When Billboard, America’s esteemed music trade publication, hosted its Dance Music Summit in San Francisco in January 1995, they might not have foreseen that the event’s true stars would be Hardkiss. This underground collective unknowingly played a crucial role in establishing the groundwork for today’s electronic dance music (EDM) phenomenon.
Hardkiss brothers Scott, Gavin, and Robbie Hardkiss are pictured, capturing the essence of their pioneering influence on the dance music scene.
Despite America’s groundbreaking contributions to music with disco in the 1970s and hip hop, house, and techno in the subsequent decade, the nation was initially slow to embrace the burgeoning hybrid movement that emerged in the UK around 1988 as acid house. Having spent a significant portion of the 80s and early 90s in the United States, I witnessed firsthand the gradual but significant shifts in the US dance music landscape. However, the country’s response to this new electronic scene was somewhat surprising.
Back in 1988, American perceptions of dance music often grouped it with genres like heavy metal, punk, and “alternative.” While the UK witnessed massive weekend raves drawing tens of thousands, the US underground club scene for “having-it” dance music was limited to a few hundred devotees even in major cities. In smaller clubs and parties, particularly in Brooklyn, New York, a strong sense of community thrived, united by a genre seemingly destined to remain outside the mainstream. Similar pockets of resistance existed in Detroit, Chicago, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.
However, by the mid-90s, a substantial rave culture had taken root in the US, laying the foundation for EDM’s eventual corporate ascent. Initially, British acts like Underworld, The Chemical Brothers, and The Prodigy, categorized as “electronica” by Americans, crossed the Atlantic. Then, Madonna’s embrace of electronica with her 1998 album ‘Ray Of Light’ further propelled the genre into the public consciousness. Within a few years, stadium-filling EDM acts, epitomized by figures like David Guetta, were dominating arenas and Las Vegas residencies.
San Francisco, in the early 90s, became an unexpected hub for this evolving movement. The city’s unique approach was deeply rooted in the open-minded spirit of the original Summer of Love three decades prior. The Hardkiss brothers, the city’s prominent party organizers, despite their East Coast origins, found in the creative melting pot of Southern California a space where their boundless musical imaginations could flourish, regardless of prevailing trends.
Hardkiss’s initial 12-inch releases on their own label showcased a vibrant and innovative creative energy. They were among the first American acts to propel electronically produced dance music from the underground. Their presence at Billboard’s Dance Music Summit in San Francisco in January 1995 was like an electrifying force. Was this event, alongside subsequent Miami Winter Music Conferences, an early catalyst for the EDM behemoth that would emerge? While it might be seen as an attempt to legitimize the dance scene for an industry still seeking the next ‘Thriller,’ my experience observing Hardkiss and their associates felt more like a celebration and affirmation of disco’s original principles—dance music’s enduring foundation.
At that time, I was part of an electronic disco band called Secret Knowledge with blues singer Wonder. We were signed to Andrew Weatherall’s Sabres Of Paradise label and also released tracks as Delta Lady (featuring Leftfield) on their Hard Hands imprint. Our Delta Lady single, ‘Swamp Fever,’ championed by Billboard columnist Larry Flick and reaching number 33 on the magazine’s dance chart, secured us a US deal. This chart success led to our inclusion in Billboard’s San Francisco summit, performing at an Astralwerks label party. This minor Billboard Dance Songs chart entry was a stepping stone, reflecting the growing influence of the underground scene.
The trip began auspiciously. From the airport to a taxi, the driver regaled us with stories of the original acid tests and Jimi Hendrix’s Monterey performance. Haight Street, the 60s hippie epicenter, still retained a hint of its peace and love atmosphere, though the record shops now primarily stocked dance music. Upon entering the Hotel Ana bar, we encountered a scene that might have overwhelmed garage music enthusiasts: remix icon David Morales leaned against a pillar like Freddie Mercury, surrounded by Chicago house legends, divas, and dance industry elites.
