about Konkrete Jungle

Posted by D.I.S on July 23rd, 2005  Loading ...    

About Konkrete Jungle

Style: Jungle, Raggajungle, D&B, all kinds of BreakBeat
Start: 1994
Website: konkretejungle.com
Crew-Members: 1st Generation: Cassien, Clear, Delmar, Dara, DarkStar, I-Cue, Lo-Ki, Odi, Panik, SoulSlinger; 2nd Generation: Junglist-at-Large, Tuffist, Si One, Alias of Faktion, Krunchy, 101, Vandal, Twelve

About:
Konkrete Jungle is the longest-running Jungle drum and Bass weekly in the world. Nearly everyone who is anyone in New York City got their start here, and without it, Jungle Drum and Bass would eventually cease to exist in this city. From it’s humble beginnings in a little bar on Chrystie Street in the Lower East Side of New York City to hosting events in some of the hottest clubs in the City and the nation, Konkrete Jungle has been the proving grounds for Junglists of every discipline. The history of Konkrete Jungle is a story of triumph, defeat, and rebirth; a story of memorable times and times where the extreme pressure of a fascist mayoral regime nearly spelt disaster for the foundation of NYC Jungle Drum and Bass.
It all began in late 1994. With rave staples such as N.A.S.A. tweaking peoples’ interest in electronic dance music and a tune by Smith and Mighty. Kathe knew A Guy Called Gerald. Helen Doyle helped create the scene through her diligent work and public relations. E.G. “Mac” MacFarlane felt a need to cater to those interested in a burgeoning sound that was to be known by us to today as Jungle Drum and Bass. As his time with the legendary Giant Step’s acid jazz massives began to wind down, Cassien of Legend approached him with the idea to start up a weekly event strictly dedicated to Jungle music. It was a daunting task, to say the least, considering the fact that Jungle was perhaps the least popular form of electronic dance music in the City. Throwing caution into the wind, Konkrete Jungle was born on November 10, 1994 in Club 205, with original residents Cassien of Legend, Delmar, Panik, Darkstar, and Dara.

As interest increased, so did the need to provide the adequate space for the growing masses. This move was to be the defining factor in Konkrete Jungle’s success by leaving their cozy bar and taking over the historic Wetlands, providing ample dance floor space and a sound system to boot. Since then, Konkrete Jungle has held residencies at several clubs including Coney Island High, Mantra, Acme Underground, and our current residency at the legendary Pyramid club. There have been several offshoots of Konkrete Jungle in cities such as Philadelphia, Los Angeles, and Atlanta over the years. Aside from the weekly events, Konkrete Jungle provided the blueprint for what a New York City jungle massive is, with legendary performances in spaces such as the Bank and the world famous (but now defunct) TWILO, as well as several out-of-state collaborations with local promoters.

During the mid 1990’s, New York City’s mayor Rudy Giuliani began imposing his famous “Quality of Life” campaign that made it nearly impossible to operate, let alone open, a dance club in the City. For this reason, Konkrete Jungle had a seemingly nomadic existence from 1996-2000, explaining the multiple residencies around the city. While other weekly events were forced to reside in bars, shunning those under the age of 21, Konkrete Jungle stuck through thick and thin to provide a foundation for those who would have otherwise never heard of Jungle Drum and Bass. In the darkest of times, when others proclaimed, some proudly, that “Konkrete Jungle is dead”, we’ve always proven them wrong.

Konkrete Jungle is in the process of upping the ante again, looking to expand the market as well as bring a mobile sound rig indicative of their commitment to quality sound to the masses outside of the confines of the Pyramid. Join us as we open up a new chapter in the history of New York City Jungle/Drum and Bass.

Konkrete Jungle Radio:
Konkrete Jungle is proud to announce the jump-off of Konkrete Junge Radio, broadcasting every Monday from 7PM to 9:30PM EST via NYCJungle.com, hosted by Mykey The Junglist@Large and Alias of Faktion!