Imagine being at the dawn of rave. That may well make it sound like the day after man created fire but when you actually think about it, it was pretty much 20 years ago. We've been partying for a looooong time! One man that's been partying longer, and harder than most is 'Crazy Grant' from rave outfit Epidemik, who will be bringing his inspired party to the massive Extreme Euphoria vs Hardcore Euphoria night at Heaven, London on Friday November 16th.

Known to and loved by pretty much everyone on the scene, Grant has been raving with the very best of them since illegal parties first kicked off all over the English countryside. His passion for the music at the very heart of our weekend is clear for anyone to see, and speaking to him it's also evident that he pretty much lives by the ravers' PLUR philosphy. Don't know what that is? Then read on party people because it damn well makes some sense...

So Grant, what makes an Epidemik party so good?

Well we cover a wide range of music styles from old skool rave (covering house, hardcore, jungle etc) thru to the nu-breaks stuff & drum & bass etc & we attract people of all ages & walks of life – just the way it used to be back in ‘88 :)

You’ve got pretty much the whole of rave on your line-up – how do you make sure that the music flows across the night from one style to the next?

We usually take on a musical journey & progress thru the years i.e. for this Euphoria event we will be going from 88 acid house thru to 98 hardcore with a hint of jungle flava in the middle.

Is promoting a hard job or is it just a question of building up a load of mates and inviting them to come down?

Promoting is very, very, very hard indeed, people just don’t understand sometimes how much goes into parties – so my hats off to anyone who runs events on any level & that’s why over the years I have helped many a promoter & club try to create some wicked parties. It can take all your time, money, (hair!!) & soul but it can be worth it (so they tell me).

As for friends it’s great but they will all want to get in for free ;)

You guys had a room at the last Hardcore Euphoria. What is it about this particular party that makes you want to come back again?

It’s good for us to get involved with events/promoters such as yourselves on the hard dance & trance scene so we can merge our crowds & vibes & try and unite clubbers. The last event @ Ministry I feel did that very well and was a big success and it was good to see UK hardcore music in a mainstream London super club.

You say on your MySpace page that you’ve pretty much lost the love for modern day dance music. Feel free to rant…

Not really... I love music of all styles & types from all ages of sound, and there is alot of new fresh talent out there. It’s very accessible for anyone these days to make music which is good thing. What I was getting at is the magic of the early rave years... 87-89 the mystery of driving around to find an illegal party and not really knowing what music yet alone what DJ you would be listening to & even for how long the party would last. Meeting like minded people etc… It’s like the 1960’s it’s only happened once, but we are left with a dance industry which sometimes looses its way with a too corporate feel & predictable-ness :( (Basically me being an old git).

What do you think is missing in the club scene today?

What’s missing is LOVE …

If you could bring back one party in particular which one would it be and why?

I would bring back Labyrinth (4aces) Dalston, London – Weekly home to many a raver during the 90’s.

Who in your opinion is the greatest DJ of all time

Hmmmmmmmn difficult as I love them all from Carl Cox, Fatboy Slim, to Sy, to Hype, to Scratch Perverts etc and lots of DJs of all different music styles... Me being cheesy and keeping to the old skool rave scene I would say Ratpack as they still smash it as showmen after doing it for over 20 years. But I respect DJs & producers on all levels and anyone who tries something different to make people dance & feel the music they play & have a good time. With laptops, Mp3s, CDJs, Fx units, live-VJs etc and good old vinyl there are so many mediums to play & try to be different with your act.

What would be your perfect Epidemik line-up?

Would like to book Prodigy one day … but .pidemik is not about lineups as such... It’s about the party people, the vibe, production & sound, dancers etc – the ravers are the true stars in my eyes & always will be – and we can book mainstream legends alongside some fresh new talent – it’s just about the music & party people really not necessarily who is playing it.

Would you rather have a party in a club or a field (and why)?

Clubs are good as they are 100% legal, have safety in mind like security & medics etc... But fields are where our scene was born around the M25... But too much music segregation has gone on and people who put on some dodgy outdoor parties i.e. leaving rubbish, creating noise pollution etc does not help matters for people who try to do “legal” outdoor parties, as in the eyes of the law we are all the same. But there will always be a new rebel outfit who want to re-invent the wheel :). We fought for our right to party & hence now that’s why clubs are licensed all night at rave land & club land has merged to hopefully get the best of both worlds these days. Which is why I am proud to put the old skool sounds & ravers in one of the most commercial clubs in the world – Ministry Of sound – CATCH our 12th Birthday 7th December, Ministry. Years ago you had dress code for clubs & only went on to 2am with top of the pops music – gosh how things have changed. The smoking ban could shed new interest in outdoor parties especially this summer – watch this space :)

Did you have a defining moment on the dance floor when you thought f*ck me, this is what it’s all about?

Every weekend is that moment for me & for the last 20+ years to see clubbers & ravers having a good time.

In 50 words, why should people come to Extreme Euphoria vs Hardcore Euphoria?

Because its good, Because its good, Because its good, Because its good, Because its good, Because its good, Because its good, Because its good, Because its good, Because its good,
Because its good, Because its good, Because its good, Because its good, Because its good, Because its good, Because its good, Because its good, GET YOURSELFS DOWN THERE (That’s 50+ words)

Finally, what is PLUR???

• Peace - Letting go of fear and living at peace with oneself, one another, and the planet for a greater good.
• Love - As one learns to love oneself, one is able to love everyone else unconditionally.
• Unity - A mutual, corporate bond is formed resulting from the love and peace experienced with one another.
• Respect - Because of peace love and unity, one can accept others regardless of their beliefs or background
(quote from Hyperreal, Netraver, etc)

Many thanks & see you on 16th @ Heaven & 7th Dec @ Ministry.

Crazy Grant epidemik
www.myspace.com/grantepidemik