Off the Rails 16/05/08 - MATT HARDWICK, JOHN ASKEW, SEAN TYAS + more!!!!

[off the rails]

OFF THE RAILS @ THE PLUG, SHEFFIELD - Friday 16th May

After the huge success of our last event Off the Rails has again raised the bar even further and brings you what can only be described as our biggest line up yet. It is with great pleasure we announce that the one and only MATT HARDWICK will finally be back in Sheffield to rip it up as only he knows how!!! Matt’s illustrious association with the global phenomenon that is Gatecrasher has seen Matt play at some of the greatest events the world of clubbing has to offer. Whether it be playing at the sell-out Don Valley stadium gig in front of 28,000 people on New Years Eve 2000 or playing to 15,000 people at the amazing Gatecrasher NEC events- Matt has seen it all. With such an accolade Matt is certain to blow the lid off ‘Off the Rails’ in style.

Next up we have man of the moment, production wizard and YES, OUR NEW RESIDENT………..SEAN TYAS!! He’s literally played everywhere: Norway, Finland, Sweden, Turkey, England, Ireland, Scotland, Poland, Argentina, Australia, Ibiza, Indonesia, Switzerland, Canada, Germany, Italy, and of course America. The man responsible for some of the most driving and melodic tunes of recent years is coming back to OTR; can you say the same?!

In addition to this we have one of the hottest tech/trance DJ/producers in the world? A DJ whose record label is firmly established as being one of the most influential and highest quality the industry has to offer. JOHN ASKEW, the driving force behind the DISCOVER label, is next up to take control of the decks and deliver some of that unmistakeable sound that makes DISCOVER what it is. A truly international player yet again, what more reason could you need for making 16th May the date of your next OTR mission? You know it makes sense!

Lastly, but by no means least, we have another of the residents here at OTR, KRYZTOW DE FIER. Receiving recent support from clubbing godfather PAUL OAKENFOLD, other A-list jocks on the global DJ circuit and remixing work for PERFECTO this guy is definitely one to watch and perfect to finish off the line up for what is destined to be a night to remember!!
See you down the front!

The OTR team
xx

WWW.OFFTHERAILS-ONLINE.CO.UK
www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=5691726972

£12.50 Adv // More on the door
- £10 Nus OTD

 

[off the rails]

OFF THE RAILS – Review – 4th April​

​

The Thrillseekers​

Jon O’Bir​

Genix​

Art of Noise​

​

Arriving at OFF THE RAILS, it’s a welcome sight to see a packed dance-floor and friendly crowd with an electric atmosphere. Jon O’Bir was warming things up with an infectious set bursting with energy and drive. The ethereal notes from ‘Cressida – 6AM (Kyau vs Albert)’ cascade from the speakers, drenching the early crowd with some heartfelt emotion. Setting the tone for the night, O’Bir looks to be loving every moment as he expertly weaves his way from melodic progressive to more peak time material from the likes of Paul Miller and Tom Colontonio. The lighting was impressive, with green lasers and spotlights flashing across the buoyant crowd. A large visual screen projects vibrant images as O’Bir drops recent Vandit release – ‘Greg Downey – Stadium’ which gets a great reception.

An intimate yet well laid out club, the focus is all on the dance-floor and its hard not get caught up in the searing atmosphere. Ambient blue UV-lighting casts its glow amongst the descending fog created by the smoke machine. Smiles a plenty, the crowd is a friendly mix of clued up clubbers, students and locals. Willing you to dance, O’Bir keeps it thriving with Paul Van Dyk’s new single, ‘Let Go’ featuring Rea Garvey’. Having recently been signed to Van Dyk’s record label- Vandit, Jon O’Bir is making a name for himself on the production front alongside his undoubted DJ ability. With forthcoming tracks, ‘I Need You’ and ‘Ways and Means’ and a host of worldwide gigs the future looks very promising for Jon O’Bir. After his set Jon had this to say about the night:

'I really enjoyed the off the rails gig. It was great to see a packed UK dance floor, loving the trance! Another new night in Yorkshire proving to be a success already! I was really pleased to see the reactions on forthcoming conspiracy track 'Derelict - Voice of hope', my new Vandit release ‘Ways and Means' and the stunning 'Remember' by Activa!’

