Hardfloor

One of the most popular and well-known German techno artists, Hardfloor is comprised of Oliver Bondzio and Ramon Zenker. Forming in 1991 as the German acid and techno scenes were just beginning to solidify around artists such as Sven Vath, Pete Namlook, David Moufang, and DJ Criss, Bondzio and Zenker came together at the behest of a mutual friend. The former already an established DJ and the latter a successful studio producer, Hardfloor released the 11-minute "Acperience" single soon after deciding to inject a bit of bombast into the German scene. Utilizing since-standard compositional tools like long, melody-driven buildups and elaborate percussion breaks, the track became an instant dancefloor anthem and made Hardfloor a sought-after name for remix and production work. Although the pair recorded briefly for the Eye Q label, most of the group's work has come out through Sven Vath's influential Harthouse imprint, including a number of full-length releases and a consistent schedule of 12-inches and EPs. Although the pair have since evolved from the more simplistic floor-movers of their earlier work, incorporating elements of hip-hop, electro, breakbeat techno, and post-acid house styles like trip-hop and intelligent dance, the group remains committed to the smoldering edge of acid, with 909 and 303 sounds comprising the lion's share of their recognizable sound. Hardfloor remix credits include Mike Oldfield, the Shamen, and Mory Kante, and both Bondzio and Zenker also release their own and others' material through their respective Jakpot and No Respect labels. The duo adopted the alias Da'Damn'Phreak'Noize'Phunk for the 1999 acid-breakbeat adventure, Electric Crate Digger. ~ Sean Cooper