The Freestylers (UK) with special guest TBA / 15th June, PoW

[Lil MiSbreaks]

More old-school hip-hop, electro and ragga than big-beat techno (though they’re often pigeon-holed that way), the Freestylers were formed by the trio of Matt Cantor, Aston Harvey and Andrew Galea. All three were British b-boys back in the day, and were heavily involved in Britain’s dance scene by the late ‘80s, both as DJs and producers—Cantor recording as Cut’n’Paste, 2 Fat Buddhas and Freska All Stars among others, Harvey as Blapps! Posse (author of the 1990 breakbeat classic “Don’t Hold Back”). Harvey had also worked with Rebel MC and Definition of Sound, but after meeting Galea, the pair began recording together as Sol Brothers and soon brought Cantor into the fold as well.

Taking the name Freestylers from their first sample (Freestyle’s “Don’t Stop the Rock”), the trio released their first single, “Drop the Boom (AK-48)” and formed their own Scratch City Records to release it. The track was a prime slice of vocoderized electro, and became an underground club classic as far afield as bass-driven Miami. The Freestyle EP followed late in 1996, and Freestylers also released singles on Freskanova (home of Cantor’s many solo projects). The group even managed a chart hit (and Top of the Pops appearance) with 1998’s “B-Boy Stance,” a collaboration with vocalist Tenor Fly. A spate of remixing followed, for Audioweb, Afrika Bambaataa and the Jungle Brothers (the latter a pair of the Freestylers’ prime influences). The trio also helmed the big-beat compilation FSUK 2 and contributed a Radio One Essential Mix (where Beenie Man, Public Enemy, the Fall and Whodini all rubbed elbows). Live appearances at Glastonbury and around the European festival circuit met with much praise, and the Freestylers finally released their debut album We Rock Hard in 1999. The mix album Electro Science followed a year later.

Tickets $35+ booking fee from
Polyester Records
Missing Link Records
Greville Records
Central Station Records
At Prince of Wales public bar (12 noon – 10pm, 7 days) Phone book 03 9536 1168 (credit card only, 10am – 6pm Mon – Fri)
Or book online at www.princebandroom.com.au

Doors at 9pm

Support from Ben Stacey, Lil miSbreaks, Blueprint & Boogs.

CAN THIS BE A STICKY PLEASE! thanks.

[Direkt]

I'm completely amazed at the lack of response to this topic....

A couple of years back The Freestylers were massive! Is this no longer the case?

[deviant]

haven't you heard there latest album?

[Direkt]

No.

I lost interest after 'We Rock Hard'... or whatever the first one was called - I loved that album. I still have the cover but my CD has since gone walkabouts.

Still... I'm not the biggest breaks head out there...

By your post I'm tipping it's shithouse Deviant?

[Little Evil]

I'm completely amazed at the lack of response to this topic....

A couple of years back The Freestylers were massive! Is this no longer the case?

I love the Freestylers.
I would say as far a breakbeat is concerned they are my biggest influence, of all time, and they have basically covered the whole breaks spectrum.

Terrible DJ's, but AMAZING producers.

I think the lack of interest stems from them coming out here so often, and also their huge swing towards mainstream audiences in the last few years.

They lost me a while ago.
Yet I have no doubt the place will be packed tonight with dudes who liked 'push up' - and just want to get all underground and shit to the underground breakbeat sounds - as it is a big step up from Twister.


I haven't lost hope in them though - i reckon those guys still have it in them to put out a cutting edge breaks album again in the next few years.


Not going tonight - going to see Gunners.

[Direkt]

The Gunners hey?

Or, the 'Axle Rose Show' as it should be called...

Have fun Evil one.

[Blueprint]

Hey direktor,

there's another thread started earlier with a few more posts.. it's almost sold out, still seems to be a bit of interest for the guys although imagine a bit difference audience these days.. haven't heard a lot of the new stuff, but the guys were one of my biggest influences early on.. much respect..

[Direkt]

Aah yes.... forgot about the other thread mate.

Glad to hear it's almost sold out!

Have a great gig Glenn!

[FliP]

set times?

[David Bass]

how was this?

anyone?

[Lil MiSbreaks]

Great Party!!!

Didnt catch much of the Freestylers unfortunetly due to having to clean an entire empty house the next day, but from before 2.30pm, twas awesome!!!

Prince was rammed, Blueprint and co KAINED it, loved every second. Smoochy Woochy Kerry!
Had a blast playing, great crowd, great sound, great everything. Not sure how I feel about the boobs in the front row tho

[andy_hoffman]

Not sure how I feel about the boobs in the front row tho

PICS!?!?!