In 2004 two young scally wags with questionable mental health groundings went on holiday to Tenerife for 10 days to partake in some gentle drinking. During their liver and kidney function tester of a holiday, Flatty and Pubes listened to the new sounds of Hardcore at the time, some early Raverbaby and Evolution stuff. They loved it.

 

Both of the questionably raised tearaways had been into hardcore in the early 90s. They gravitated towards the techno and hard house scene when hardcore got cheesy and had both DJ’d around the South Coast, playing banging hard house and trance in all manner of underground venues – and boats - including parties for the likes of Soap, Boshed and Ying Yang.

 

When they got back from Tenerife they decided to crank out some of this New Skool Hardcore on the next Soap boat they were due to play on, in September 2004. Unfortunately, due to a lack of numbers, the boat was cancelled and the two had nowhere to throw down the banging New Skool sets they were getting into. “Fiddlesticks”, said Flatty, “let’s do our own boat.”

 

Flatty and Pubes joined up with old Techno mukka Mitt, all of whom had put on smaller events previously and started making plans for what became Depth Charge.

 

In the September of 2005 Depth Charge was launched, with it’s first boat hosting Brisk as its guest. The boat had a capacity of 340 people and the lads got about 200 onboard. By no means a financial success, they lost a few quid but the night itself went right off, with the crowd loving the alternative venue and happy vibe that was always at the heart of the DC party.

 

In December 2005 the second boat bobbed its way out the docks, with CLSM on board. The numbers increased slightly and the vibe was described by many, including the top DJs who played there, as the best hardcore party on the South Coast (we’d say the world but we would wouldn’t we?), which tempered out the financial loss still being suffered.

 

The next boat in Spring 2006 was DJ Seduction followed in the Summer by Scott Brown. Word had got out and all of a sudden the boats were selling out well in advance. The lad’s philosophy was simple. Keep the ticket price as low as possible, put on the best line-up with funds available and provide the best sound system and a safe environment to get messy and enjoy the vide.

 

The formula worked and over the course of the next seven years DC set sail on average 3 – 4 times a year. DJs were always willing to be booked, despite the fact they often were limited to only that gig for the night due to the logistic constraints of being on a boat. Many of the top jocks cited DC as one of their favourite nights to play at for the intense but happy atmosphere, dripping with sweat, gurns and hugs. Several times the ceiling of the boat was literally brought down by over excited ravers hanging off it in their various states.

 

The most recent DC was September 2012 Some say it was the last; we say never say never.

 

Respect to all that have partied with us at DC. Enjoy the memories on this site and help yourselves to the mixes and photos.

 

All the boaty love,

 

Flatfoot Sam, Pubes & Mitt – Keep it crankin’