ESOR: Rave Greats Mix Series

Here you go;

Every Shade of Rave has grown from a handful of friends to over 3000 people in just a few months.  What’s made it unique has been the way it’s connected many people that have been part of the Perth rave scene at various times over the last thirty odd years.  Flyers have been shared, photos that have never seen the light of day have been unearthed , stories and friendships rekindled. 
 
Unlike many other pages it hasn’t descended into an advert stream for upcoming events or an overwhelming number of DJ mix streams and that’s been a deliberate choice.  This page is about the memories, the moments and most importantly the people who’ve played a small and large part in our unique history. 
 
One such person is Greg Packer.  If we were able to put the DNA of the Perth Rave scene under a microscope there would be strands of Greg Packer all the way through.  Many DJ’s, producers and humans have had an impact but very few to the extent and as continuously as Greg.
 
So it goes without saying that there is no one more appropriate than the good Doctor, Greg Packer to kick off our exclusive mix tape series.  These are commissioned mixes by the people running Every Shade of Rave Perth where we get the people that were there to put together a retrospective journey for you. 
 
Greg has put together a mix that’s more than just a jukebox retelling of rave classics.  It’s basically a time machine that encompasses his (and our journey) from 1991 rave through the darker years in 1993 & 1994 into happy hardcore and also jungle.  It includes many of the signature tunes that you’ll have heard Greg drop at events like Telepathy, Hellraiser, Helter Skelter and clubs like James Street, Elevation, The Infirmary and Gravity.  Greg has described the mix as ‘kind of like writing my autobiography on the decks’ and something ‘he loved putting together’. 
 
The amazing thing about Greg Packer is that if you were raving back in 1991 and fell off the face of the planet you would know his name. Equally if you only started in 2021 you would know him under his world beating alias Dr Packer. 
 
For a long time Greg was Perth or maybe Australia’s best kept secret.  He had a spell in 1994 where he went and played some of the biggest raves in the UK and went toe to toe with the likes of Carl Cox and DJ Seduction and did us proud.  He was the first Australian DJ to do a jungle/D&B mix on JJJ mixup.  When he started to produce music on his own Interphase label and release on LTJ Bukem’s label Good Looking and Looking Good he caught the attention in the Liquid/Intelligent D&B community worldwide. 
 
Ironically it was Nu-Disco that finally allowed the world at large to see what we’ve always known right here in Perth.  Greg/Dr Packer is a world class DJ and producer.  He’s Perth’s very own Carl Cox. 
This is a man that deserves his ‘overnight success’.  He’s now headlining at massive festivals in Europe and the USA rubbing shoulders with the very DJ’s he used to support (and show up) all through the golden years of rave.  The only surprise for us that have witnessed him throughout the years is that it didn’t happen sooner. 
 
We’re privileged and honoured to have Greg put together a mix for us at Every Shade of Rave and we hope you can all take some time on this weekend whether you’re in Perth or elsewhere, in lockdown or not and enjoy the sounds of Perth’s favourite son, the Harcore Hacker, the jungle don, the mixing champion and the Nu Disco king, the good Doctor himself – Greg Packer.

E.S.O.R - Rave Greats Series Vol 1 - Greg Packer [1991-1997]

E.S.O.R - Rave Greats Mix Series Vol. 1 - Greg Packer [1991-1997]

In the minds of many, his credentials are well known and will need not introduction, but for the legend that he is, Space Ace deserves a tip of the hat and nod to his involvement and influence through the formative years and evolution of the scene we know and love.

Space ACE is the DJ’s DJ, never approaching a set as just playing some awesome tunes… but painstakingly thinking about each track, where it fits and journey he wants to take you on and expert use of sampling. If you have been lucky enough to be on the dancefloor when Space is playing, you will remember that his distinct style and carefully curated sets were the stuff of legend. 

The Rave’s Space played at were hard to count, but here’s a few to get your mind buzzing about the dancefloors he’s rocked:
Sensoria ’92 - Utopia ’92 - De Je Vu - Time  - Communion – Voyager - The Beginning - Life ’93 -Back to the Old School ’93 - Total KAOS – Rush - Rush Again – Hypnosis - Mayday - Trip to the Moon - Reactivate Parties - Big Bad Head to name only a few up until ’94. (all flyers saved in the folders) and numerous residencies and club night including, Eon, DCs and the Infamous Madhatter’s.

