There's been something in the air lately that feels like an old skool revival.... and with Altern 8 coming to town what more proof do we need! Mark Archer and MkOne (Mark Butler) make up the pioneers of the dance music scene that is Altern 8. They have been ripping it up behind the decks in the UK since the early 90's and are known for the unique stage costumes of chemical warfare suits and dust masks. With this being their maiden voyage to our shores, here's what the guys from Altern 8 had to say to Liz Sheehan....

So....What have you guys been up to lately?
Non stop djing really, the oldskool scene has taken off in a big way again as new music is being heavily influenced by the sounds from the late 80’s and early 90’s and clubs are wanting to put on people who represent that sound – which is obviously good for us.

Have you ever had any issues travelling with your chemical warfare suits and masks through airports?
LOL – no ones ever actually asked ‘what’s in the bag’ so it doesn’t seem to bother people – guaranteed though – we’ll be stopped now.

What are you most looking forward to about coming to Oz?
We’ve never been so looking forward to it all really, the people, places, the scene out there and the weather. Even your winter is better than the weather in the UK.

What can the Aussie ravers expect from Altern 8 at the “Reunion Rave”  
We play a bit of a ‘journey’ set, with tunes from 89/90 leading up to more hardcore breakbeat tracks from 92 with everything inbetween.

How do you feel about being part of the start of something huge with the rave scene?
We’re really lucky to have been in the right place at the right time, we were just doing our own thing but it’s great to be seen as part of such a great era in dance music.

Having seen many changes in electronic/dance music over the years, what do you think will be the next big thing?
Who knows? There’s so much going on and so many different styles all coming out that there’s no one ‘big thing’ – dubstep and fidget house are real big at the moment and I can’t see that changing just yet.

A remix of “Infinity” featured on a MOS album recently, we’ve just had Underworld come to Australia for a summer festival, now you guys are blessing our shores – what do you think is driving this revival of all things “Old Skool”?
Oldskool’s just being a real big influence on quite a few different genre’s at the moment so people are checking out where it all came from and luckily there’s a few of us still knocking about who still play out.

As you look out from behind the decks and through the lasers, into the crowd.... what is the weirdest thing you’ve seen?
A smurf….. back in 92 at the sound factory in New York, some guy was painted completely blue with the hat, pants and little tail, very odd.

What are you hoping to see from the punters while you play?
Smiling faces and arms in the air – it’s what it’s all about :D

What’s on the cards for Altern 8 for the rest of 2009? Any new productions?
Not sure about productions but there will be no stopping with the djing, we’re pretty much booked up until the end of summer.

Describe Ibiza in 3 words
Eclectic, Manic but beautiful.

Finish this sentence – Glowsticks are...
...not to be chewed!

Catch Altern 8 at the "Reunion Rave", Saturday 6th June at Villa Nightclub. Supported by Sasha Vatoff, Greg Packer, JJ, Hutcho, Mario Tavelli and Kenny L.