Mad Decent Block Party « Rager Onions

Names: Dylan Mamid (aka DC) and Zach Rapp-Rovan (aka Hooks)

From: Toronto, Canada

Origin of Artist Name: Zeds Dead is a reference to a line by Bruce Willis in Quentin Tarantino’s masterpiece: Pulp Fiction.

Formerly Known As: Mass Productions also known as MP Records (primarily a hip-hop label)

Genres: Bass Music, Dubstep, Drumstep, Drum and Bass, Electro House, Glitch

Labels: San City High Records, XL Recordings, Hypnotic Records, Mad Decent, Dim Mak, Ultra, Basshead Music, Inspected Records

Upcoming Shows: (besides their relentless 35 show tour) Paradiso, Ottowa Bluesfest, Mad Decent Block Party, Mysteryland, Pukkelpop

Spring Awakening Music Festival Info: Saturday (June 15th) 8:30 – 9:30 on Da Equinox Stage 2

DC and Hooks have a long history together. Their friendship was forged over a mutual passion for Hip-Hop and music production when they were merely teenagers. Very early in the duo’s career, they produced an LP of hip-hop influenced instrumentals titled Fresh Beetz, but a stagnancy in the scene left the boys craving from something new and fresh.

In 2009 they began their introduction into electronic dance music. Zeds Dead is the tandem’s effort to coagulate ‘the ecstasy and comradery of house, the heart pummeling thrill of Drum and Bass, the beauty of ambient music, and the heaviness of electro – all in one sound’. Since then, the sky has been the limit for Zeds Dead. With countless releases on many of the leviathan labels in EDM, DC and Hooks have solidified their name among the biggest names in the business. Working on a largely dubstep-influenced platform, Zeds Dead is sure to get your blood pumping next week in Chicago.

They are certainly a group you will regret passing up.

Slowly but surely, artists in EDM have been teaming up to create super-group identities.

Steve Angello, Axwell, Sebastian Ingrosso = Swedish House Mafia

Skrillex, Boys Noize = Dog Blood

ATrak, Armand Van Helden = Duck Sauce

Rob Swire, Gareth McGrillen = Knife Party

Skrillex, Diplo = Jack U (This is a new artist persona in the making. The duo is set to reveal their new identity during the Mad Decent Block Party Tour.)

Excision, Downlink, and KJ Sawka (former Pendulum drummer) = Destroid

Not many artists are known for having bass so heavy that ear cavities don’t suffice; bass so deep that it can best be described as a feeling that overtakes your entire body upon impact. After releasing their two singles ‘Raise Your Fist‘ and ‘Blast Off’ on their own independent label, the crew has released their first album titled The Invasion. The group has also picked San Francisco for their first live show at the end of the month. What will set Destroid apart from most modern day shows is their use of futuristic symbols and videos to convey underlying social media and marketing concepts. They also create online graphic novels to create a stir about future work.

Their tagline: Elevate Your Existence.