Following Jon O’Bir was Steve Helstrip from the Thrillseekers who is responsible for some of the scenes biggest releases of all time, including the all time classic, ‘Synaesthesia’. Kicking the club into a groove he drops the latest Dave 202 remix of Aethna 'Enigma' – a powerful cut that has the hefty sound system reverberating with seismic bass. His opening period delivered some truly euphoric moments interspersed with a constant unrelenting rhythm. The female vocal from Oceanlab – Sirens of the Sea makes waves in all the right places, drifting into the mix with consummate ease. With seamless mixing throughout, Steve Helstrip knows exactly which tracks will do the damage on the dance-floor. Taking things in a techier direction he brings in Bryan Kearney’s remix of ‘John O’Callaghan - Rotterdam' – a rambunctious bass driven track that rasps from the speaker like an industrial machine. Teasing the crowd with trance infused cuts he builds the tempo, whilst jumping around the DJ booth with unquenched enthusiasm. Steve commented after the gig:

‘What a rare treat to play such a friendly, intimate club! Had a blast. Some of the biggest tunes of the night were Embrace 'Embrace', Simon Patterson 'Smack' and Cartel ‘Buenos Aires’. Hope to do it all again some day!’

Up next were the residents, the Art of Noise (Alex Oldale & Greg Morris). Opening with the orchestral ‘Requiem’ the intro climbs to a crescendo, signalling a change in musical direction. Raising their arms along with the crowd they conduct the symphonic break before the beat drills back in and the dance-floor ignites. Punchy percussion and a bouncy electro-tinged bass-line keep things rocking as they drop Rank 1’s ‘And Then’. The tech laced beats continue with the rumbling production, ‘Kracken’ from David Forbes. Before the familiar melody from ‘Plastic Boy - Silver Bath (Ben Gold)’ arrives to a great reception.


With succinct mixing throughout the Art of Noise bridge the gap between trance and techno, producing energetic and emotive elements in equal measure. The classic, ‘Tic Toc’ by ‘Klea’, revived with a rework from Indecent Noise thumps from the speakers with intent. The anthemic hook rising to prominence before an updated mid section comes to the fore, complimented by a crisp, galloping beat. As the ascending riff from ‘Mike Shiver – Fallen Apocalypse’ soars from the sound system, the crowd- arms aloft, cheer in appreciation. Soon after a driving techy low end with abrasive stabs is introduced, the resonating bass line jacking you up before throwing your body round as if caught in an all consuming tidal wave. Alex and Greg adopt a knowing look before the break from their debut track, ‘Defcon pres. Art of Noise – Malfunction’ erupts from the speakers. An impressive track, it uses a spine tingling melodic interlude whilst reaching a climatic peak before the filth ridden bass surges forth like an untamed beast. Closing their set in style the Art of Noise have delivered another fine session of beat therapy.

Final set duties were given to Passion resident, Genix. Having built a strong following at the super-club over a number of years, he has recently played a number of high profile gigs across the country. Breaking into the mainstream with his rework of ‘Red Hot Chilli Pepper’s -Waiting For’, his productions have been thrashed by all the major DJ’s. He is also the Guinness World Record holder for the longest DJ set in history – a mammoth 84hr set! The still busy main room proceeded to lap up his frenetic, techy style. Blending in tried and tested cuts through to his own remixes Genix works the crowd into a frenzy. His recent rework of ‘A & N Project - Just When I Think There's An Answer’ kicks with brute force, maintaining a filthy but crisp path.

Allowing for close crowd interaction, Genix, smiles at clubbers from the DJ booth, beckoning them to dance with each slamming track. After dropping the classic break from ‘CaféDel Mar’, he unleashes further tech splintered tracks to great adulation. His electro blazed remix of ‘Vadim Soloviev - Stay With Me’, goes down a treat, as does his beefy interpretation of ‘Sander Van Doorn – Dozer’. The crowd go suitably ballistic by the time ‘4 Strings - Take Me Away (Re-Ward Dub)’ drops. Keeping the tempo fierce and unforgiving, Genix played an emphatic closing set and had this to say afterwards:

'My first experience at OFF THE RAILS was great! Better than I expected to be honest... Nice venue and a nice crowd! I got the chance to play a few of my own new tracks including 'Piranha', also some other big tracks were the Cosmic Gate mix of Oceanlab – Sirens of the Sea and a new track from Fabio Stein. Definitely a recommended night out in Sheffield to all you trance mad clubbers out there!

Feeding off the still simmering atmosphere, Genix brought an exhilarating OFF THE RAILS to a fitting conclusion. With Matt Hardwick, John Askew and Sean Tyas up next in May, OFF THE RAILS is quickly establishing itself as one of the best club nights in the UK.

