Happy hardcore

History

Origins

The breakbeat hardcore rave scene was beginning to fragment by late 1992 into a number of subsequent breakbeat-based genres: darkcore (tracks embracing dark-themed samples and stabs), hardcore jungle (reggae basslines and influences became prominent), and 4-beat also known as "happy hardcore" where piano rolls and uplifting vocals were still central to the sound. DJs such as Slipmatt, DJ Sy, DJ Seduction, Clarkee, Wishdokta, DJ Dougal, DJ Vibes, and Billy Daniel Bunter continued to play and put out music of this nature throughout 1994 – notably Slipmatt's 'SMD' releases, Wishdokta recording as the 'Naughty Naughty' pseudonym, and Seduction on his Impact Records label, as well as the labels Hectic, Homegrown, Kniteforce, and Just Another Label. Dreamscape, Helter Skelter, and Fusion were among the raves where the music was played.

1990s growth

The sound of happy hardcore changed in the 1990s, with tracks increasingly losing their breakbeats towards a stomping distorted 909 4/4 kick drum pattern, with more original vocal leads and stab patterns. DJs and producers that began to come through included Hixxy, Breeze, Force & Styles, DJ Sharkey, DJ DNA, and Kevin Energy and tracks that started to define the genre included "Heart of Gold", "Pretty Green Eyes", "Cloudy Daze", "Sunshine After the Rain", "Above the Clouds", "Six Days", "Love of My Life", "Perfect Dreams", and "Field of Dreams".{{cite web|url=https://daily.redbullmusicacademy.com/2015/08/happy-hardcore-feature|title= Happy Hardcore-A tribute to the oft-derided genre|author=Miles Raymer|date=11 August 2015|work=RBMA Daily}} In London, the sound was championed by the pirate radio station Dream FM, as well as later supported by Eruption FM. Throughout the mid-late 1990s, the compilation series Bonkers would be commercially popular and showcase the latest happy hardcore music. Bonkers only really came into being due to the record label React showing interest in Toy Town, and Hixxy and Sharkey convincing the label to do a compilation album deal instead.

2000s

In the UK, the scene received its own special on BBC Radio 1 called John Peel Is Not Enough (named after a track by CLSM) in 2004 paying homage to the late John Peel. The scene continued to expand, with compilations such as Clubland X-Treme Hardcore, and an evermore youthful audience. In 2009, DJ Kutski hosted a show featuring hard dance and hardcore on Radio 1.

Happy hardcore compilations

Notable happy hardcore compilation albums include:

• Bonkers
• Clubland X-Treme Hardcore
• Dancemania Speed
• Happy 2b Hardcore
• Hardcore Euphoria
• Hardcore Heaven

References

Bibliography

• {{Cite book |title-link=Energy Flash |author-link=Simon Reynolds

References

1. (16 March 2005). "Hardcore Till I Sy: Interview with the Scratchmaster". Harderfaster.net.
2. "DJ Seduction - Biography". Djseduction.co.uk.
3. "Welcome to DJClarkee.com". Clarkee.com.
4. "Music Mondays - Artist - DJ Vibes". Musicmondays.co.uk.
5. (May 1995). "Recreating the rave dream with happy hardcore". [[I-D.
6. (29 January 2015). "Gone To A Rave: High On A Happy Vibe – The Rise And Fall Of Hardcore". Ransom Note.
7. "Fusion Raves". Fusionraves.com.
8. (11 November 2004). "More than hardcore: an interview with MC, producer & DJ Sharkey". Harderfaster.net.
9. Louis Pattison. (21 February 2020). "White gloves on, whistles out: Photos capturing the thrill of hardcore rave". RBMA Daily.
10. (18 March 2003). "Give me Energy, give me Kevin Energy!". Harderfaster.net.
11. Mumdance. (4 September 2014). "The 20 best happy hardcore records of all time". FACTmag.
12. (8 January 2015). "Top 20 Happy Hardcore Anthems from the 90's". Drum & Bass Arena.
13. (10 March 2019). "Happy hardcore will never die: An ode to the Bonkers series".
14. Wall, Mick. (2004). "John Peel: A Tribute To The Legendary DJ and Broadcaster". Orion Books.
15. (20 July 2021). "'Why Don't We All Go Bonkers?' – The Rise and Fall of Happy Hardcore".
16. "Kutski's Biography".
17. (2001). "dance mania speed 6".
18. (3 October 2015). "Looking back on Anabolic Frolic, Happy 2b Hardcore in Canada".
19. "HARDCORE EUPHORIA".
20. "HARDCORE HEAVEN 3 – VARIOUS ARTISTS - Official Charts".