Being fairly nomadic in spirit, Space has journeyed from Perth more than once with stints in Darwin and most recently Melbourne, continuing to pursue his love and connection with Art and Music
In 2012, Space set up his podcast Zoo & Ace Cybernetics, where you can listen to some amazing set and get your ears around his progressive releases under DJ spACE.

Not only is spACE a faultless DJ and excellent producer, but he is also one of the nicest humans you will ever meet… and if your lucky, you may see him back on flyers in Perth in the near future…

We hope you enjoy this mix, it’s an instant classic and we’re sure you’ll give the kitchen floor and work out throwing shapes and smiling hard!

dj spACE - The Sound of ZOO & Ace Cybernetics

E.S.O.R - Rave Greats Mix Series Vol. 2 - spACE (1989-2005) E-ons, Decades & Millenniums PART 1 of 3

Tonight we are beyond excited to bring you an exclusive mix from the one and only Adil Bux!

From the early days of the legendary clubs of Limbo 87-90 and Freezer as well as playing at raves that DJs and ravers alike all hold with religious status, Adil Bux was front and centre behind the decks!

Adil was also behind one of Perth’s first electronic dance music radio show Rhythm Fix with Chase, Ken Weyden, Ben Stinga, Roy Jopson, organised Perths first Acid House part Meltdown in 1988 and was a  co-owner of Players and Greenwich bar!

Lost in Rave, Hypnosis, Rush I & II, Escape, Fusion & Life were just some of the legendary parties you would have seen him play and tonight’s set is going to be a homage and nod to these legendary clubs and parties.

Adil has put together a set to step you back through time with 60 minutes of his favourite tracks through this classic era of the Perth Scene.

On behalf of the ESOR crew, we want to give a massive shout out to Adil and we hope you enjoy what he has laid down.

E.S.O.R - Rave Greats Mix Series Vol. 3 Adil Bux

Track list:

Sunset Regime - I've Got The Real Feel
Super Ragga Gabba - One Mo Rave
Dream Frequency - Euphoria
Love Decade - So Real
The Prodigy - G-Force
CJ Bolland - Horsepower
Misteria - Who Killed JFK
Two Little Boys - Stylophonia
Red Shift - Showdown
Eternal - Eternal
The Enigmatist - I Want Your Love
DMS - Vengeance
Phantasy - Let's Go
Interface - Let It Hit 'Em
Release - Passion
Hyper-On Experience - Imajika
Tango - Factor 5
The Prodigy - Music Reach 1/2/3/4
Global Method - Good Life

ESOR - Greats - 4

E.S.O.R - Rave Greats Mix Series Vol. 4 - Part One (91 - 92) with Rob Fender

E.S.O.R - Rave Greats Mix Series Vol. 5 - Dave Jackson

E.S.O.R - Rave Greats Mix Series Vol. 6 - Craig Hards

E.S.O.R -  Rave Greats Mix Series Vol. 7 - Phone A Phriend

E.S.O.R – Rave Greats Mix Series Vol.8 - DJ ONDY
· The Mid to late ‘90s produced some ground breaking music as the scene in our home town evolved, a generation of DJs that were influenced by our Perth legends but came with a new perspective and their own stories to tell. Ondy was no exception and based this set, is still a magician behind the decks.
· Well known for laying downs sets of fluid trance, playing tracks in ways that made you hear them differently to when you heard someone else playing the same track. Sometimes it was the layering, the long mixes, the B-sides and just the way he could pick “The Right next track”
· One of the most humble and laid back DJs/People that I have been lucky enough to meet along the journey, Ondy was always a crowd favourite. Booked Regularly at the Rhythm Method parties, EMAS parties, Plastic events, the Infamous PINES raves, City farm raves and many many outdoor free parties.
· Ondy’s never been far from the scene now producing ambient sounds under the moniker “Thermalfish” – check out the album Littoral, it’s worth tracking down. Big Shout outs to DJ KL & The Ambient Zone at RTR and to his label, Stellar Beams.
· I’ve listened to this set a few times now from beginning to end and I can’t wait to share it with you. This is a trip down the rabbit hole with the timeless trance sounds your DJ is known for... Turn up the system and get down!
· Set List
· · Hardfloor - Kangaroos and Bubbles (Harthouse)
· · Mandala - Acidney (Noom)
· · Commander Tom - Round My Brain (Room)
· · L.S.G. - Can You See The Yellow Turtles (Superstition)
· · L.S.G. - Miss Understanding (Superstition)
· · L.S.G.- Sweet Gravity#1 & #2 (Superstition)
· · Friends, Lovers and Family - Diamond Lil’s (Rising High)
· · Hallucinogen - LSD (Dragonfly)
· · Astral Projection - Utopia (TIP)
· · L.S.G. - Netherworld (Vinyl Mix) (Soiled Digital)
· This is an amazing set and we still have heaps more in the pipeline!
· Enjoy Ravers and share the hell out of it!
· P.L.U.R

