Hard House History

In this episode of Hardhouse History, Paul Glazby is joined by one of the defining female voices of the hard house era, Tara Reynolds. From arriving in London in the mid-90s to becoming a staple of the UK hard house scene, Tara's journey is one built on instinct, resilience, and a genuine love for the music.Tara takes us back to her early clubbing days, discovering DJing almost by accident, and overcoming nerves to land her first gigs at house parties and iconic London nights like Fever and Euphoria. What follows is an honest reflection on how talent in DJing goes far beyond beatmatching, covering crowd reading, phrasing, energy, and knowing exactly when to switch things up.The conversation dives deep into her signing with Tidy Trax, a move made purely on reputation before she had even played for the label. Tara shares stories from Frantic, Tidy Weekenders, Brixton Academy foyers, and the rare experience of being one of the standout female DJs in a male-dominated scene. There's also insight into her production work, including the story behind tracks like Mercy, collaborations with Paul Maddox and Steve Blake, and her lone release on Vicious Circle with Paul Glazby.Paul and Tara reflect on life after the peak of hard house, moving continents, balancing family life, and why stepping away from the decks doesn't always mean walking away forever. Tara opens up about returning to DJing on her own terms, playing iconic Australian events like Rewind, and even retraining as a nurse while still being recognised worldwide for her DJ legacy.This episode is a warm, funny, and deeply honest look at longevity in dance music, the realities behind the scenes, and what it means to leave a genuine mark on a culture.Were you there for the Frantic and Tidy era?Which Tara Reynolds track still gives you goosebumps?Should the history of hard house be discussed more?Listen now and be part of the story.#HardhouseHistory #TaraReynolds #HardHouse #DanceMusicHistory #TidyTrax #Frantic #WomenInDanceMusic #90sRave #UKHardHouse #PaulGlazby

In this episode of Hardhouse History, Paul Glazby sits down with one of the true pioneers of underground dance culture, Chris Liberator. From punk squats and anarchist ideals to acid techno warehouses and vinyl-only ethics, this is a deep, honest conversation about how hard music really evolved.Chris traces his journey from growing up in Essex, immersed in punk and anarcho-punk culture, through bands like Hagar the Womb, and into the birth of the acid techno movement. What emerges is a powerful reminder that hard dance did not come from glossy clubs or mainstream house music, but from anger, energy, rebellion, and community.Together, Paul and Chris unpack the often-overlooked crossover between punk, metal, techno, and hard house. They challenge the “official” dance music history and talk openly about why harder sounds resonated with outsiders, misfits, and ravers who wanted more than a head-nod groove. This episode dives into Stay Up Forever, squat parties, vinyl culture, and the family-first ethos that shaped the UK’s underground scene.Chris also shares insight into working with long-time collaborators like Sterling Moss and Henry Cullen, the discipline of unlearning traditional musicianship to create proper techno, and why vinyl still matters. There's honest discussion around careers versus culture, mental health, genre tribalism, and what happens when scenes grow, fracture, and evolve.The episode wraps with a look at Chris's brand-new collaborative album with Sterling Moss, including the long-awaited track "We Are The Freaks," a release born of years of trust, friendship, and shared philosophy rather than hype.This is not just an interview, it’s a history lesson, a reality check, and a celebration of underground music done the hard way.JOIN THE REVOLUTION Did punk and metal influence your taste in dance music? Vinyl or digital, where do you stand? Is underground culture stronger without career pressure?Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.#HardhouseHistory #ChrisLiberator #AcidTechno #HardDance #UndergroundMusic #StayUpForever #RaveCulture #VinylOnly #TechnoHistory #PaulGlazby

This episode of Hard House History is deeply personal, as Paul Glazby sits down with his longtime friend Tim Tom, a pivotal figure not just in Paul's DJ journey but also in his life beyond the music. Their friendship spans nearly three decades and began on the dancefloor at Rise in Sheffield, a club that helped shape an entire generation of hard house culture.What starts as a nostalgic walk through early clubbing memories quickly becomes an honest and powerful conversation about identity, anxiety, creativity and transformation. Tim shares his journey from rock bands and social anxiety into the rave scene, discovering freedom, connection and self-expression through hard house and club culture. These experiences were not just nights out; they became formative moments that shaped confidence, purpose and community.The episode explores the behind-the-scenes reality of early DJ life, record shopping rituals, house parties that became training grounds, and the raw, unfiltered energy of Sheffield's late 90s scene. Paul and Tim reflect on how those years forged lifelong friendships and creative ambition, while also acknowledging the personal struggles that came with it.As the conversation evolves, Tim opens up about stepping away from clubbing, navigating mental health challenges, and ultimately finding a new calling in helping others process trauma and emotional blocks. His story is a reminder that the legacy of hard house is not just found in records or rave memories, but in how the culture helped people find themselves.This episode is about friendship, growth and the lasting impact of hard house culture, long after the music fades.If Hard House History has ever reminded you of where you came from, share this episode with someone who was part of your rave journey and subscribe to keep these stories alive.#HardHouseHistory, #HardHouse, #RaveCulture, #SheffieldClubs, #DJLife, #DanceMusicHistory, #ClubCulture, #OldSchoolRave, #MentalHealthJourney, #ElectronicMusic

