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Liam is the song writer in the Prodigy so it's hard top say what is in his solo project and what is not. This section concentrates on his DJ album - The Dirtchamber Sessions - and on his DJ sets since 1999. In the 80s Liam entered a mixing competition on Mike Allen's Capital Radio hip hop show - twice. After he had sent the first mix tape he felt it wasn't good enough so he made another one and sent it as well, under different name. He came first and third. Liam's musical career started in a hip hop band called Cut 2 Kill. Cut 2 Kill released one single which was co-written by Liam. The single, 'Listen To The Basstone', was released on Tam Tam records and the band released other singles as well but Liam has nothing to do with them. The band used one of Liam's tracks without Liam's permission to get a record deal. After Liam left the band he started to DJ at a local club called the Barn. There Liam met Keith and Leeroy. Liam made a return to his hip hop roots when Mary Anne Hobbs asked Liam to make a DJ mix for her radio show, Breezeblock. At first Liam turned down the idea, but later he decided to do the mix. The mix was sensational. It contained songs by Run DMC, Public Enemy, Ultramagnetic MC's, the Chemical Brothers, Jimi Hendrix and the Beatless. The original Breezeblock mix was broadcassted in October 1998. THE DIRTCHAMBER SESSIONS VOLUME ONE Liam Howlett's first DJ mix album was released in February 1999 on XL Recordings. It was titled 'Prodigy Present The Dirtchamber Sesions Volume One'. The Dirtchamber mix wasn't the same as the Breezeblock mix. For example, Liam wasn't allowed to use Beatles' 'Sargeant Pepper'. One of the most important tracks on the album was 'New York' by the Sex Pistols. At first John Lydon did not allow Liam to use the track on the mix but later he allowed it. Click here to get more information about the Breezeblock / Dirtchamber Mix. Liam started to do some DJ gigs during the summer after releasing the album. Liam said that he started to DJing to get inspiration for new Prodigy material. He made six DJ sets in 1999 and he continued with four in 2000. Liam also collaborated with Primal Scream in 2000. There was a rumour that he would have produced a song called 'Five Years Ahead Of My Time' but that rumour wasn't true. It's not known what Liam did with Primal Scream but he was credited in the album booklet. Liam also worked with Maxim on his solo project. Liam produced vocals for 'My Web' and co-wrote 'Scheming'. In an interview by Mackie.com (a company which manufactures mixers) in 2001Liam revealed tthat he had released some records under a pseudonym. “I’ve been experimenting a lot with the D8B’s morphing feature,” he said. “Especially on bass sounds. I’ve actually used it on a few underground vinyl releases, which I put out under a pseudonym. I won’t tell you what they are - that would spoil the vibe.” To get more detailed and exclusive information about Liam's DJ project, visit Nekosite. |