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In this episode, Neil sits down with Kevin Foakes (aka Strictly Kev and DJ Food) - legendary DJ, graphic artist, and archivist of UK counterculture - for a deep dive into four decades of music, raves, graffiti, and psychedelic experimentation.

Kevin's journey is a masterclass in underground creativity, spanning from Adam and the Ants fandom to hip-hop graffiti, from acid house squats to Ninja Tune's golden era. After discovering hip-hop through the legendary Subway Art book, he traces his path into graffiti culture, documenting pieces in Westbourne Park and Ladbroke Grove, and recalls the pivotal Freestyle '85 hip-hop jam.

The conversation shifts to the rave and acid house years, where Kevin recounts his experiences raving at squats, founding the influential Telepathic Fish chill-out parties, and crossing paths with scene legends like Mixmaster Morris and Coldcut's Matt Black. He reflects on his design work for Ninja Tune, co-hosting the iconic Solid Steel radio show, and the label's legendary Stealth nights at Hoxton's Blue Note.

Along the way, Kevin shares vivid anecdotes about Megatripolis' psychedelic chaos, the record shop culture of Ambient Soho, and his current projects—including a Telepathic Fish compilation released in September 2024 and his forthcoming book on psychedelic light shows.

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Theme song is Controlled Weirdness - Drifting in the Streets
https://open.spotify.com/track/7GJfmYy4RjMyLIg9nffukt

Hosted from a South London tower block by Neil Keating aka Controlled Weirdness. Tales from a Disappearing City is a chance for Neil to tell some untold subcultural stories from past and present, joined by friends from his lifelong journey through subterranean London. Neil is a veteran producer and DJ and has been at the front line of all aspects of club and sound system culture since the mid 80’s when he first began to go to nightclubs, gigs, and illegal parties. His musical CV includes playing everywhere from plush clubs to dirty warehouses as well as mixing tunes on a variety of iconic London pirate radio stations. He has released music on numerous underground record labels and was responsible for promoting and playing at a series of legendary early raves in the USA at the start of the 90’s. He still DJ's in the UK and throu...

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In this episode we take a  deep-dive into Britain's underground festival counterculture with filmmaker Aaron Trinder, creator of the groundbreaking documentary "Free Party: A Folk History." Aaron reveals how the free festival culture of the 60s and 70s collided with the explosive rave scene of the late 80s and 90s, creating a movement so powerful that the government literally rewrote the law to stop it. From the legendary Castlemorton Common Festival of 1992 - a 50,000-strong gathering that triggered the Criminal Justice Act - to the chaotic Spiral Tribe NYE party at the Roundhouse, Aaron shares stories from the frontlines of cultural warfare and his 7-year DIY odyssey to preserve these forgotten histories.

Aaron's grassroots filmmaking journey, battling music licensing and mainstream media, mirrors the same DIY spirit that built the free party movement. Shaped by childhood experiences in West London squats and punk venues, he brings an insider's perspective that no academic could replicate. The film explores how the Criminal Justice Act wasn't just about noise complaints but was a direct assault on the radical idea that people could gather freely without corporate or state control.

"This film is a unique look at a much-underrepresented moment in cultural history. It was the last great unifying youth movement before the digital age, one that challenged the authorities, connected environmental awareness with music, and questioned laws on land rights and trespass. With new laws criminalising trespass and protest across Europe, the story is more relevant than ever."
Director - Aaron Trinder

Links to show your support
https://youtu.be/YGy_lDDqO9E?si=5iZLuBeaApQvH4nA
https://freepartydoc.info/
https://www.instagram.com/freepartydocumentary/
https://www.facebook.com/aaron.trinder.5/
https://alanlodge.co.uk/
https://www.instagram.com/tashuk

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Theme song is Controlled Weirdness - Drifting in the Streets
https://open.spotify.com/track/7GJfmYy4RjMyLIg9nffukt

Hosted from a South London tower block by Neil Keating aka Controlled Weirdness. Tales from a Disappearing City is a chance for Neil to tell some untold subcultural stories from past and present, joined by friends from his lifelong journey through subterranean London. Neil is a veteran producer and DJ and has been at the front line of all aspects of club and sound system culture since the mid 80’s when he first began to go to nightclubs, gigs, and illegal parties. His musical CV includes playing everywhere from plush clubs to dirty warehouses as well as mixing tunes on a variety of iconic London pirate radio stations. He has released music on numerous underground record labels and was responsible for promoting and playing at a series of legendary early raves in the USA at the start of the 90’s. He still DJ's in the UK and throu...

