Besides Brian Belle-Fortune’s 13 year old jungle bible All Crews, no other books have even attempted to grasp the widescreen scope of drum & bass’s true history, its musical and cultural melting pot, its roots, movement and most influential exponents. Until now…
As the genre hits 25 years of age and shows no signs of tempering, simmering or slowing down, two respected UK music writers and current/previous DJ Mag editors Carl Loben and Ben Murphy have set out to research and write the genre’s most definitive document to date. It’s called Renegade Snares (cool name) and it’s had the backing from the very top: None other than Goldie is writing the foreword. Here’s how Carl and Ben describe their mission…
Renegade Snares tells the whole tale. It charts this extraordinary genre from its fiery beginnings, through its mainstream acceptance and periodic movements back into the underground, gaining unique insights from all the scene’s biggest players — both established and brand-new.
This is no mean feat if you consider just how many ways our favourite genre has evolved into so many exciting mutations and infiltrated so many forms of music, culture and art. Promising the stories of artists from Dillinja to Calibre by way of Randall, Ed Rush & Optical, LTJ Bukem, Andy C and many more, Renegade Snares will document and immortalise crucial moments and fusions in time that have led to the where we are now.
The book is already underway but the writers require a little help bringing it to life so have set up a crowdfunding account on Unbound. Besides the fulfilling feeling of investing in a real piece of history that’s yet to be fully documented in print form, there are a few cool perks including a signed London Elektricity dubplate.
Drum&BassArena approved: it’s high time our genre had its complex and unique history documented and our story was told. Get involved.