Hard House History

• Phill Smith: Don’t Ever Stop and the Untold Story of Tony De Vit

  In this episode of Hard House History, Paul sits down with filmmaker Phill Smith, the man behind the acclaimed documentary Don't Ever Stop. A lifelong clubber turned BBC documentarian, Phill has spent years piecing together the legacy of one of hard house's most loved and most mysterious figures, Tony De Vit, while also capturing the wild, chaotic and pioneering world of late 90s and early 2000s club culture.Phill takes us back to his underage clubbing days in Leicester, sneaking into Flaming Colossus at 16 to watch Boy George, discovering Passion, Storm and Insomniacs, and collecting flyers that still sit in his archive today. His journey from clubber to filmmaker is equally fascinating, revealing how his time running the Tidy Weekender Diary Room eventually led him to connect with Fergie, Andy, Amadeus, and Tony's sister, Jane, to create one of the most important hard house documentaries ever made.Paul and Phill dive deep into Tony's impact, his unmatched technical skills behind the decks, the genre-defining production work, and the heartbreaking reality that so little footage of Tony exists. Phill shares how the team uncovered rare tapes, long lost radio recordings, and a priceless studio tour filmed by Amadeus, all of which helped shape the documentary's emotional core.The conversation also explores the early days of Tidy, the madness of Sun Essential and Gatecrasher, the legacy of LGBTQ+ influence on club culture, the near-mythical presence of Madders, and the challenges of telling a story where so much history lives only in memory.This is a beautiful, nostalgic and insightful look at the people who shaped a movement, the scenes that shaped a generation, and the stories still being uncovered today.#HardHouseHistory #TonyDeVit #DontEverStop #PaulGlazby #UKClubbing #HardHouse #TidyWeekender #90sRaveCulture #HardDanceLegacy #DanceMusicDocumentary

  --------  

  53:34

  --------

  53:34
• Lashed, Loaded and Back Again: Lisa Lashes and Paul Maddox Return

  In this special UK-recorded edition of Hard House History, host Paul Glazby sits down in the studio with two legends who helped shape the sound of a generation, Lisa Lashes and Paul Maddox, both back for a second honest, hilarious and beautifully nostalgic catch-up. With all three already midway through a studio session, the mics go on and the stories flow instantly.Lisa reflects on her huge year, including the return of Lashed at The Emporium, the event preparation, the buzz of reconnecting with a superclub environment, and the surprise success that has carried into her 2026 calendar. From cleaning cobwebs to repositioning the DJ booth, she talks about reviving the connection and energy that made hard house what it was. She also shares details on her upcoming release on Vicious Circle, the 25-year Orange Euphoria revival, and her growing list of bookings across the UK and Europe.Paul Maddox speaks openly about his move into full-time production and engineering, stepping back from heavy touring and rediscovering his true passion, the studio. He explains why the DJ treadmill no longer inspires him, how working across techno, trance, hard house and beyond keeps his creativity fresh, and why the new wave of hard producers excites him.Together, the three explore how the scene has split and evolved, from the traditional 150-160 BPM style to the new tech and TikTok-influenced hard sound. They discuss the rise of young talent like Pulsar, the genre-blending happening on big UK stages, and whether both generations are slowly merging again.The episode ends with a preview of the brand-new Glazby, Lashes, and Maddox collaboration, created in the same room only moments before recording, offering listeners a first taste of something powerful, melodic, and built for modern dancefloors. Enjoy this episode recorded live in the UK. Hit LIKE, tap SUBSCRIBE and drop a comment if you want the full new track released.#HardHouseHistory #LisaLashes #PaulMaddox #PaulGlazby #UKHardHouse #HardDanceLegends #OrangeEuphoria #ViciousCircleRecords #HardHouseRevival #StudioSession

