Hard House History

This week on Hard House History, Paul sits down with Irish hard house pioneer Mark Kavanagh, a name woven deep into the fabric of the late-90s scene. From pirate radio and underground raves in Dublin to chart positions, Trade club connections and releases that helped define the harder sound, this episode is less an interview and more a living archive of how hard house actually spread beyond the UK.
Mark explains how the early Irish rave scene evolved from tiny gatherings into packed venues like the Olympic Ballroom, where hundreds quickly became thousands, and where he eventually went from playing records to producing them. He recalls documenting the scene in magazines and fanzines because, at the time, nobody else was capturing what was happening. 
The conversation dives into the real history of the genre, the pre-digital era of DAT tapes, mailing lists and white labels, and the moment Irish dance floors embraced the harder, faster sound years before UK media took it seriously. Mark also shares how his productions took off after pirate radio repeatedly played his records, turning a studio shed project into a national booking schedule. 
Paul and Mark also unpack Trade’s influence, the origin of the term “hard house”, and how radio, clubs and DJs together created a movement rather than a marketing genre. It’s a fascinating reminder that scenes weren’t built by algorithms, they were built by people travelling, sharing music and handing records directly to each other.
If you want to understand how hard house actually grew internationally, this episode is essential listening.
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In this episode of Hard House History, Paul Glazby sits down with Nick Denton, a name that quietly but profoundly shaped the hard house movement from the mid-90s onward.
From sneaking into clubs at 16 with a fake ID to becoming a resident DJ, producer, label boss, and digital pioneer, Nick's story is one of timing, talent, and relentless curiosity. He talks candidly about cutting his teeth at Southampton's Magnum, early influences like rave tapes, Trade at Turnmills, and being taken under the wing of Paul King, a partnership that led to seminal projects like Overload and Trauma, and eventually to the launch of Toolbox Recordings.
Nick reflects on the white-label era, pressing vinyl by hand, selling records out of car boots, and the moment everything changed with the arrival of digital distribution. Long before it became standard practice, Toolbox became one of the earliest labels to embrace digital platforms, a move that helped future-proof the music while many others struggled to adapt.
The conversation also dives into the realities of burnout, financial risk, and why Nick often worked behind the scenes rather than chasing the spotlight. There's plenty of laughter too, Manchester after-party stories, broken cars, lost nights and the kind of chaos only the hard house scene could produce.
Now, with Toolbox celebrating its 25th anniversary and Nick marking 30 years in the scene, there's a renewed fire. New releases, events, collaborations and a genuine sense that hard house is bubbling again under the surface.
This is a proper deep dive into the history, the hustle and the heart of hard house.
30 Years of Hard House, One Story

Toolbox is back, and so is the fire
 Revisit the sound, the stories and the spirit of hard house
Listen now and subscribe for more Hard House History wherever you get your podcasts

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In this episode of Hardhouse History, Paul Glazby is joined by Eamonn Fevah, one of the key behind-the-scenes figures responsible for shaping UK hard house culture through clubs, labels, and some of the wildest parties of the late 90s and early 2000s.
Eamonn takes us back to 1996, arriving in London from New Zealand on what was meant to be a working holiday, and instead finding himself at the centre of a rapidly exploding clubbing scene. From Sunday daytime clubbing at The Aquarium to after-hours chaos in Soho, this is a story built on friendships, timing, and saying yes to opportunities before realising how big they would become.
The conversation charts the rise of Fevah, from a small membership-based afterparty to sold-out events at The Tube, London Astoria, Ministry of Sound, Heaven, and beyond. Eamonn shares how Fevah unintentionally became a launchpad for some of the most important DJs and producers in hard house and hard trance, including close working relationships with Steve Blake, Dave Parkinson, and a long list of artists who defined the era.
There are incredible stories from international tours, including infamous boat parties to Hamburg, Ibiza takeovers, and the reality of promoting events before social media or digital distribution existed. Vinyl, phone numbers on record labels, and weekly record shop trips were the lifeblood of the scene.
Eamonn also reflects on stepping away from the UK after the London bombings, returning to New Zealand to raise a family, and later helping reignite the scene through modern Fevah events and new music projects. From accidental beginnings to lasting legacy, this episode captures a time when club culture was raw, risky, and driven entirely by passion.
This is not just a DJ story; it's a promoter 's-eye view of how hard house became global.