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In the second part of our chat, we continue our conversation with Chris (aka Dexta), following his journey from aspiring DJ to co-founder of Planet Wax, the New Cross institution that has become a cornerstone of London's underground dance music scene.
"Record shops aren't just about selling vinyl—they're about creating a space where the culture can breathe," Dexta explains.
In this episode, we discuss how Dexta founded Diffrent Music in 2010 with his friend Jamie. This experimental bass label deliberately countered mainstream trends and quickly became a cult favorite with over 100 releases.
Dexta's career evolved through various roles in graphic design at DJ Mag and Hospital Records, where he blended his talents in A&R, broadcasting, and event management. He notably helped organize the popular DJ Mag Bunker nights and co-founded Clashmouth, a vibrant drum & bass vinyl marketplace that strengthened community bonds.
His entrepreneurial spirit led him to establish 1-800-Dubplate with Lewis (aka Sicknote), a specialized dubplate-cutting service, before they both successfully crowdfunded Discworld (later rebranded as Planet Wax). After relocating to New Cross and expanding with a bar, the record shop and venue evolved into a cultural hub for vinyl enthusiasts, artists, and DIY culture.
As Dexta reflects, while it's "not a fortune-making business," the true reward lies in preserving authentic music culture for future generations.

👉 Visit Planet Wax and Planet Wax - On Air 
https://planetwax.net/
https://live.planetwax.net/

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https://www.youtube.com/@ControlledWeirdness
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https://www.instagram.com/controlledweirdness/
https://controlledweirdness.bandcamp.com/

Theme song is Controlled Weirdness - Drifting in the Streets
https://open.spotify.com/track/7GJfmYy4RjMyLIg9nffukt

Hosted from a South London tower block by Neil Keating aka Controlled Weirdness. Tales from a Disappearing City is a chance for Neil to tell some untold subcultural stories from past and present, joined by friends from his lifelong journey through subterranean London. Neil is a veteran producer and DJ and has been at the front line of all aspects of club and sound system culture since the mid 80’s when he first began to go to nightclubs, gigs, and illegal parties. His musical CV includes playing everywhere from plush clubs to dirty warehouses as well as mixing tunes on a variety of iconic London pirate radio stations. He has released music on numerous underground record labels and was responsible for promoting and playing at a series of legendary early raves in the USA at the start of the 90’s. He still DJ's in the UK and throu...

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In the first of a two-part conversation, we sit down with Chris (aka Dexta), co-founder of Planet Wax, a legendary record shop, bar, venue, and radio station in New Cross dedicated to underground dance music and its surrounding culture and community. This episode explores Dexta's journey through the UK music scene from the late 1990s to early 2010s. Growing up in North London, his musical passion began with compilation albums and cassette tapes, with a particular affinity for The Prodigy and UK garage. Dexta recalls his first production experiments using basic software that came free in a cereal box, before transitioning to DJing after acquiring a pair of belt-drive turntables. The conversation traces his evolution through various music scenes—from UK garage to grime, and eventually to drum and bass. He shares his experiences with pirate radio, first as a listener of Y2K Radio, then as a presenter hosting his own shows on stations like Rush FM, Elite Radio, and UK Bass Radio. These platforms allowed him to connect with fellow DJs and build an audience while honing his skills both as a DJ and presenter.
Dexta recounts his early club experiences, including his first gig at age 16 where he played a 15-minute set as part of "Solid Jam Cartel" (SJC). He discusses frequenting iconic London venues like Fabric, The End, and Bar Rumba, where he discovered various subgenres of drum and bass. His musical tastes gradually shifted from "jump up" drum and bass to darker, more underground sounds.
Throughout the episode, Dexta reflects on technological changes in music production and distribution—from early software like Mixman and Fruity Loops to the transition of record shops moving online. He also touches on his brief relocation to Bournemouth, where he discovered even darker drum and bass sounds, before returning to London with ambitions to launch his own record label.

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https://www.youtube.com/@ControlledWeirdness
https://open.spotify.com/artist/20nC7cQni8ZrvRC2REZjOI
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https://controlledweirdness.bandcamp.com/

Theme song is Controlled Weirdness - Drifting in the Streets
https://open.spotify.com/track/7GJfmYy4RjMyLIg9nffukt

Hosted from a South London tower block by Neil Keating aka Controlled Weirdness. Tales from a Disappearing City is a chance for Neil to tell some untold subcultural stories from past and present, joined by friends from his lifelong journey through subterranean London. Neil is a veteran producer and DJ and has been at the front line of all aspects of club and sound system culture since the mid 80’s when he first began to go to nightclubs, gigs, and illegal parties. His musical CV includes playing everywhere from plush clubs to dirty warehouses as well as mixing tunes on a variety of iconic London pirate radio stations. He has released music on numerous underground record labels and was responsible for promoting and playing at a series of legendary early raves in the USA at the start of the 90’s. He still DJ's in the UK and throu...

