Having pioneered electronic music from the '90s and into the millennia, Juno Reactor has driven a generation of dance music fans. Their eclectic sound has taken many forms, and now taking centre stage for Psychedelic Academy this Sunday 3 May, Mike Maguire prepares to bring a taste of two decades of trance to the Fridge...
Juno Reactor was originally formed as an art project in 1990 so Ben Watkins could collaborate with more artists. When did you first meet Ben and start playing with the band?
We met in 1988 through record distribution. I used to export underground dance music all over the world and he had projects Electrotete and Psycho Slaphead on the go. I spent a few years in Goa and started working with him in 1992 on Hi NRG Protons.
You’ve been DJing for over 30 years and in that time the way we play, produce, promote and distribute music has completely changed. Have you embraced the changes in technology or would you rather the digital age had never happened?
Records, Sony professional walkmans (cassettes), DAT, CD and traktor. All at one time if there are enough lines to the mixer. I hope there will be decks at the next gig!
Juno Reactor released their first single ‘Laughing Gas’ in 1993. How has your sound evolved over the last 16 years? How would you describe what you play?
Hypnotic beats and heavy bass.
Your first album ‘Transmissions’ (1993) is considered to be one of the first great Goa trance albums released. Did you realize at the time you were helping create a new genre?
We just did what was exciting for us— there wasn’t really a genre.
What influences contributed to ‘Transmissions’? Did you actually spend any time in Goa before its production or was ‘Goa’ a state of mind?
I was in Anjuna at that time. The parties were incredible and not just in Goa but everywhere.
What was the Goa trance scene like when it first started off? And what do you think it’s mutated into in the 21st century?
1989 was my introduction to Goa. The parties played all kinds of music —Yello, Talking Heads, acid house, Belgian new beat — a very diverse selection. Now it is more genre-orientated.
You were involved with three albums in the five years you were with Juno Reactor. Which is your favourite and why?
I love them all. I’m really proud to have been involved. ‘Guardian Angel’ always brings back great memories of Bowl Court (the studio in east London).
You actually left Juno Reactor in 1997 after Ben allegedly threatened you with a gun over a difference in ideas. Do you still play together at all or do you stick to the psy trance and him to the band?
It’s all interwoven together. We see each other all the time. No weapons involved these days.
You played at some of the first underground psychedelic trance parties in London such as ACID. What’s your craziest story from back in the day?
Just hangin out with Ian who put those parties on was crazy enough! ACID was a great party — you could almost see the pavement moving as you entered Cowper Street, it was so loud. It had a brilliant sound system and was hotter than hell inside.
What artists, musical or otherwise, have inspired you over the years? Where else do you find your inspiration?
So many… T. Rex, Bowie, Prince, UR, Dub Syndicate, Kojak, lots of funk and soul from the late ’70s. house and techno from the ’80/90’s.
You’ve spent a lot of time in Japan over the years. Why is this and do you still get out there much?
The Japanese festivals and nightclubs are some of the best — amazing sound systems, they really take care of the fine detail to make a night visually and sonically exciting.
The festival season is almost upon us again. What’s been your favourite festival over the years?
Any of the Japanese festivals for organisation and settings. Space Gathering organisers Masa and Ree K really put so much love and effort into their outdoor festivals. And Longleat in the Sacred Grove, 1994.
Psychedelic Academy marks your first London set in one and a half years. What else have you been up to in that time?
Just back from India learning how to cook a mean fish curry and rice.
Your first DJ compilation was called Ojimojo — can we expect plenty of Oji-san magic on 4 May?!
Oji is looking forward to it. He comes everywhere with me.
Will you play some of your classics at Psychedelic Academy on 4 May or will your set be mainly new material?
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Juno Reactor DJ Set By Mike Maguire
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Talamasca
Solar System X.S.I Xtra.Sound.Independant
Mojo
Kristian Compressor
Nasti Moto
Sutekh Gaba
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Zeus Sati Andi Leppard Matt Loraine
Phil Lankester Aka Libra 9
Sonique
Psykinetic
Aulday
Chris Liberator
Julian Gas
Nick Grater
DJ Centurian Kito Kymo
Diego cK
Diego Coelho
Funkhead Fred
DJJU
Kristina Wesley Razzy
Maya Tekxp
Zwezd@
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