Hard House History celebrates its FIRST BIRTHDAY with a truly landmark episode, welcoming one of the most influential figures in UK dance culture, Billy Daniel Bunter. Few guests could better represent the roots, evolution and crossover power of hard house than a DJ who lived through it all, from the late 80s rave explosion to the global hard dance movement that followed.In this episode, Paul and Bunter go deep into the pre-genre era, when dance music lived under one roof and labels like hard house, jungle, trance and techno had not yet split into defined scenes. Bunter shares vivid stories from his teenage years as a resident DJ at Labyrinth and Four Aces, where he played every Friday and Saturday from the age of 15 and unknowingly helped shape the future of multiple genres.The conversation traces how harder sounds evolved organically, with Belgian New Beat, early techno, breakbeat and tougher house all feeding into what would eventually become hard house. Bunter reflects on working with and influencing artists across scenes, including John the Dentist, BK, Rob Da Bank, Mickey Finn and figures from jungle, grime and hardcore, showing just how interconnected the culture truly was.There is also a fascinating deep dive into the origins of the term "Hard Dance," the creation of Bunter's "Future of Hard Dance" album, and how pivotal tracks like "Music Is Moving" and "KY Jelly Baby" helped define a sound that exploded in the late 90s. Bunter speaks candidly about success, ego, scene politics and why hard house both soared and fractured, offering a rare perspective only time can provide.This episode is not just history; it is context. A reminder that hard house did not appear overnight, it was built on years of experimentation, community and fearless DJs pushing boundaries without rules. If you love hard house and the culture behind it, subscribe to Hard House History, leave a review and share this episode with someone who lived the rave years with you.#HardHouseHistory, #BillyDanielBunter, #HardHouse, #HardDance, #RaveHistory, #UKDanceMusic, #DJCulture, #ElectronicMusicHistory, #ClubCulture, #OldSchoolRave #PaulGlazbyPodcast

In this episode of Hard House History, Paul reconnects with long-time friend and hard house pioneer Ben Stevens, marking their first face-to-face catch-up in more than a decade. Fresh off a long-haul flight from the UK to Brisbane for a special gig with Lucy Fur, Ben joins Paul for an honest, hilarious and insight-packed conversation about the scene they helped shape.The pair dive straight into the state of hard house in 2025, from the resurgence of events in the UK to the evolution of Vicious Circle, Tidy and the wider label landscape. Ben unpacks the realities of modern releasing, streaming-focused distribution, and whether iconic imprints like 999 and Neonate could make a meaningful comeback. Together, they explore their most profound shared passion: production, remixing, and the strange magic that made the early era impossible to replicate.From stories of chaotic flights, jet-lagged gigs, missed connections, mental nights at The Arches and The Emporium, to heartfelt reflections on collaborations with Maddox, Frank Farrell, Tim Ribbens and the late Tony De Vit, this episode is packed with decades of history, humour and heart.Ben also opens up about his new full-time role with Pure Energy, what is next for Tidy, why Tidy Weekenders in the UK are gone for good, and what the future of global hard house events could look like. Paul shares new updates on Glasby Time, fresh studio work, long-awaited collaborations, the upcoming remix project, and exciting news about future guests, including Fergie and Tony De Vit's sister.This is a deep dive into friendship, legacy, creativity and longevity in a genre that refuses to fade. A must-listen for old-school ravers and new fans discovering the true roots of hard house.Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe, leave a rating and share Hard House History with a mate who lived through the glory days. Your support keeps the music and the memories alive. #HardHouseHistory, #BenStevens, #PaulGlazby, #ViciousCircle, #TidyTrax, #HardHousePodcast, #UKHardHouse, #RaveCulture, #MusicDocumentary, #DJStories