  --------  

  45:12

  --------

  45:12
• Jon the Dentist: The Untold Story of a Hard House Pioneer

  In this episode of Hard House History, Paul sits down with one of the genre's true originators, Jon the Dentist, for a raw and reflective deep dive into the foundations of the sound that shaped a generation. From the early rave days, to the birth of Baby Doc and the Dentist, to the breakthrough of Global Phases, Jon shares the stories behind the music, the culture, and the chaos that made Hard House what it is.Jon opens up about his early influences, his love of eighties electronica, and how European trance and techno inspired him to experiment with synths long before the term "Hard House" was coined. The pair unpack Jon's creative process, including his legendary sound-categorising system, his unexpected comparison to Depeche Mode, and the spontaneous late-night studio sessions that led to scene-defining releases.There are emotional moments too, as Jon reflects on his friendship with HMS, the origins of his DJ name, and the realities of losing friends and collaborators far too young. His honesty brings a heartfelt layer to an episode that captures the full arc of a career built on passion, experimentation, and a deep respect for the music.Jon also reveals his rebirth as an electronic composer under In Space We Dance and the creation of his new album, The Frontier, inspired by modern progressive house, Vangelis, and cinematic soundscapes. It offers a fascinating glimpse into how an innovator evolves.JOIN THE DENTIST'S CHAIRWhat is your favourite Jon the Dentist or Baby Doc and the Dentist track?Did Global Phases change your dance floor days?Do you miss the raw experimentation of the early studio era?Were you a Trade regular, or did you discover the sound somewhere else? Which synth defined your early rave years?Follow the show, leave a review, and help keep the history of the scene alive.#HardHouseHistory #JonTheDentist #BabyDocAndTheDentist #GlobalPhases #HardHouse #TranceClassics #90sClubCulture #UKRaveScene #ElectronicMusicPioneers #InSpaceWeDance

  --------  

  58:15

  --------

  58:15
• Andy Farley: The Origins of Hard House

  In this episode of Hard House History, Paul Glazby sits down with one of the true pioneers of the genre, the legendary Andy Farley. This chat goes deep into the roots of the sound, the clubs that shaped a generation, and the wild ride that took Hard House from the underground to global recognition.Andy looks back at his early days at Tintin's in Birmingham, where he unknowingly played the blueprint for what the world would later call Hard House. From the gritty mid-'90s basements to the explosion of Sundissential, he breaks down how the sound evolved, how trade defined a culture, and how a scene grew before the name even existed. The stories are raw and honest, from marathon closing sets at 7 am to the chaos, colour and unpredictability that made those clubs unforgettable.The conversation turns to the late 1990s and early 2000s as Paul and Andy unpack the rise, fall, and resurgence of Hard House. They discuss the impact of Tony De Vit, the role of Gatecrasher and the festivals, and how a global shift in club culture reshaped the entire scene. Andy shares the highs and lows of the DJ life, from six-gig weekends to nine-set Easter runs, plus the moment he got accidentally locked in a bathroom moments before a headline set.They also dive into the new era of Hard House, where modern artists like Hannah Laing, Tasia and Carl Starke are bringing fresh energy to the sound. Andy reveals what today's producers are doing differently, how tempos have shifted, and why old and new styles might finally merge.This is a proper history lesson with no fluff, just honesty, great stories and big laughs. If you love Hard House, this episode is essential listening.#HardHouseHistory #AndyFarley #PaulGlazby #HardHouse #UKClubbing #HardDance #TidyTrax #TradeLondon #SundayCentral #HardHouseRevival

  --------  

  1:12:05

  --------

  1:12:05
• Dom Morley: Behind the Mix of Music Legends

  In this episode of Hard House History, Paul sits down with Grammy Award–winning engineer and producer Dom Morley, a man whose fingerprints are on some of the most iconic records of the modern era. From the raw energy of UB40 and Ocean Colour Scene to working alongside Amy Winehouse, Sting, and Adele, Dom shares the extraordinary story of how a kid from the UK, armed with a four-track recorder, ended up in the studio with legends.Dom talks about his humble beginnings recording his teenage band on cassette, the persistence that landed him his first unpaid studio job, and how his “I'll work for nothing and make good tea" attitude led to a career spanning decades. He reflects on those early days assisting at Metropolis Studios in London, including surreal moments engineering sessions for Michael Jackson and Mick Jagger.The episode dives deep into the creation of Amy Winehouse's Back to Black, where Dom's engineering earned him a Grammy. He reveals what it was like capturing Amy's once-in-a-generation voice, the chaos and brilliance of those sessions, and the life-changing luck that comes from "putting yourself in a position to score.”Paul and Dom also explore stories from working with Sting and The Police in Tuscany, the enduring impact of "Valerie," and why creativity is a muscle that must be constantly exercised. Dom shares details about his latest projects, including his mixing consultancy, his new app MultiBand, and his upcoming book on creativity.It's an inspiring conversation about talent, timing, and tenacity, and how hard work behind the glass can change the course of music history.#HardHouseHistory #DomMorley #AmyWinehouse #MusicPodcast #BackToBlack #StudioStories #MusicProduction #GrammyWinner #MarkRonson #BehindTheMix

  --------  

  1:02:36

  --------

  1:02:36

More Business podcasts

Trending Business podcasts

About Hard House History