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In part two of our conversation, Ian St. Paul shares his remarkable journey through some of the most influential moments in dance music history. Beginning with his first trip to Ibiza in 1984, Ian recounts how what started as a holiday transformed into a life-changing adventure that would shape club culture for decades to come.
The conversation traces Ian's evolution from running bars in Ibiza to becoming a pivotal figure in London's acid house scene, where he founded legendary clubs like Future, Spectrum, and Land of Oz. Ian provides an insider's perspective on the emergence of ecstasy culture, the development of the Balearic sound, and how he helped bring these experiences back to the UK, kickstarting the acid house movement. 

Beyond the acid house era, Ian discusses his ventures into trance music with Dragonfly Records and TIP, his seven years in Japan building the scene there, and later adventures in Goa, Nepal, and back to Ibiza. Throughout the episode, Ian offers candid insights about the personalities, music, and cultural shifts that defined these revolutionary moments in dance music history, providing a rare first-hand account from someone who was not only present but instrumental in creating these movements.

Support the show

https://www.youtube.com/@ControlledWeirdness
https://open.spotify.com/artist/20nC7cQni8ZrvRC2REZjOI
https://www.instagram.com/controlledweirdness/
https://controlledweirdness.bandcamp.com/

Theme song is Controlled Weirdness - Drifting in the Streets
https://open.spotify.com/track/7GJfmYy4RjMyLIg9nffukt

Hosted from a South London tower block by Neil Keating aka Controlled Weirdness. Tales from a Disappearing City is a chance for Neil to tell some untold subcultural stories from past and present, joined by friends from his lifelong journey through subterranean London. Neil is a veteran producer and DJ and has been at the front line of all aspects of club and sound system culture since the mid 80’s when he first began to go to nightclubs, gigs, and illegal parties. His musical CV includes playing everywhere from plush clubs to dirty warehouses as well as mixing tunes on a variety of iconic London pirate radio stations. He has released music on numerous underground record labels and was responsible for promoting and playing at a series of legendary early raves in the USA at the start of the 90’s. He still DJ's in the UK and throu...

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In this captivating first installment of our two-part conversation, Ian shares his remarkable coming-of-age story: from his teenage years in South London's vibrant soul scene of the 1970s to living in New York from 1980 to 1983, concluding as he departs for Ibiza in 1984.

Ian St Paul stands as a genuine pioneer of London's underground music scene. Raised on the Roundshaw Estate in South London, he discovered soul records at age 13, igniting a lifelong passion for music. He quickly became a fixture at iconic London soul venues like Crackers and the Lacy Lady, absorbing the vibrant club culture of the era. At just 15, Ian embarked on an extraordinary journey to New York City with friend Paul Oakenfold, immersing himself in the legendary club scene that would later profoundly influence UK dance music. Upon returning to London, he founded "Candy Box," a youth club that hosted early performances by then-unknown DJs including Giles Peterson and Oakenfold. Ian's influence expanded when he moved to Ibiza in 1984, diving deep into the island's emerging club culture alongside his DJ cousin Trevor Fung. His pivotal moment came in 1987 when Oakenfold visited him in Ibiza with fellow DJs; Ian introduced them to the island's revolutionary party scene, taking them to Amnesia and exposing them to the nascent ecstasy culture.
In 1988, Ian returned to London where he promoted the legendary Acid House nights Future and Spectrum—events that kickstarted the UK's acid house revolution. His journey continued into the 90s when he relocated to Goa, India, where he managed trance music pioneers Juno Reactor.

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https://open.spotify.com/artist/20nC7cQni8ZrvRC2REZjOI
https://www.instagram.com/controlledweirdness/
https://controlledweirdness.bandcamp.com/

Theme song is Controlled Weirdness - Drifting in the Streets
https://open.spotify.com/track/7GJfmYy4RjMyLIg9nffukt

Hosted from a South London tower block by Neil Keating aka Controlled Weirdness. Tales from a Disappearing City is a chance for Neil to tell some untold subcultural stories from past and present, joined by friends from his lifelong journey through subterranean London. Neil is a veteran producer and DJ and has been at the front line of all aspects of club and sound system culture since the mid 80’s when he first began to go to nightclubs, gigs, and illegal parties. His musical CV includes playing everywhere from plush clubs to dirty warehouses as well as mixing tunes on a variety of iconic London pirate radio stations. He has released music on numerous underground record labels and was responsible for promoting and playing at a series of legendary early raves in the USA at the start of the 90’s. He still DJ's in the UK and throu...

