Written by Tom Gachagan, title design by Luna Marshay Jezzard.
Content Warning: Mentions of drug use (not an endorsement or encouragement)
‘Hardcore never dies’- a statement that has never been more true, especially for Dundee. The underground dance music scene has certainly had ups, downs, and setbacks in recent times, however, the small yet mighty hardcore scene has remained strong in these times of venue closures and diminished interest in nights out. Started by Daniel Vaughn (TWOCANNDANN), Dundee’s hardcore scene went from sweaty illegal raves in Stobswell to closing out a stage at DemsFest, a true achievement when you consider it only really began 2 years ago. The hardcore scene has only grown compared to other sounds in the underground and has even expanded its influence to Edinburgh, where Dundee DJs have played club nights that have gone on to sell out and become a staple of nightlife.
It’s important to remember where the scene came from though, I have my own memories seeing the scene become what is today from its early days: TWOCANNDANN’s first events. I first remember seeing a poster for the Hardcore Heaven events around town and in shops. They had caught my interest with the cheap entry price and the BYOB, and the simple poster was also eye catching. I turned up on that November night to find myself in a small room with an incredibly loud and cheap speaker blasting hardcore- the room was dark, and I could only just make out other people’s faces. I didn’t know it at the time, but this was the beginning of a movement. A movement that brought new people together and built friendships and relationships, with thumping kick drums in the background. Another common venue I found myself at was the Hunter S Thompson basement (now The Lowdown). Things would start off a bit calmer at this venue compared to other nights, but it would always end with hardcore. These nights were called ‘Serotonin’ and would go on until the Hunter S Thompson was sold, with the final party being in June 2023. That night was a night like no other with completely unmatched energy and excitement. It was bittersweet, but an incredible experience. Joined by Edinburgh’s ‘Scottish Gabber Punk’, it was a night packed with hardcore and gabber, the spirit was there, and we knew that hardcore would never die.
Gabber is the sound that often leaves a lasting impact and dominates the latter part of the nights. It’s powerful, aggressive, energetic and almost euphoric in some ways. Gabber was born in Rotterdam, Netherlands out of the rave scene in the early 90’s. Rotterdam, an industrial city, pushed its character into the music creating a raw and aggressive sound. Throughout the years it has become very popular in the Netherlands and since the mid 2010’s it has been rising in popularity again. Many people view gabber and its associated events as part of Dutch culture now hosting large music festival raves like Thunderdome being a major example where people travel from many different countries to attend. Many people in the Rotterdam scene call themselves ‘gabbers’.
When venues were closing or moving into new ownership, many staple nights in Dundee stopped happening or took a hiatus. Since hardcore never dies, it found that it was able to stay strong and stable at its current home, Roots (formerly Conroys Basement). Home to TwoCannDann, the venue has seen a bunch of different nights from a DDE event playing the likes of Clubland Hardcore or the various bookings from the Edinburgh underground scene such as Ali Overdrive, KY8 or stepping out of hardcore for the ‘Jungle Mania’ event with Lara Sinclair. These events have always been successful and fill out the well, building on the community as more people start to attend.
What does the future hold for the hardcore scene? It’s what we make of it. With the likes of DJ Dunter building a name for himself in the scene and newcomer DJ JC moving into hardcore territory, it can only grow. Hardcore is an important scene here in Dundee, it has produced some of the most unique events in the small city and has built a close community of DJs and punters alike. Venues may close, change owners and ruin the nights or DJs may change residency, but one fact will always remain true: Hardcore Never Dies.
An interview with TWOCANNDANN :
When and how did you get into DJing?
“I got into DJing because my godfather passed away and he always wanted me to do it, and he was going to teach me. After he passed away his son taught me how to DJ and that’s how it began. My family have always been involved in music and I was always wanting to do something with music but was unsure what I wanted it to be but then I discovered DJing, and I realised that is what I wanted to do. I started off playing minimal techno and disco. I first heard 90s dance music like breakbeat when I was out with my mates and we were all on it and that really made me want to do this, especially after the passing of my godfather. Electro was another big influence and Public House (DJ Collective) were an influence.”
What got you into hardcore?
“When I was 16, I came home one night under the influence and was blasting happy hardcore in my room. My stepdad heard me listening to it and came in. He wanted to show me all the music he liked and listened to in the genre with record labels like Mokum, Industrial Strength, Terrortrax (my favourite lable) and Thunderdome and also showing me the Rezuection events he used to attend which heavily influenced me in putting my own nights on. I also got shown DJs like Paul Estak, Lenny D and Nasenbluten. Hearing proper gabber for the first time blew my mind, how fast it was was incredible. It was music at my speed, the energy was so intense, had such an offensive f*ck-offness energy to it. It was truly an eye-opening experience. My love for happy hardcore comes from the fact that it is so euphoric, and it just boosts my serotonin.
Best night you’ve played so far?
“The one I enjoyed the most? That’s a difficult one, maybe the final Serotonin or closing the cave stage at DemsFest? Nah it has to be CTS vs Inkoherent at the Mash House. It was my first time putting on a night in Edinburgh which was one of my goals for the year and to sell it out was a major bonus. The crowd was intense, everyone was in clown paint, taps off, the floor was physically bending and bouncing, and it was a total sweatbox with the sweat dripping off the roof and walls onto the decks, the Inkoherent boys were having to cover the decks to stop it from getting too wet. Smoke machine on full pelt too, everyone was loving it. It was a true milestone for me to hit and it meant a lot for me to have it sold out.”
Favourite DJ/producers?
“Paul Elstak, he’s the GOAT of hardcore, simple as that, he’s just the GOAT man...
Locked Club, their energy is unreal, tunes never miss and are so unique, how industrial and heavy their electro is, just so fun. Really want to see them...
Ali Overdrive, easily one of the best makina producers of our generation, with such a unique sound and getting their tunes played a bunch is so good to hear.
Bodylotion, most of my favourite gabber tunes are by him and they’re on my favourite record lable, Terrortrax...
Scott Brown because he’s done so much for the Scottish hardcore scene going way back in the day to the genres early days...
Joey Beltram, he massively pioneered techno and overall just has some really good tunes.”
Celtic Terror Squad (CTS) has been very successful, how did it begin?
“CTS started because I was doing hardcore events in Dundee and Caleb (amhailt.xox) was living there at the time. I saw Caleb playing at Dems open decks, we met up and got along really well. One day at Freya’s I had to go pee and asked Caleb to take over but they couldn’t figure out to get behind the booth. We decided that we should do it and started ‘Irish Scottish Hardcore Defence Alliance’ (Calebs idea by the way). That name was a mouthful so I changed it to Celtic Terror Squad. We wanted to include our celtic roots in the name, me being Scottish and half Northern Irish and Caleb being Northern Irish. The Terror Squad part is from Dutch gabber groups.”
Why the clown paint?
“We were at Freya’s Wish and there was face paint and for a laugh we went as Insane Clown Posse. After seeing the photos, we realised how hard it looked and just looked so much better than some baldy and a goth.
“The success of CTS has been insane, barely been going for a full year and we’ve already played a festival, have residencies with some of the biggest nights in Edinburgh with Overground and Inkoherent. We also have our own nights with Cowgate Fight Club and Kult na Kloun. 2024 also marks the year CTS makes their international debut with our first international gig being in Korea.”
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