0-db - Lexicon

There's no doubt about it, the scene is strong at the moment. We've witnessed drum and bass tunes enter the mainstream radio playlists more and more over the last few months, too many quality tunes to mention all round and a crop of new promoters coming forward as the vibes at raves reach boiling point once again. Enter new promoter 0-db…

0-db landed with their first party on 13 april at the Rex, in Stratford, East London. Promoter Kate has a wealth of experience in the music scene and helped to establish Natural Born Chillers a few years back with their dance chart topper 'Rock The Funky Beat'. On the promotion front she has been co-organising parties in Croydon for a time alternating between drum & bass and house policies. She has even spent time out in Egypt - doing what most people could only dream of - putting parties on in an oasis, whilst becoming a teacher of scuba diving too.

Bashment K is Kate's deejay alias and she can be found warming up the 0-db sessions, playing at other various events and hosting a show on net radio station UK Rumble. As well as a line-up of top jocks the 0-db premier included a live PA by Echo & Braveman. 'Every Massive' performed by Echo is soon to be released, whilst 'Heaven & Hell' by Braveman is forthcoming on Solid Vinyl. 0-db the label is also in the pipeline, so watch out for material by Bashment K and other artists.

More events are planned at the moment but with venue details pending watch the name 0-db.

I arrived at 0-db around 10pm, there was already a queue of happy ravers eagerly awaiting the fat line up promised during the next 9 hours. The security was tight but polite. As I came through the door into the main arena my eyes were drawn straight above the stage to a huge wide screen with the 0-db logo buzzing about with mad shapes, colours and effects. As I looked down at the stage I couldn't believe for a first time event how much effort had gone into the stage, which had been completely built up with a forbidden temple theme. On the dance floor there were already loads of people raving away and as I took in the atmosphere I thought 'wow' this is gonna be a wicked night!

Bashment K and Probe kicked off the night hitting the already raving massive with fresh beats, then came Darren J setting the pace for Nicky Blackmarket who played with flair and excitement. Swan-E's set smashed it followed by Mickey Finn, say no more! Then came Brockie who left the decks hot, Bryan G's bouncing beats got the crowd going mad and Kane wiped up the last hour.

All night the decks were on fire and the lazer light show was amazing, which was really getting the ravers going. This was only encouraged by the top TNT dancers on stage dressed in black and red leather or very little of it. But the highlight of the night had to be the live PA with Echo & Braveman which was wicked, with Echo his usual chilled out self and Braveman bouncing all over the place!

Everything about the night was top class, and the crowd was still dancing at the end. As I was leaving I heard a bouncer say 'the vibe inside was the best The Rex has seen in two years'. All I wanna know is when's the tape pack coming out and when's the next 0-db?

Review by Deborah Osband