E.S.O.R - Rave Greats Mix Series Vol. 8 - DJ Ondy

A a graffiti writer from the age of 15, The name Size was more than just his DJ Name and in the early day, Zach started Djing around playing mostly Hip Hop.
Arriving in Perth in 1992 fresh from the Rave scene that was booming Oxford & Northampton area U.K he had brought a box of tunes with him. New to Perth, he didn't find anywhere playing his style of music which was mostly breaks, or UK "Hardcore”.
He met Colin Clarke (Limbos), at the Berlin Club among others and was not long after, booked to play his firs gig a Rave called "Delicious”.
In 1993 connecting with another Perth legend, Greg Packer they’d hit the studio and mix. Having never owned a pair of decks ever , this was where he honed his skills.
Everything for Size stemmed from that era really 1992-98 and his style and talent saw him playing at the FIRM, Monday Madness night’s and as a regular DJ for Ragga bones parties, Gravity nights and other events. In the Line of superstars he threw down with were: Grooverider, Kenny Ken, DJ SS, Dr. S. Gachet, LTJ Bukem.
Playing at Loaded Dice for the first few gigs at Players night club around 1997 and his last gig before making the move overseas was was at Metros in 2002, back to back with Hutcho.
This set is all vinyl, serving up some a drum and bass set, all on vinyl '96 era DnB.
Grab your drink, click the link and turn it up!
MASSIVE RESPECT DJ SIZE Zach Freshwater
Check these out:
#THESOURCE - DELICIOUS
#BERLIN
Are there words enough to accurately do justice this Temple of Rave?
#MADDHATTERS - A PERSONAL FAVOURITE
Getting dressed up and getting sideways, these parties were off the hook and had vast array of Perth Talent rocking the 1's & 2's.
#REUNION - RAGGABONE
No words can do these parties justice. If you were there, you know. We have always had a love for the roots of rave in Perth, Old School was a flava that has always been there... These gigs had mad line ups and the perfect vibe.
#GRAVITY - RAGGABONE
The Original "Regular" home of Hardcore, Jungle & Drum & Bass. SO many internationals and so many events that really tore the roof of that club and could easily have drawn crowds big enough for a full Rave.
It was post Infirmary madness and filled the gaping hole that had been left. Gravity didn't replace the Infirmary, it was a complete rebirth and a change that gave the venue a completely new life and identity, Rob & Lisa MacGregor had worked their magic yet again.
Along with the internationals, week in week out, our work class locals would throw down for us... our next DJ is counted among the line up of those talented enough to get a set.
#MINDWARP SERIES - INFIRMARY
I did not miss one of these parties! Ratty, Dougal, Brendan, Bukem, Slipmatt... seriously one of most diverse underground clubs that existed in Perth... Making it a dream for any bedroom/wanna be DJ (Like me) to play there. No details are available, i just remember Jon Roberts giving me free drinks at the courtyard bar and... then it was morning.
I miss this club still 🙁
#VISIONS OF THE FUTURE - RAGGA BONE
Visions of the Future! who went to this crazy party... i remember it being packed. Ragga Bone were renowned for putting on some of Perth most infamous parties and Clubs and our next DJ was billed at a lot of them.
#HEAD