Words: Liam Postlethwaite

 

[off the rails]

3 NEW EXCLUSIVE MIX'S TO DOWNLOAD BY OFF THE RAILS RESIDENTS THE ART OF NOISE AND KRYZTOW DE FIER!!!!

ART OF NOISE
April Promo
01) JACKSOW :: NOICE
02) MARCOS :: REALITY (MARCOS REWORK)
03) JONAS STEUR :: UNLEASH
04) RANK 1 VS JOCHEN MILLER :: AND THEN..
05) MIKE KOGLIN :: DIRTY MONSTER (RICHARD DURRAND RMX)
06) MARCO V :: DUDAK (FILO & PERI)
07) MIKE FOYLE PRES. BOLT :: PLEASURE TO YOUR EARS (M6)
08) MARCEL WOODS :: ON FIRE
09) PAUL WEBSTER :: ENGAGED (ALEX KUNNARI)
10) DAVID FORBES MEETS DR WILLIS :: THE KRACKEN
11) EDDIE SENDER :: ALIEN CITY
12) INDECENT NOISE :: BAKKSTABBER
13) KAMUI :: ELECTRO SLUT
14) BARRY JAY :: SECOND NATURE (JOEY V)

Kryztow De Fier
Deliverance
1) Deadmau5 - Alone Wint You
2) Andrew Bennett - Area Codes (M.I.K.E.'s Undergroove Remix)
3) Messler - Prepare (Cosmic Gate B2B3 Edit)
4) Leon Bolier - Ocean Drive Boulevard
5) Gordon Coutts - Zulu
6) Ernesto & Bastian - Super Juipiter (Original Mix)
7) Randy Boyer - Set It Off
8) Barry Jay - Accelerate (Orginial Mix)
9) Solar Paradise - Kaleidoscope (Barry Jay Mix)
10) Nish - Blue Sunshine (Sean Tyas Remix)
11) Aly & Fila - Lost Language
12) Kryztow De Fier - Street Fighter
13) Simon Patterson - Smack

Kryztow De Fier
Narcotic
1) Sied Van Riel - Malibeer
2) Above & Beyond - Sirens of the Sea (Cosmic Gate Mix)
3) Sied Van Riel & Huinink - Minimal Symphony
4) Sied Van Riel & Leon Bolier - Flame Within the Pipe
5) Alex Bartlett - Off the World (Super8 & Tab Mix)
6) First State - Your Own Way (First State Pounding Club Mix)
7) Kryztow De Fier - Industry
8) Gilbert Renoir - Follow Me (Alex Morph Mix)
9) Markus Schulz - Perfect (Agnelli & Nelson Mix)
10) Timmy & Tommy - Full Tiltin (joc Mix)
11) DJ Tommyboy - Insider (Ben Gold Mix)
12) Paul Miller - Crystal Source

TO DOWNLOAD GO TO - http://www.offtherails-online.co.uk/downloads.html

 

[off the rails]

Not long now guys, its approaching fast. Rest assured you can expect more of this and more!!! Its gonna go off with a bang. See you at the front!

 

[off the rails]

SEAN TYAS INTERVIEW -
"What are your current top 5 favourite tracks?
1. Thomas Bronzwaer – Titan
2. Sophie Sugar - Redemption
3.Armin van Buuren - Going Wrong (Sean Tyas Remix)
4. Sean Tyas vs Simon Patterson – ID
5. Inertia – The System

What are your musical influences?
I guess old school Paul van Dyk, the way he played as we were basically growing up in the scene in the late 90s, early 2000s.
I'm learning to DJ - have you got any advice for Traffic Magazine readers who are
thinking of becoming DJs?
Sure, get into production as well, learn both sides of the music, studio and DJ booth. It’s become so much more important these days, plus you can always bring that extra something that is only yours to the decks!
Which DJs do you most enjoy being on a line up with?
Simon Patterson, Greg Downey, John O’Callaghan, John Askew, and of course, my brother Ryan when in New York.
What do you think the future holds for trance music?
It’s here to stay! To this day I still can’t get my rocks off to any other style on the dancefloor like I can with trance. It really brings to the table something for everyone. And with that, comes longevity.
What music do you listen to in your spare time apart from trance?
Whatever music happens to be playing in the background of video games.
You have recently become a quarterly resident for OFF THE RAILS (next event 16th May). Are you looking forward to this residency?
Hell yeah, I love the guys that put on that party, and after my first experience there last year; such an amazing crowd, as in unpretentious and seemingly all there for the right reasons, that’s exactly where I want to be playing repeatedly.
What piece of DJ equipment could you not live without?
My Sennheisser HD25 Headphones.- after switching from the Sony MDRs, I have lost my “next morning headaches”.
As a clubber, what would be your favourite night (anywhere in the world)?
Any place not playing minimal.
(Do you have a crazy or eccentric side that we should know about?
Oh, I think everyone knows about it by now.
Can we wrap up the interview with a passing comment? By becoming a resident DJ in Sheffield... you have made the Hallam Raver’s Society very happy! And for that, we would like to make you an honorary member. See you at the front!
Ah definitely!!! When I’m not playing I’ll more than likely be at the front WITH you!"
(Traffic magazine, Issue 10, p32, www.trafficmag.org)

 

[off the rails]

Its this friday guys, gonna be amazing. Get your tickets in early to avoid disappointment!!!