Techstep: Difference between revisions

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==History==

Techstep developed from [[Oldschool jungle|jungle music]] and [[hardstep]] around 1995.<ref>{{cite book | last = Venderosa | first = Tony | authorlink = | title = The Techno Primer: The Essential Reference for Loop-based Music | publisher = [[Hal Leonard Corporation]] | year = 2002 | ___location = | pages = | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=VT7_x7m-RWcC | doi = | id = | isbn = 0-634-01788-8}}</ref> The name of the genre was coined by Ed Rush and Trace, who were both instrumental in shaping the sound of techstep.<ref>{{Cite book | first = Simon | last = Reynolds | author-link = Simon Reynolds | first2 = | last2 = | author2-link = | editor-last = Bennett | editor-first = Andy | editor2-last = Shank | editor2-first = Barry | contribution = War in the Jungle | contribution-url = | title = The Popular Music Studies Reader | year = 2005 | pages = | place = | publisher = [[Routledge]] | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=QQZNciX0OgEC | doi = | isbn = 978-0-415-30710-9 | postscript = <!--None-->}}</ref> In this case, "tech" did not refer to the smoother style of [[Detroit techno]], but to the raver, more caustic hardcore sounds that were popular in [[Belgium]] in the earlier part of the decade. Techstep was a reaction to more virtuosic and more pop musical elements in [[Oldschool jungle|jungle]] and drum 'n' bass, which were seen as an adulteration of "true" or "original" jungle.<ref>{{Cite book | last = Monroe | first = Alexei | contribution = Thinking about mutation: genres in 1990s electronica | year = 1999 | title = Living Through Pop | editor-last = Blake | editor-first = Andrew | volume = | pages = | place = | publisher = [[Routledge]] | id = | isbn = 0-415-16199-1 | postscript = <!--None-->}}</ref> Instead the genre was infused with a simpler, colder sound that stripped away most [[R&B]] elements, and replaced them with a more hardcore sound,<ref>{{cite book | last = Mitchell | first = Tony | authorlink = | title = Global Noise: Rap and Hip-hop Outside the USA | publisher = [[Wesleyan University Press]] | year = 2001 | ___location = Middletown | pages = | url = https://archive.org/details/globalnoiseraphi00mitc | url-access = registration | doi = | id = | isbn = 0-8195-6502-4}}</ref> and ideological influences like youth [[anti-capitalism]] movements, and [[dystopia]]n films like ''[[Blade Runner]]'' and ''[[RoboCop]]''.<ref name="genecs">{{cite book | last = Reynolds | first = Simon | authorlink = Simon Reynolds | title = Generation Ecstasy: Into the World of Techno and Rave Culture | publisher = [[Routledge]] | year = 1999 | ___location = | pages = | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=tGaRJiXe74UC | doi = | id = | isbn = 0-415-92373-5}}</ref><br> One of the first incarnations of the techstep sound is DJ Trace's remix of T-Power's "Mutant Jazz" which appeared on S.O.U.R. Recordings in 1995. This remix, co-produced by Ed Rush and Nico, features the trademark stepping beats and distorted [[Kevin Saunderson#The Reese Bassline|Reese bassline]] which would become symbolic of the techstep genre. The ''Torque'' compilation (No U Turn), the Techsteppin' compilation (Emotif), Breakage LP (Penny Black 1997), and Platinum Breakz 1, 2, and MDZ 01 (Metalheadz) feature some selections of techstep tracks.

[[Kevin Saunderson#The Reese Bassline|Reese bassline]] which would become symbolic of the techstep genre. The ''Torque'' compilation (No U Turn), the Techsteppin' compilation (Emotif), Breakage LP (Penny Black 1997), and Platinum Breakz 1, 2, and MDZ 01 (Metalheadz) feature some selections of techstep tracks.

Some of the original techstep producers eventually matured into the [[neurofunk]] style. Early pioneers include Trace, [[Ed Rush]] & [[Optical (artist)|Optical]], Nico, [[:encyc:Fierce (artist)|Fierce]], [[Teebee]], [[Dom & Roland]], and [[Doc Scott]] and [[:encyc:Technical Itch|Technical Itch]]. [[Moving Shadow]], [[Metalheadz]], [[No U-Turn Records]], Emotif and [[Renegade HardwareMetalheadz]] were important labels in the development of the style.

Now, the scene is led by artists such as [[Evol Intent (group)|Evol Intent]], Apex, Black Sun Empire, Dreadnought, [[Klute (musician)|Klute]], [[Noisia]], [[Phace]], [[Jon Gooch|Spor]] and [[Timecode (DJ)|Timecode]].

===Skullstep===

{{sources|section|date=June 2015}}

Although ''skullstep'' was originally a derisive moniker for techstep (as was the word ''clownstep'' for jump up), it came to designate an especially repetitious and aggressive style of techstep similar to [[breakcore]]. A syncopated, [[Dotted note|dotted]] [[quarter note]] drum loop written by [[Limewax]] started the trend. While the drum loop resembled the kind heard in [[hardcore techno]], it retained the syncopation of drum and bass music.

Other artists who produced tracks in this style include [[Current Value]], [[:encyc:Donny (artist)|Donny]], [[:encyc:Dylan (artist)|Dylan]], Gein, SNM, Axis & Trank, Surya.

==See also==