The Young Punx
The Young Punx is a London, UK electronic dance music group, with members: multi-instrumentalist producer Hal Ritson (leader - also, musical director of Dizzee Rascal’s live band), Nathan Taylor (turntables), Simon Bettison (drums), Cameron Saunders, Guthrie Govan, Laura Kidd, Michele Balduzzi. With an eclectic variety of collaborators, their productions, DJ sets and live shows switch smoothly between: French house, italo disco, Dirty Electro, Drum and Bass and similar.
Irreverent, funny, intelligent, chaotic, and totally dedicated to the cause of good music, The Young Punx transform the traditional boundaries within which dance music is produced and performed.
“The Young Punx are redefining musical cool” – EQ Magazine
The Young Punx’ boundless energy and infectious enthusiasm for all forms of music is also reflected worldwide in their monthly radio show (on Big City Beats network across Northern Europe) and their peerless podcasts which capture the banter and carnage of a Saturday night’s clubbing, whilst showcasing the best in new dance music and where over 10,000 listeners go each month to satisfy their cravings for riotous jumbo bass.
“Breaks, pop, disco, drum & bass, opera and surf are all thrown in to create a giddying bombardment that doesn’t let up once throughout… a good-time party soundtrack ” – IDJ
Their unique blend of deck high jinxs and tricks makes them in-demand DJs fuelling amazing tunes in parties at some of the world’s biggest clubs including gigs in Ibiza supporting Tiësto at Privilege and at Pacha for Erick Morillo’s Subliminal Sessions; Ministry of Sound and Fabric in London; Womb, AgeHa, Warehouse and Onzieme in Japan, and at Glastonbury, SummerSonic, Sziget, Urban Arts Festival and many more of the world’s greatest festivals.
“Talented beat alchemists…exhilarating stuff” – Music Week
Following on from the albums “Your Music Is Killing Me” (2007) and “Mashpop and Punkstep” (2010) The Young Punx are currently finishing their 3rd album, featuring guest appearances from Amanda Palmer (Dresden Dolls), Peaches, Phonat, Space Cowboy, US Rapper Count Bass D, Daniel Pearce and guitar virtuoso Guthrie Govan.
Spokesman and glue of the group, Hal Ritson, describes The Young Punx sound as Mashpop and Punkstep” and this is the name of their second album, due out early 2010.
Starting life as producers, remixers and DJs, The Young Punx have developed a reputation for pioneering new sounds and not being afraid to break the rules - one minute producing filthy electro, the next recording a twenty piece live brass section and then cutting and mashing it up in the studio. Fans have learnt to expect the unexpected from The Young Punx and their fresh approach and wit has won them a strong and loyal global following. Their pop culture mentality has seen them catch the headlines in mainstream media as diverse as The Sun, The Mirror, La Stampa and even the BBC’s Newsnight! Coverage spear-headed by a flurry of media interest around their remix of the BBC Shipping Forecast, and a video starring The Mighty Boosh's Mike Fielding (Naboo) as break dancing fisherman. The track created such a stir that it was even featured on Newsnight and on Radio 4 helping to raise the groups profile ahead of their 2007 debut album Your Music Is Killing Me.
Much more than just pop culture commentators, The Young Punx debut album further cemented their reputation as go-to men for innovative, boundary-crossing music, the videos clocking up millions of hits on YouTube and tracks providing the backing in TV shows ranging from Eastenders to The Bionic Woman.
Universal appeal is something The Young Punx have always demonstrated, with their music finding a welcoming home in a number of unusual places. During 2009, the band was sponsored by German beer giant Warsteiner and performed live band and DJ gigs throughout Germany as part of the ‘Liquid Cube’ creative project bringing together music and design. Forthcoming single ‘Ready For The Fight’ is the entry music of choice for IBF Middleweight World Champion boxer Arthur Abraham, they have the computer game world on lock down with appearances on the likes of The Sims and FIFA and have recently presented American Dance Idol Season 4 on Fox TV Japan!
The Young Punx DJs
The Young Punx DJ duo of Nathan Taylor and Hal Ritson, are in demand worldwide and have clocked up global dates in the worlds largest clubs, including gigs supporting Tiësto at Privilege in Ibiza, exclusive performances at Pacha in Ibiza for Erick Morillo’s Subliminal Sessions, Ministry of Sound, Womb and AgeHa in Tokyo, Onzieme in Osaka and dates from LA to Shanghai, Moscow to New York. Their mixes are as in demand as their shows, eccentric frontman Hal has also recently found time to help develop the new DJ Hero game on Playstation®3, and that’s before we get into his work on other projects…
Live Work
On the back of the success of Your Music Is Killing Me, The Young Punx have toured a live show throughout Europe, USA and Japan, including an appearances to tens of thousands at major global festivals including Glastonbury and Japan’s Summersonic and Nano Mugen Festivals.
Presenting
With over 10,000 loyal regular listeners and growing all the time, The Young Punx podcast, ‘The Young Punx FM’, is proving that Hal, Nathan and Simon are a force to be reckoned with. Also with TV presenting stints on Flaunt TV and recently presenting 23 episodes of American Dance Idol Season 4 on Fox TV in Japan and Season 5 in the diary, the Punx are in great demand for their professional style and irreverent humour.
Other Projects
… Eric Prydz's number one hit ‘Call On Me’, ‘Shine’ by The Lovefreekz, The Utah Saints’ ‘Something Good’, Sonny J’s ‘Can't Stop Movin’ and tracks for The Sugababes have all been touched by the magical Ritson hand. While Hal’s vocals feature on the top 5 hit ‘Tell Me Why’ by Supermode and he co-wrote three tracks on the platinum selling David Guetta album Pop Life. Perhaps the most high profile hook up for the band in recent times though has been with Dizzee Rascal, with Hal and Guthrie working on four tracks for his Tongue N Cheek album. A creative bond was formed with The Young Punx becoming Dizzee’s backing band for many live shows, most notably at this year’s Electric Proms for the BBC, for which Hal also took on the role of Musical Director.
Han Hoogerbrugge
The final member of The Young Punx clan is acclaimed Dutch cult animator Han Hoogerbrugge, whose darkly comic cast of characters have become stars of the unique videos, cover art and live visuals and a major part of The Young Punx brand. Han's Young Punx videos alone have received over a million views on YouTube and become a regular feature of his own exhibitions.
Recent News
Closing 2009 with a Remix EP featuring work from the likes of Black Noize and Riva Starr and double A-side single ‘Simple Pleasures / Like Dat’, The Young Punx look towards 2010 with a number of exciting projects under their hats. The new album Mashpop & Punkstep and the release of the exclusive Kneissl Young Punx skis being just two of them, and demonstrating once again the creative range & appeal, of this band.
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