Were Fevah parties part of your clubbing story?
Vinyl era or digital age, which do you miss most?
Should promoter stories be told more often?
Listen now and relive the chaos.
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In this landmark episode of Hardhouse History, Paul Glazby sits down with Tall Paul, one of the most important and often misunderstood figures in the story of UK hard house and late-night club culture.
While Tall Paul may not always be labelled a "Hard House DJ" by today's definitions, his role in shaping the sound, space, and spirit that allowed hard house to exist is undeniable. As the resident DJ at Trade, held at Turnmills, the club owned by his father, Tall Paul was there at the very beginning, watching underground dance culture transform from a local bar crowd into a movement that redefined nightlife.
Paul and Tall Paul rewind to the late 80s, from pirate radio and record digging to the groundbreaking 24-hour licence that gave birth to Trade. They unpack how that Sunday morning energy, the crowd, the fashion, the lasers, and the music all collided to create something genuinely new. Tall Paul shares rare behind-the-scenes insight into building sets for Trade, the pressure of following DJs like Trevor Rockcliffe and Tony De Vit, and how his own sound helped bridge rave, techno, and what would become hard house.
The conversation also travels far beyond London. Tall Paul reflects on early international touring across Japan, the US, Ireland, and Scotland, the realities of long tours, border issues, and the mental and physical toll of life on the road. There’s honest discussion about burnout, stepping away from DJing, family priorities, and returning on his own terms as a new generation rediscovers the music.
This episode also touches on vinyl versus digital, the evolution of DJ technology, the return of physical releases, and the idea that rave culture, for many, was a form of therapy during a tense and divided era.
This is not just club history; it is cultural history.

Was Trade the true birthplace of hard house?
Vinyl or USB, what defines a real DJ set for you?
Which Tall Paul era stands out the most?

Listen now and step back inside the foundations.
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In this deeply personal episode of Hardhouse History, Paul Glazby sits down with Jayne Parkes, sister of the late Tony De Vit, to explore the man behind the decks and the legacy that helped shape hard house culture forever.
Rather than focusing on tracklists or club nights, this conversation centres on Anthony as a brother, a son, and a human being. Jayne shares rare insight into Tony's early life, his natural musical ability, and the household influences that shaped one of the most important DJs in UK dance music history. From piano lessons and mobile discos to The Nightingale and beyond, the foundations of Tony's journey are laid bare.
Jayne reflects on Tony coming out at a time when being openly gay was far from easy, and how his presence helped bridge the gap between gay and straight club culture, long before it became the norm. There are touching stories about family trips, travelling the country for gigs, and how, despite global success, Tony never changed to those closest to him.
The episode also explores Tony's production work, his studio years, and iconic moments like the Live in Tel Aviv mix, a recording that inspired an entire generation of DJs, including Paul himself. Jayne speaks candidly about the shock of Tony's passing, the reality of the AIDS crisis at the time, and the emotional weight carried by tracks like The Dawn.
There is also reflection on Tony's enduring legacy, from the blue plaque at the Custard Factory to the recent documentary that introduced his story to a new audience. Jayne offers a perspective that no one else can, reminding listeners that behind the legend was a humble, generous, and deeply loved man.
This episode is not just history; it is remembrance.
Where were you when you first heard Tony De Vit?
Is Live in Tel Aviv still the benchmark mix?
What does Tony’s legacy mean to you?

Listen now and remember the origin story.
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