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One of the most formidable names in
the dance industry, Rank 1, made their mark during the explosion
of the Trance scene during the late 90s with the huge anthem "Airwave."
In 2001 they performed “Such is life,” live at “Sensation” in front
of 10’000 clubbers at the phenomenal Amsterdam Arena, a night many
still talk about as being their favourite ever.
Amsterdam Arena once again played host to “Sensation”
during the summer of 2003 where their track titled “The anthem”
became the theme tune for Holland’s most loved annual event.
Some of their more memorable work lies in the form
of remixes, Cygnus X’s “Superstring” is thought by many as their
finest hour, others agree their uplifting remix of Baby D’s “Let
me be your fantasy” was the lease of life needed to bring an all
time clubbers classic into the 21st century.
Regardless of what moment during Rank 1’s career you
feel has been their best, know one can deny the impact they’ve had
on the Trance scene. I myself am a huge fan of their every movement.
I wait in eager anticipation for their next release and make an
effort to venture anywhere in the UK they play.
Rank 1 aren’t keen on doing interviews. As stressed
on their website they prefer to let their music speak for itself.
Thankfully with a little persuasion and a bottle of Budweiser I
managed to borrow 5 minutes of their time at Passion vs. Storm’s
New Year 2003/2004. Want to know what was said? Read on and all
shall be revealed.
Interview
Muzik - The majority
of the world knows the name Rank 1 from Airwave, how long had you
two been working together previously?
Benno – I think 2 and a half years?
Piet – Not very long.
Muzik - And Prior to your joining forces had either
of you done any work in the music industry?
Piet - Before I met Benno I did something’s
on my own, I did something’s with other people, I've been
working since 97 with Benno, I've been working the best since then.
Muzik - Last Sunday (28/12/03) Dave Pearce, the
face of Radio 1’s Dance anthems announced his top 20 all time
favourites, Airwave reached number 5. 5 years on and its still at
the forefront of clubbers minds, how does that make you feel?
Benno – Wonderful, we didn’t
realise that we made a tune that people love so much and its very
nice to hear even after 5 years people still like it that way.
Muzik - In recent times you’ve moved away
from the Airwave sound, what prompted the change of a working formula?
Benno - Well you’ve got to try
something different, cuss if you make an Airwave an Airwave an Airwave
people will like… yeah.
Piet – Well it’s better than
you try something to do something different otherwise you get stuck
in the same thing. You can do an Airwave, Stairwave, Bearwave, everything
kind of wave, but you’ve got to try something else in your
life.
Muzik - Benno, you’ve done a few remixes
of your own, Consequence being an all time favourite of mine, can
we expect to hear any of your own productions in the future?
Benno - At the moment Piet and I are
working on a new album and that takes top priority. It’s nice
to do some work on my own but I think it’s better to do the
Rank 1 thing. Well maybe, you never know, if someone comes along
and asks me if you want this remix, cuss I knew the MORPH guy he's
a great guy, Alex Morph, he asked me to do the remix, and I liked
the guy so I did the remix.
Muzik - You teamed up with Mac J earlier this
year for Perfect Blende, is there anyone else you’d like to
work with in the future?
Piet - At this moment there's definitely
no time to do anything else but who knows what the future brings.
Muzik - I myself try my up most hardest to visit
any club in the UK where you Dj at...
Piet interrupts – No, no you didn’t
because you went to see Armin van Buuren instead of driving to Manchester!
You asshole! Another question please! *Laughter*
Muzik - Well, err, erm, ok I TRY my up most hardest
to visit any club in the UK where you pay at, however I and I'm
sure thousands more would be willing to travel the globe for a live
performance, are there any plans in the future for such an event?
Piet - Our plans are to do a live PA
on Mystery Land in August but err, I've seen a lot of live PA’s
in the UK, but I think what live PA’s means in the UK is doing
with a singer, and when we do it, it will probably not be with a
singer. We play all the melody’s live.
Benno – As far as possible, we only have 4 hands!
Muzik - Whats been the highlight of your career
to date?
Piet – I don’t speak of a
highlight, for me music is a passion, we’re in Passion now,
*laugher* I try to do what I like, and the same for Benno, I don’t
know?
Benno – I think he said it all right.
Piet – And Graham you will find
out that interviewing Rank 1 is the most difficult thing on earth,
your almost out of questions! *Laughter*
Muzik - You’ve played all over the globe,
is there any club that’s been a particular favourite?
Piet - I like Passion very much because
Passion has very energetic people and 3 weeks ago I was in Switzerland,
very small club I have to say it was my best gig of 2003.
Muzik - And finally, what does the future hold
for Rank 1? Any plans in 2004 we should know about?
Piet – A lot of music
Benno – Yeah!
On behalf of all the staff at mpfspromotions I'd like to thank
Piet and Benno for their time and wish them all the best in 2004.
Also a kind thank you to Passion management for allowing the interview
to go ahead and not confiscating my recording equipment!
Rank
1 official website
Passion official
website
Passion
vs. Storm New Years Eve 2003/2004 review
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