How long have you been DJing?
Steve: I started DJing in 1991. I was really into
the straight-edge hardcore scene and somehow
stumbled onto the “techno” thing. The harder,
faster stuff really appealed to me.
What did you do before you started DJing?
Steve: I was actually a professional snowboarder
- back when you didn’t have to try to kill yourself
on a daily basis to be one.
You have been called the “Godfather” of Denver
Drum’n’Bass. Do you agree with this statement?
Why?
Steve: I think the idea is kind of funny, but I
guess it’s sort of true. I was definitely the first
one out here playing the music and throwing
shows. I just love that Drum & Bass is still
kicking.
Reload has been the face of Drum’n’Bass in
Denver for many years, can you give us a brief
history lesson? How it started?
Steve: Reload was actually the second event
production company I started. The first was
Lowerworld Productions. Under that name, I was
doing the “Rewind” series that started in about
1994. After a handful of years of struggling,
losing money, and ruining my credit (like all
good rave promoters do), I decided to sell the
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name...but I couldn’t stay out of the game. I got
the itch to start doing DnB events again under
the Reload name. It’s like a crack addiction - you
know it’s going to go all wrong, but you just have
to do it. I have always felt a need to stay involved
to help push the music out there. It’s really just
because I like the music and I want others to like
it too. Plain and simple.
You have helped pioneer DnB music in Denver
for almost two decades, what have been some
of the best years? And why?
Steve: It’s hard to say when it was the best because it really depends on how you’re measuring
it. The beginning, in the early 90s always holds a
special place in my mind because it was a whole
new sound. Pioneering a new thing is always
exciting. The late 90s and early 2000s were super fun too, because we had a really strong core
of supporters who we very educated and super
enthusiastic - the Snake Pit “Breakdown” days.
They were legendary. I’d also say it’s really great
right now too though. There are a ton of new kids
learning about DnB because maybe they first
heard dubstep, but then wound up hearing it at
the same show and learned to love it. It’s always
going to be an underground sound.
Reload has made it sixteen years. What is it like
today in contrast to your beginning?
Steve: Today, most younger music fans are
really diverse in their musical tastes. They like
everything. Now we’re promoting to kids who like
all kinds of different music. Back in the “old days,”
if you were a DnB fan, that’s pretty much all you
liked. We’ve been trying to reach out to a wider
fan base because of this. Gravity Fridays at
Beta Nightclub is a great example. On any given
night, you can hear a little bit of dubstep, a little
bit of trap, and we can throw in some DnB too.
What are some of the biggest acts you have
played at a Reload event?
Steve: I think we’ve had just about everyone in
the bass world play for us at one point or another. It’s kind of crazy.
Who are some acts you would like to have come
out for future events?
Steve: We’re trying to throw some more smaller
and intimate shows this year to get back to the
roots a bit again. We’re looking to bring out some
of the artists that might not be able fill a thousand person venue and have been
overlooked for the past few years.
In sixteen years, Reload has seen many changes. What do you see for its future?
Steve: I see losing a lot more money. Haha.