Then, a striking figure with a wide smile and affable demeanor entered – Derrick Carter. A true pioneer of Chicago house, Carter invented the distinctive “boompty” style through his labels Blue Cucharacha, Doghouse, and Classic. Renowned for his marathon DJ sets and legendary partying, Carter was immediately engaging, lacking the careerist pretense common at such events. He was genuinely passionate about the music and, unusually for the time, openly enjoyed a drink. His presence with the Hardkiss crew was perfectly natural.
Later that evening, Hardkiss DJed at a party in a small Italian restaurant for Traci Lords, the former adult film star. Wonder had befriended Lords while collaborating on a song for the ‘Mortal Kombat’ movie soundtrack, which had become a US hit. Lords had visited Wonder and me in the studio and was incredibly pleasant. The restaurant was crowded with onlookers eager to photograph themselves with Lords, but my focus was on Hardkiss. In an era when many DJs, especially within the garage scene, adhered to a restrained 120 bpm tempo and diluted gospel vocals, Hardkiss seamlessly blended a breathtaking range of musical styles, always prioritizing the dance floor. They were a revelation, offering the American music industry a glimpse into the future of dance music, a future that would eventually populate the Billboard dance songs charts.
With Derrick Carter’s arrival, the night escalated into a riotous celebration, upholding San Francisco’s psychedelic heritage. We moved to a Deconstruction Records event, but the vibe felt off. The Dust Brothers (soon to become The Chemical Brothers), despite their electrifying UK performances, seemed to lack impact on this crowd. Justin Robertson, a top UK DJ, was frustrated as many attendees left after the band’s set. Justin’s beer stash was also pilfered, and then hotel management confiscated our balcony drinks, citing police crackdowns. We retreated to the hotel, Justin disheartened by his curtailed US debut. From there, chaos ensued, culminating in my staggering out around noon, just as Wonder and I prepared for our own US debut that evening!
The Astralwerks label night took place at the Gardening Club, featuring visually themed rooms for disco, house, and chill-out music. Despite competing Billboard events across the city, we drew a respectable crowd. We were scheduled for the main room, and I DJed beforehand. Nervous initially, my acid techno set, including tracks like Josh Wink’s ‘Don’t Laugh’, was well-received. After 90 minutes, Wonder took the stage to a packed and energized room. I could finally relax. After the venue closed around 6 AM, we joined the Hardkiss group in a car to an after-party across town.
The host, a gracious man in his 60s, was reportedly a central figure in San Francisco’s 1970s gay scene. His beautiful, antique-filled home with wood paneling and stained glass had been a significant gathering place. Many who frequented his past gatherings had been lost to AIDS, but tonight, his doors were open to a select few. The Hardkiss crew were warmly welcomed. The gathering was refined, guests meticulously cleaning up minor spills and emptying ashtrays frequently. Two rooms were designated for relaxation and conversation, with large TVs displaying psychedelic visuals. In the kitchen, someone dressed as a bearded nun served refreshments until the following evening.
The large conservatory/dining room was dedicated to dancing. Over the next 12 hours, the DJ lineup included Hardkiss, the globally renowned DJ Keoki, and Derrick Carter, whose disco set was utterly mesmerizing. I had never witnessed such mixing prowess. At one point, he extended a Diana Ross ‘Upside Down’ flexi-disc into a 20-minute peak experience. Finally, a chill-out DJ named Wolf brought the night to a beautiful close with a slow-motion symphony. Afterwards, we moved to Scott Hardkiss’s apartment for further revelry, concluding one of the most memorable nights and days (and nights).
Sadly, Scott Hardkiss passed away in March 2013. His immense talent and vision were lost too soon. However, Gavin and Robbie Hardkiss have thankfully returned to celebrate their rich history in loving tribute to their brother, while also exploring future creative endeavors. With Hardkiss once again leading a pocket of underground resistance, the world of authentic dance music, including its journey onto the Billboard dance songs charts, is undoubtedly enriched. Their early work and influence paved the way for many artists who would later achieve Billboard chart success in the dance genre, solidifying their legacy as true pioneers.
