he's at a pre-school party and probably does not know what gender he is like most male "candy" fools.
Oh wait. That's non binary for you. Oops, I miss gendered you. 😂😂😂
Samination Advanced Member
Sweden
13,078 posts Joined: Jul, 2004
195 hardcore releases
Posted - 2023/12/03 : 10:16:56
Someone's mad that Hullaballo was bigger than most English raves
__________________________________
---------------------------------------------
Samination, Swedish Hardcore DJ
Happy, UK Hardcore, Freeform, Makina and Gabber http://samination.se/ ---------------------------------------------
warped_candykid Advanced Member
United States
3,938 posts Joined: Jan, 2004
Posted - 2023/12/05 : 21:28:51
quote:Originally posted by rafferty:
Haha this is coming from a guy that dresses like he's at a pre-school party and probably does not know what gender he is like most male "candy" fools.
Oh wait. That's non binary for you. Oops, I miss gendered you. 😂😂😂
Sulphurik Advanced Member
United Kingdom
954 posts Joined: Jan, 2009
Posted - 2024/01/01 : 17:37:09
quote:Originally posted by Tekk:
I can see 95/96 for dutch hardcore but late 90's butting up into the 2000's were peak for the UK imo.
Was that not when the UK hardcore scene took a nosedive? Around 2000, the scene dropped in popularity and was very quiet but then it did pick up again in 2002 onwards to at least 2010.
warped_candykid Advanced Member
United States
3,938 posts Joined: Jan, 2004
Posted - 2024/01/02 : 00:57:10
quote:Originally posted by Sulphurik:
quote:Originally posted by Tekk:
I can see 95/96 for dutch hardcore but late 90's butting up into the 2000's were peak for the UK imo.
Was that not when the UK hardcore scene took a nosedive? Around 2000, the scene dropped in popularity and was very quiet but then it did pick up again in 2002 onwards to at least 2010.
That era still has it's gems. There was a 3 year "dark period" between Bonkers 7 & Bonkers 8, but there were still some decent tunes being turned out. Check out Happy2bHardcore Volumes 5, 6, & 7 to hear some of the cheesier stuff that was still coming out during that span.
Samination Advanced Member
Sweden
13,078 posts Joined: Jul, 2004
195 hardcore releases
Posted - 2024/01/02 : 10:41:36
H2bH7 came out after Bonkers 8 I believe.
Also, H2bH "ended" after the 6th release. #NotMyH2bH
__________________________________
---------------------------------------------
Samination, Swedish Hardcore DJ
Happy, UK Hardcore, Freeform, Makina and Gabber http://samination.se/ ---------------------------------------------
Why was 95, 96 the biggest ever era for Hardcore?
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Posted - 2023/10/20 : 08:42:32