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In part two of my conversation with DJ/producer Warlock, we explore his fascinating musical evolution and contributions to UK electronic music. The episode traces his journey from playing UK hardcore in the early 90s to embracing the harder European techno scene as well as a multitude of other underground genres and styles over the years.
Jason shares his experiences working at Kickin Records alongside Peter Harris, where he handled A&R and compilation licensing. He then discusses co-founding Rag & Bone Records with Stacey (NoYeahNo). Throughout his career, Jason has produced music under various aliases including Warlock, Lorenz Attractor, Han Do Jin, and Hooverian Blur.
The conversation offers an intimate look at the golden era of UK club culture, featuring stories from legendary parties such as Knowledge at SW1 in Victoria and the influential FWD nights at Plastic People. Beyond nostalgic reminiscence, Jason provides insightful perspectives on contemporary electronic music, discussing the current jungle revival and how a new generation of producers is breaking down traditional genre boundaries. He emphasises the importance of maintaining musical open-mindedness rather than becoming confined to a single genre.

Support the show

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https://open.spotify.com/artist/20nC7cQni8ZrvRC2REZjOI
https://www.instagram.com/controlledweirdness/
https://controlledweirdness.bandcamp.com/

Theme song is Controlled Weirdness - Drifting in the Streets
https://open.spotify.com/track/7GJfmYy4RjMyLIg9nffukt

Hosted from a South London tower block by Neil Keating aka Controlled Weirdness. Tales from a Disappearing City is a chance for Neil to tell some untold subcultural stories from past and present, joined by friends from his lifelong journey through subterranean London. Neil is a veteran producer and DJ and has been at the front line of all aspects of club and sound system culture since the mid 80’s when he first began to go to nightclubs, gigs, and illegal parties. His musical CV includes playing everywhere from plush clubs to dirty warehouses as well as mixing tunes on a variety of iconic London pirate radio stations. He has released music on numerous underground record labels and was responsible for promoting and playing at a series of legendary early raves in the USA at the start of the 90’s. He still DJ's in the UK and throu...

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Join me for part one of my two-part conversation with Warlock. A raw, unfiltered journey through the golden age of pirate radio, and the birth of jungle.  In this episode, Jason takes us deep into the underground scene of early 90s London. From running pirate radio in student halls to getting caught by the DTI live on air. This episode is a raw slice of UK dance music history.

Some of the many topics discussed include:

His journey from Watford to Stafford and eventually down to London
Involvement in pirate radio (Mental FM, Pulse FM) in the early 90s
Stories about De Underground record shop in Forest Gate and its importance to the jungle scene
Getting busted by the DTI while broadcasting live on Pirate Radio
Memories of early hardcore and jungle production techniques
Insights into the evolution from hip-hop to hardcore and jungle

Part two coming soon.

Support the show

https://www.youtube.com/@ControlledWeirdness
https://open.spotify.com/artist/20nC7cQni8ZrvRC2REZjOI
https://www.instagram.com/controlledweirdness/
https://controlledweirdness.bandcamp.com/

Theme song is Controlled Weirdness - Drifting in the Streets
https://open.spotify.com/track/7GJfmYy4RjMyLIg9nffukt

Hosted from a South London tower block by Neil Keating aka Controlled Weirdness. Tales from a Disappearing City is a chance for Neil to tell some untold subcultural stories from past and present, joined by friends from his lifelong journey through subterranean London. Neil is a veteran producer and DJ and has been at the front line of all aspects of club and sound system culture since the mid 80’s when he first began to go to nightclubs, gigs, and illegal parties. His musical CV includes playing everywhere from plush clubs to dirty warehouses as well as mixing tunes on a variety of iconic London pirate radio stations. He has released music on numerous underground record labels and was responsible for promoting and playing at a series of legendary early raves in the USA at the start of the 90’s. He still DJ's in the UK and throu...

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This is the second part of my two-part conversation with Jerome Hill, a DJ and producer renowned for his exceptional skills behind the turntables. Since his first gig in 1990, Jerome has been mixing and scratching a wide variety of sounds, always bringing a selection guaranteed to energize any party.

