IMPACT
- Cutting Edge Drum n' Bass -

It all began in the summer of 1996. A collaboration of two distinct musical minds was to be the foundation. Both writers at this time had received their first pieces of professional musical gear. After many months of putting ideas into action both Nij Naik and Prashant Mistry had developed their own style and methods of music production. It was by curiosity of what each other was doing which lead to their first proper session together. After two hours of reworking each other’s ideas the first track was born. The result was a breakbeat driven, trance tune. The speed and quality at which both artists had produced compared to before formed the new musical relationship.

Prashant has a very varied musical background. While only 17 he has been classically trained in 5 different instruments at a very high grade as well as the ability to produce and DJ. His drum training shows his influence in producing breakbeats while his classical training is a great asset to the technical side of making music. His influences range from the likes of Underworld through to hardstep drum and bass. Through raving at venues like Dreamscape and World Dance he has began to feel the need for something new on the current rave scene.

Nij has been completely self taught as this is how he believes music should be made. His influences range from all types of dance music. Orbital, Moby and the underground drum n’ bass sound is cited as the main inspirations. This has helped to form a very unique musical style with a great bearing on fast, complex melodies and rhythms. He too has felt that something is lacking in the current music scene and has tried to add a new dimension. By setting up numerous dance events in Reading and through close contacts within the music industry he has tried to offer something new. One Mission is the dance music society based in Cardiff university which he has set up with close friends and has been invaluable for the progress of spreading the Impact sound.

Both writers believed that their music would be excellent if showcased as a live p.a. The way the music was sequenced on the present equipment enabled this to be possible. A bedroom studio had been set up in Prashant’s home. Each live performance at home gave them the incentive and motivation to get the sound played in a proper venue.

The first real gig was in Reading’s local club venue Alleycats. A short demo tape sent to promoter quickly secured a residency. This gig was purely an experiment but the buzz it created showed the immediate potential Impact had as a live act. After several successful gigs at this venue and when the night (Glazed) moved to Applejacks we saw Impact playing to a packed crowd each time. The real buzz was just beginning.

The live act then felt the need for a new factor to add to the vibe. After being approached by and auditioning several MC’s, the next Impact member was discovered, MC Trip.

MC Trip background lies in raving at venues in London and Reading, jumping on the Mic and creating a storm. His persistence in showing other MC’s up wherever he goes has secured him a residency at the Boxing Club in Reading where Oops sound system are providing the jungle and drum n’ bass. Unlike many MCs, MC Trip can rap to almost any type of dance music, with that same crisp sound that first convinced Prashant and Nij that he should be part of the act.

From the hugely successful One Mission the best of the D.J’s in Cardiff University were discovered. One of them Sam Hooper (a close friend of Nij) was spotted by promoters in Cardiff and offered many respectable slots at Cardiff’s top venues playing a range of styles from jungle to hard house. But his main love is the art of scratching. From close hip-hop roots in London, Sam has progressed to form a special technique in a very short time. His talent proved to be a fortunate ingredient to the live set up. He now carries the Impact tag whenever he plays.

The live set up now consisted of several different vibes all gelling together with the same notion that is to create an ‘impact’.

The Future

Close support has also been shown by the Junction 10 sound system that is part of the underground sound movement in Reading and the Southeast. They have offered to help push the Impact vibe by touring with their sound system (10K and growing) forming the Impact Sound System. This is a strong interest that shall be pursued soon.

Massive records own independent label, Dope Ammo has seen the potential in the Impact sound and wants to release a single on this label. This development will be fundamental for the future success of Impact.

Impact now had been established with a modest fan base in Reading and Cardiff, which is still growing after every new gig. By securing a bi-monthly residency at Club Loco at New Style, the live p.a. hopes to reach the enormous crowd Bristol has to offer. Credit has to be given to Out of Hand who have seen Impact’s potential and through work with One Mission have formed close ties. With all this behind them, continued success seems indefinite for Impact.