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Release Radio Underground Dance Music From The UK
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Acid Cats
| Wednesday | 10:00 pm | trending_flat | 12:00 am |
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Richie and James herald from Portsmouth and have been involved in the clubbing scene since the late 1980s. Music was a big part of their growing up, with Richie favoring reggae and James leaning towards hip hop. As electro and early house made its inroads to the UK, their musical paths shifted to embrace the emerging house and techno scene.
Richie began organizing illegal raves in the woods around the Portsmouth postcode, while James was gaining experience at local clubs and bars. Their paths eventually crossed when Richie co-promoted the Sunday Sessions and invited James as a guest DJ after he became a runner-up in a national DJing competition run by Mixmag. Although they operated in the same circles, their friendship was not immediate.
It took years of crossing paths and shared experiences before their bond truly solidified. During this time, both pursued their own musical journeys. James drifted in and out of the music scene before adopting the moniker Scientific Funk and recording for labels like Wiggle, Cubism, and Something Different. His tracks gained recognition, with DJs like Richie Hawtin, Carl Cox, and Terry Francis spinning his music. Meanwhile, Richie hosted a radio show on another station, which reignited their connection.
Their collaboration deepened when they released music under the name Cactus Jack on Nathan Cole’s label, Is This?. They also began partying together at iconic events such as Wiggle and Superfreq. Despite James stepping away from music again, Richie continued to refine his production skills, eventually seeking James’s help in 2021 to complete some tracks. Initially hesitant, James was eventually persuaded, and the duo began making music together every weekend.
The partnership flourished, and they formed Acid Cats, recording for labels such as Household Digital, Analytic Records, and Aquamelon. They also secured a forthcoming release on Mr. C’s Superfreq label, scheduled for early 2025. Their sound, heavily influenced by the Roland 303, is characterized by infectious dancefloor tracks that range from vocal house to techno.