In this episode, we discuss several key topics, including:

Club UK: A nightclub in Wandsworth, London, active in the early to mid-1990s, where Jerome was introduced to the harder sounds of techno through DJs like Jeff Mills, Laurent Garnier, and Carl Cox.
Jerome’s early days as a DJ at squat parties in the 1990s, performing for sound systems such as Jiba and Chiba City.
Dragon Disc, a record shop in Camden, where Jerome worked as manager and buyer.
The so-called "wonky techno" sound, which was showcased both in the shop and at parties like Ugly Funk.
Collaborating with Rob Stowe as Groove Asylum, creating music and performing live sets at techno parties.
Launching a diverse range of record labels spanning multiple genres, including:
Don't for unconventional party techno.
Super Rhythm Trax for acid, bleeps, and house grooves.
Hornsey Hardcore for rave-infused beats.
Fat Hop for cut-up, hip-hop-inspired mash-ups.
We also touch on Jerome's philosophy of championing music that some DJs might shy away from. Throughout the conversation, Jerome reflects on his journey in the music scene, from the early rave days to his current roles as a label owner and DJ.

Support the show

https://www.youtube.com/@ControlledWeirdness
https://open.spotify.com/artist/20nC7cQni8ZrvRC2REZjOI
https://www.instagram.com/controlledweirdness/
https://controlledweirdness.bandcamp.com/

Theme song is Controlled Weirdness - Drifting in the Streets
https://open.spotify.com/track/7GJfmYy4RjMyLIg9nffukt

Hosted from a South London tower block by Neil Keating aka Controlled Weirdness. Tales from a Disappearing City is a chance for Neil to tell some untold subcultural stories from past and present, joined by friends from his lifelong journey through subterranean London. Neil is a veteran producer and DJ and has been at the front line of all aspects of club and sound system culture since the mid 80’s when he first began to go to nightclubs, gigs, and illegal parties. His musical CV includes playing everywhere from plush clubs to dirty warehouses as well as mixing tunes on a variety of iconic London pirate radio stations. He has released music on numerous underground record labels and was responsible for promoting and playing at a series of legendary early raves in the USA at the start of the 90’s. He still DJ's in the UK and throu...

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Join me for part one of my two-part conversation with Jerome Hill, a DJ and producer renowned for his top-notch skills behind the turntables. Since his first gig back in 1990, Jerome has been mixing and scratching up an eclectic storm, always armed with a selection guaranteed to rock any party. Jerome also runs a diverse range of record labels across multiple genres and styles. These include:

• Don't for fucked up party techno
• Super Rhythm Trax for acid, bleeps, and house grooves
• Hornsey Hardcore for raved up beats
• Fat Hop for cut-up hip-hop inspired mash-ups

In this first episode, we talk about our shared love for the underground electronic and hip-hop music scenes in the UK in the late 80s and early 90s, sharing stories and reminiscing about formative musical experiences from that era. Some topics discussed are:

• Jerome's roots in West London, exploring how skateboarding and graffiti culture shaped his early years
• The musical legacy passed down by his father, a session musician who introduced Jerome to the foundations of rock and roll and R&B
• The late 1980s pirate radio scene, with Jerome sharing his experiences listening to stations like CLR and Fantasy FM and legendary DJs like Hype who were blending house, techno, and early breakbeat
• The diverse early 90s UK electronic music scene, including discussion of some classic tunes and record shops
• Early UK hip-hop crews such as Criminal Minds, Hijack, Hardnoise, and Gunshot and how they influenced rave culture

Part Two coming soon.

Support the show

https://www.youtube.com/@ControlledWeirdness
https://open.spotify.com/artist/20nC7cQni8ZrvRC2REZjOI
https://www.instagram.com/controlledweirdness/
https://controlledweirdness.bandcamp.com/

Theme song is Controlled Weirdness - Drifting in the Streets
https://open.spotify.com/track/7GJfmYy4RjMyLIg9nffukt

Hosted from a South London tower block by Neil Keating aka Controlled Weirdness. Tales from a Disappearing City is a chance for Neil to tell some untold subcultural stories from past and present, joined by friends from his lifelong journey through subterranean London. Neil is a veteran producer and DJ and has been at the front line of all aspects of club and sound system culture since the mid 80’s when he first began to go to nightclubs, gigs, and illegal parties. His musical CV includes playing everywhere from plush clubs to dirty warehouses as well as mixing tunes on a variety of iconic London pirate radio stations. He has released music on numerous underground record labels and was responsible for promoting and playing at a series of legendary early raves in the USA at the start of the 90’s. He still DJ's in the UK and throu...