Pinkerton

E.S.O.R - Rave Greats Mix Series Vol. 9 - DJ Size

Your DJ….. MENIS with a special 'Influences' tribute mix to Breakbeat Hardcore and the crowds and crews that raved in the 90s!
DJ Menis drew early influence from early 90s hardcore & jungle raves tape packs coming out of the UK (Carl Cox, Ratty, Darren Jay, Ray Keith, Slipmatt, Grooverider, Brisk - at nights such as Club Kinetic, Fantazia, The Big Bang, Origin, Dreamscape, Helter Skelter) and drew inspiration from early Greg Packer tapes, developing his own unique style as fast paced and energetic. 
Menis established a vinyl collection starting with productions that shaped the Era (Acen, Force Mass Motion, Krome & Time, Slipmatt, Seduction, The Prodigy etc) as well as the stronger sounds coming out of the Belgian, Dutch and other European camps.
A 16 year old Menis first got behind the decks at Parties in the mid 90's and has been lighting up some of Perth's most memorable underground events since, so it is a fitting set for Every Shade Of Rave Volume 10….
More info: https://fireballblog.tumblr.com/.../dj-menis-the-story-so...
About the set---Inspirations---
For ESOR Vol 10, the aim was to recreate the magic atmosphere we all felt in the golden era whilst also tipping the hat to some of our major influences, digging deep for samples from live recordings with some our favourite MCs and the most up for it crowds. 
The sequence of the set is intended to represent the spectrum of a typical night in the mid 90s, the warm up through to peak and touch down - I hope this brings back the magic and the memories. 
Big Cheers to Jayd and the crew for initiating and managing the ESOR community.
Respect to all the Artists and Crew who keep the vibe alive. Listening to the first 9 ESOR volumes and seeing the shared appreciation for the music has inspired many to keep the fire burning
Cant wait to hear some of the DJs I know have something in the pipeline too, you know who you are.
Good Evening Citizens of Earth - An Ode to Hit The Dex III>> 
1 Hyper On Experience - Monarch of the Glenn    <<MC Kevin - 'Steppin Up, 1 more the Gravity Legends' @ Dj Slipmatt Mountain Tce Edition…>>    <<MC Mallard & Gravity Crew - 'Special Treat 4 U Tonight' @ Gravity Mountain Tce….>>    << MC Jay Ripper / Method - 'Inside the Place' @ Final Set of the last ever night of Gravity (Murray St) >> 
2 Baby D - Casanova (Live @ Bowlers, Manchester) 
3,4 & 5 Acen Tribute Mashup - (Menis's Obsessed Trip to Acen's Kaleidoscope Moon through the Window in the Sky)    <<Colin Bridges & Dusta Live on BPM Show / RTR FM - Black Slabs of Plastic)  
6 Trip 2 The Moon Part 2 (Dubplate Mix)    <<MC Assassin & Gravity Crew: Hardcore Noise>>  
7 Prodigy - Full Throttle (Nefti Breaks Mix) 
8 Force Mass Motion -  Esthisis 
9 Jam Fx - Thunderpussy 
10 Prodigy - Weather Experience Mashup x Music of Life Freestyle Battle (Menis tribute to Liam the Wizard & MC Merlin) 11 Out Of Order - Right Guard 
12 DJ Pooch - Bells 94 (Remix) 
13 Bug Kann & The Plastic Man - Made in 2 mins (Origin Unknown Remix) 
14 Anthil Mob - Black Rushn' (Anthill Remix) 
15 Future Primitive - We're Flying (DJ Vibes & Wishdokta Remix) 
16 Psy Quest - Sky High (Dougal Mix) 
17 JDS  -Higher LOVE 
18 Ravers Choice 1 
19 Midas - Groove Control (Dougal Remix) 
20 Mystic & Fire - True Luv Remix 
21 Phil & Wendy - Unity 
22 Dj Ham - Music '99 - 
23 Dj Ham - Are you ready (99 Remix) 
24 Dave 3D Ward & Slipmatt - Release Me    <<MC Kevin - Live @ Slipmatt 97 - 1 More Happy Hardcore Crew >> 
25 Slipmatt - Breakin Free (Ramos & Supreme Mix)- Universal 26 Ramos, Supreme & Sunset Regime - Got to believe (Heaven Mix) - Hectic
https://www.mixcloud.com/.../esor-rave-greats-series-vol.../
https://fireballblog.tumblr.com/.../681.../dj-menis-est-1996

