My name is James Steeley born in Blackpool UK.
I started to listen to house & rave music around 93 and absolutely loved the sound I couldn't get enough! At the time I owned a couple of Fantasiza cassettes that I would play over and over on my journeys to school.
Around this time a friend of mine told me about a new music store in Lancaster that stocked plenty of House & Rave Vinyl I just had take a look... Obviously I was hooked!
It was spring of 1995 when I visited Belguim & Netherlands for the first time, it was on a school history trip where I found and purchased my first gabber cd's. This was a magical experience because as was with my first girlfriend at the time along with other close friends enjoying our holiday in the sunshine whilst listening to these amazing songs for the very first time.
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In 1996 I moved to Milton Keynes the home of Dreamscape & Helter Skelter two large parties located at the Sanctuary later became very famous for UK raves. It was amazing to move to a town that had such a big hardcore scene, at the time my dad's family lived in Stevenage home to United Dance & Hardcore Heaven where we also spent some memorable occasions.
We found plenty of new record stores based in Milton Keynes: Phat Trax Records & in Northampton: Essential Vinyl & Spinadisc records that stocked plenty of UK hardcore & gabber - On my first visit my grandfather bought me a copy of Thunderdome 1996 Anthem amongst some other amazing vinyls on Wazweazle, Aussie and BZRK Black Label it was and still remains to be one of the best days I've every had. Mostly because I spent the whole day with my grandfather searching for all the best vinyls before going for pizza... what a day! Many years later I returned to The University of Northampton to study for a degree in Fine Art.
Its was around 98-99 when me and my friends would take regular city breaks to Belgium & Holland mainly, Antwerp & Rotterdam as both locations were very easy to get to via car or directly by train. We would always visit Mid-Town Records or USA Import records to stock up on all the latest hardcore vinyl and merchandise. It was absoulty amazing sitting outside USA import having a smoke and talking to lots of other gabbers all wearing RTC & Thunderdome Bombers we felt very welcomed and part of their group even though we had just met... this was somthing truly special and highlights what this scene is all about!!
During these holidays we had our first taste of Megarave at the Legendary Energihal and Thunderdome in Antwerp and other locations, these occasions were fucking spectacular!! We couldn't believe the size of the venues and to share the same passion for this music with people from another country was a truly amazing experience!
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In the early 2000s my local records stores begun to close, one by one disappearing from the high street. It was thanks to Simon at Underground Music that kept my vinyl collection alive. Me and my girlfriend at the time or a close friend Tom would travel to Hertfordshire regularly to purchase the latest music.. some of my favourites includes many Megarave & Rige Entertainment Vinyls, Promo Files, Dance Ecstasy / Resident E albums. The car journeys home were always lots of fun.. a bunch of raving lunatics listening to some of the newest sounds going fucking crazy along the way.
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It's because of these experiences I was so keen to create The Hardcore Artist, to combine my passion for painting and the scene was the most logical move. My aim is to use this a platform / vehicle to make new connections all over the global and spark interesting conversations about our new and old experiences. Hardcore has been a massive part of my life from such a young age so I had to share some of my experiences through my art. I guess it's a nice way of being able to remember the past and highlight some of the amazing talented DJ/Producers that have given us all some truly amazing memories. To also celebrate the artists and their artworks i:e Logos, flyers, and other merchandise produced over the years and even up until the present day. Im sure you would all agree that the scene would not have been the same if it wasn't for these individuals and their creations.
Most importantly THE HARDCORE ARTIST wants to connect with people who also share the same passion and love for ART & hardcore music.
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I would like to thank you all so much for your support and let's hope you can all see my artwork first hand at one of gallery shows over the next months and years to come!
P.S - I will also see you on that dance floor. ​
Best Regards James
