(from the hand of Bugged Out! promoter John Burgess)

Like most things in life Bugged Out wasn’t that carefully conceived. It was hastily thrown together after Paul and I were invited by Sankeys Soap in Manchester to quickly take over a failing Friday night. Sankeys’ then manager, Andrew Spiro, had been impressed with some of the parties we had thrown in 1994 for our magazine Jockey Slut. The first was called Drinking Club that was set in a pub and featured a couple of mates who called themselves the Dust Brothers (later to be the Chemical Brothers) playing some records. A run of six parties called Discopogo followed over that summer and the weekly Bugged Out was launched at Sankeys on 24th November with LFO playing live.

Initially the club was attended by a few hundred enthusiastic techno fans but within six months this had tripled. The DJ’s and artists back then included Richie Hawtin, Daft Punk, Andrew Weatherall and Slam who are all still mining the coalface of rave. In 1998 Sankeys closed and we thought that would be the end of the night, instead we were offered a monthly all-nighter at Liverpool’s 2500 capacity Nation. With three rooms to programme we approached it as if booking a little festival every month; there were more live bands, a broader musical spectrum to truly reflect Jockey Slut’s editorial but still a dedicated techno room (the much loved courtyard). On a good night you may have caught an early live appearance by Royksopp in one room, Basement Jaxx DJ’ing in another and Justin Robertson and Dave Clarke hammering it out in the courtyard.

In 1999 we sold Jockey Slut to a London publisher and moved to the capital along with it.  Fabric opened around the same time and we hooked up with the Boutique for a monthly that saw queues around the block to catch DJ sets from the Chemical Brothers and Daft Punk. One person on the dance floor for Daft Punk was Erol Alkan who launched his London residency with us in 2001. There was a brief six-month spell at Heaven later that year – with DJ Hell’s Gigolo showcase featuring Miss Kittin and the Hacker heralding a sea change in dance music. Since October 2002 London’s The End has been our home and we have witnessed memorable performances from Ivan Smagghe, JoJo De Freq, Mylo, Vitalic, Tiga, Miss Kittin and Erol amongst countless others.

We’re constantly amazed at the new talent that keeps emerging in electronic music, each year there are new tunes to cherish and new artists to champion. But, for once, we are having a look back for this, our first retrospective. Bugged Out Classics summarises some of our favourite tracks that have made Bugged Out so special. From 1993 Slam’s classic ‘Positive Education’, through to Green Velvet’s ‘Flash’ and Wink’s ‘Higher State of Consciousness’, to the more recent ‘Who’s Afraid Of Detroit’ by Claude Von Stroke, and the massive ‘We Are Your Friends’ by Justice Vs Simian. Bugged Out are also pleased to provide some ‘first to CD’ exclusive tracks courtesy of The Chemical Brothers and LFO. Here comes the music!

‘Bugged Out! Classics’ will be released on New State Music.

Mikas: An Uncommon Composer

Vancouver, Whistler Canada – July, 2007 – Music is constantly evolving, and throughout the world, revolutions of dance and culture always follow. Over the past three decades Dance Music has continued to evoke the spirit of freedom and expression in all of its fans. Each year, new electronic sub-genres emerge, while promising a vivid assortment of experimental and revolutionary sounds.

Progressive House artist Mikas is a prime example of this growing fraternity of musicians, but it’s his unique composition techniques and uncommon sound which bring his breed of music worldwide attention.  Being the Founder and Owner of popular label Progressive Grooves, while consistently presiding at the top of the charts, you could say Mikas has had a good year.

  Mikas does not only own and manage an impressive label, but within a year of his first release, Mikas and his label began receiving unwavering support from world-renown DJ’s like Tiesto, Paul van Dyk, and Armin van Buuren. Lately his “Emotional Compilation EP” became an international hit with critics and listeners alike, debuting at No. 3 on Sony’s U.S. Connect Charts. The universal excitement surrounding Mikas continues to grow, celebrating and appreciating the years of hard work and sacrifice endured for his success.

When speaking to Mikas on his passion of Progressive Dance Music, it was clear how his love for the genre was special, and one of the reasons his music is full of such emotion:

“I personally think it is the most innovative, and sometimes most spectacular type of dance music, where there is simply no boundaries. Anyone can go to a club and enjoy a talented Progressive DJ, which in my opinion simply isn’t the case with other genres of Electronica.”

Mikas is devoted to preserving the heart and soul in Dance Music, while others are definitely taking notice. His dexterity and flexibility put him at the forefront of today’s scene, while inspiring other artists to work with him. Today he manages the multitude of talent Progressive Grooves & X Series shares, as they continue their contribution to the evolution of Electronic Dance Music for the masses.

This summer Mikas will be dedicating the duration of his time in the studio, as well as venturing across North America and Europe this fall for a large scale Tour. Fans and Critics alike are giving great support to the new label X Series which will be featuring fresh faces and veterans alike, all incomparable in talent and originality. Also be sure to keep your eye on www.xseriesrecords.com for its debut opening!

If you are curious to check out some exceptional music, then make sure to visit www.beatport.com or your favorite MP3 Store. This September will mark the premier of the long anticipated follow up to the triumphant EP Emotional Compilation Volume I. This round, Volume II has endowed a supreme roster of special guests, rewarding the followers of the early work while ushering in new ears to the distinctive sound of Mikas and company.  

 Emotional volume l 1Promo Set: www.progressivegrooves.com/mp3/mikas_emotional_promo320.mp3.

You can catch him spinning live on his weekly internet radio stream at www.Pure.fm

Published by:

public@xseriesrecords.com
Progressive Grooves
www.progressivegrooves.com