E.S.O.R - Rave Greats Mix Series Vol.10 - DJ Menis

E.S.O.R - Rave Greats Mix Series Vol.11 - LEROY Leroy Parkinson
How it started...I was first introduced to the breakbeat & hardcore sound by local DJ’s Rob Fender and Justin Campbell but to express a million more words I’ll just tell you they gave me a copy of this set https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_z6H4ySa_Yand if you know -you know..
Pre Raver...My earliest experiences with rave music were at a place called The Factory in Perth...not a rave or a club, but it felt like both and it was where you went to hear the rave DJs when you wereunderage- Hutcho, Packer, Briais Trevor dobbo. Rob Fender, Miggy were just some of the names. The Factory was legit enough that you could ask your parents to drop you off and pick you up after. Then I levelled up to Elevations....went for the underage opening at 8pm and stayed until the overage session closed at 7am. I got beat up, loved up and fucked up in that place...Loved that place to catchDarren Briais and Greg Packer...and loads of internationals....CarlCox, Digweed, Sasha.
Eclipse 1...was the first real rave I attended. I was hooked before I even got into the venue. I remember being in the massive queue outside whilst thishttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmqcI_VoiQQwas playing, which rattled the whole tin warehouse. It was theSource of course!
Revolution...was the first rave I helped put on, along with DjRewind and the hills massive, it was my first real Dj set. We hired the venue for “a wedding” wink wink. Imagine the owners surprise when they popped in during the setup of scaffolds, PA and golden scans hanging from the roof! We said it was a “rave-themed” wedding. Had a full house when 5 police cars turned up and shut us down at 5am.
Raggabone & then Gravity....I was buying records long before I had any desire to hit the decks. I just loved spending most weekends just hanging out at record shops hoping to train spot what local Djs had in their stack of records After enough pestering, Rob & Lisa booked me to Dj on the second weekend of Gravity. I was rewarded with the highly anticipated 5am set - after Dj Highlander. I got thereat 10pm - and realised at 4:50am that Dj’s had to bring their own headphones. I had to go home. Started my set at 5:30am - best 30mins of my life!
Luck...I was lucky enough to play most weeks at Gravity, and alongside some amazing local Djs such as Rewind, Menis, Kev, Dair, Finesse, Jay, Rosko, Q-ball, Echoic, B-Jam, Packer, Rob Fender, Fuxxy, Versetyle, Sniper, Corruption, Splinky, Freestyle, Rousa, Hutcho, Subsonic As a resident at Gravity I was lucky enough to support most of the international Djs too [insert giant list of cool names here] I really enjoyed playing a jungle set at Gravity Xmas party each year and at the Mad Hatters Ball. I even played in DC’s a fewtimes. I also played at lots of non-Gravity related raves like Sting nthe tail, Lost the Plot, Calibre, Hard Boiled, Helter Skelter, Twisted,System 6, Random Logik and on the side, I also put on events withMenis under the name Fireball Productions, Perthquake, and withKev & Phil & Menis under ‘Easy tiger’ and ran a regular hardcore night night called ‘Elysium’ for a while. Good times.
Gravity truly was the home of Hardcore !!!!
About this mix...whilst I'm best know as Happy hardcore Dj in the90’s and early 2000’s this mix is a story about what influenced me from those days at The Factory and Elevation as a raver, right through to the early years of happy hardcore as a Dj at Gravity. I hope you enjoy all the shades of rave in this mix, and massive respect to Jayd for ESOR.
Hardcore will Never Die !!!!
Lastly thanks to my amazing wife Lisa who still buys me records and has spent 1 Million hours standing in Dj booths and at various sweaty raves with me - oh and for having to listen to my 1,000attempts of recording this mix.

E.S.O.R - Rave Greats Mix Series Vol. 11 - Leroy Parkinson

E.S.O.R - Rave Greats Series: Vol.12 – DJ PUFF
Celebrating 1 year of mixes from the legends of our scene.
Every Shade of Rave’s exclusive mix series is turning one this month and we will be celebrating with a set from one of Perth’s favourite Son’s, Gerard Eaton DJ PUFF, Perth’s Original Techno Maestro.
Bringing you a set from one of the most Humble and unassuming DJ’s in Perth. All round nice guy, Puff went about his craft like a stealth drone, always there, never making a fuss but when ever he got behind the decks you knew who was playing and what was coming your way.
Crafting and honing his skills at The Infirmary with Rhys Drongo Evans, Jeremy Junk (Whippy RIP), Dan the Man, Jacen etc... Puff was a resident DJ, local favourite and support for some of the most infamous events held in a Perth, including DJ Edge, Monday Madness and the Mindwarp series… needless to say, if you were a wanna be DJ, you would have sold a limb or a family member to trade places with him. (if you were there, you know
Post Infirmary, Puff had a cult following and was a much sort after DJ, playing for Rhythm Method, heaps of one off gigs and was behind many one off parties and weekly nights under the moniker of “Natives of Space” to help keep the scene post infirmary, kicking along.
Writing a list of the DJs he’s supported would be a small novel and I’ll let you flick through the flyers we’ve posted so far to give a sense of how in demand he was and the calibre of his talent behinds the turntables.
Transmit was the game changer and being 100% focused purely on Techno, gave him the platform to really bring to life, the style he loved and this series of parties became an infamous part of the Techno scene in Perth.
Then As Delirium emerged and from the ashes of the rave scene, Puff was front and centre, featuring regularly on the bill of Plastic, Sonic, Science fiction etc etc…
If you frequented the Infirmary, you’ve heard Puff play and just like his sets back in the day, this mix is distinct, tough, seamlessly mixed. This one has been a while in the making and our dead set local legend, has dusted of the decks and put this slice of heaven together just for us.
This month as promised we are taking you back to Halcyon days of Perth Techno.
Your DJ – Gerard Eaton - Puff

E.S.O.R - Rave Greats Mix Series Vol.12 - DJ Puff

E.S.O.R – Rave Greats Mix Series Vol.13 – Dougie Vee!
It’s been a while between sets and as promised care of the one and only Doug Villeneuve we will be dropping some pre ‘96 bouncing fun for your eardrums.
This set is from another one of Perths, Wi… Wi… Wicked, DJ legends and this months Special Guest is a name that is synonymous with the Mid 90’s Rave scene in Perth who has given us a set that’s sure make you smile from ear to ear.
Lets give it up for your DJ, the one and only…
DOUGIE VEE AKA VILLENEUVE AKA Votan “God Of Drums"

E.S.O.R - Rave Greats Mix Series Vol.13 - Dougie Vee - Back To The Hardcore

here's the track list to whet your appetite!
Respect To The Following - SS
Total Xstacy (SS & EQ Remix) - EQ
SMD 2AA - Slipmatt
N'Joi This - The Untouchables
Volume 1A - Frantic & Impulse
Firin On All Cylinders - Aurora
Come On - The Hedgehog Affair
SMD 2A - Slipmatt
Drumstruck - N-Joi
Livin' In Darkness (93 Remix) - Top Buzz
Antology (Top Buzz Stonehenge Remix) - The Anthill Mob
Future Followers (VIP) - Tango
Further Intrigue (Mix 2) - Tango & Fallout
Tales From The Darkside (VIP) - Tango & Ratty
Project 1 (Remix) - Tango
Solutions - Lee & Tango
Renegade Snares (VIP) - Omni Trio
Atlantis (LTJ Bukem Remix) - Apollo Two
Adrenalin - Gwange
We Are Unity (Instrumental) - Jack & Phil
No. 303 - Electronic Experienced
I.Q. - Electronic Experienced
Unfriendly - Wax Doctor & Jack Smooth
Plight Of The Innovators - Fast Floor
Window In The Sky (Monolythikmaniak) - Acen
Trip II The Moon Part 3 (Kaleidoscopiklimax) - Acen
Infection - Fourth Dimension
Fascination - Citrus
Hardcore Disco - Bass X
E-Creation (94 Mix) - Q-Tex
Let Me See Ya Move (Carl Cox Militant March Mix) - Visa
War Path - Conquer
Terapia (Hocus Terapiocus) - Ramirez
Force Format - Force Mass Motion
YRS Stomp (Hyperact Remix) - Technotrance
The Big Deal (2nd Deal Mix) - Norman
Thousand - Moby
Tremora Del Terra - Illuminatae
The First Rebirth - Jones & Stephenson

ESOR: Rave Greats Mix Series

Every Shade Of Rave: Perth WA