Billy ‘Daniel’ Bunter Interview

Whilst out partying by the Red Sea, we managed to catch up with the old skool legend Billy Bunter after a world-exclusive funky house set @ Ministry of Sound Hurghada (Egypt) to pick his brains on just about anything...

Billy Daniel Bunter image What, and when, was your first major break into the scene?
"End of 89 beginning of 1990 for Labrynth/2000ad. I had been working in a record shop in East London as a Saturday Job when I was at school, and met the promoters in there. That was nearly 18 years ago, and DJ'ing has been my job ever since."

What, and when, was your first major break into the scene?
"End of 89 beginning of 1990 for Labrynth/2000ad. I had been working in a record shop in East London as a Saturday Job when I was at school, and met the promoters in there. That was nearly 18 years ago, and DJ'ing has been my job ever since."

Where did your name stem from and why did you choose this?
"It was my nick name in the record shop. Originally every one called me Danny Bukem, as I used to book all the new releases in, but at the same time there was LTJ Bukem playing at Raindance, so the promoters of Labrynth went with Billy Daniel Bunter."

Real Name, Age, Location…. "Daniel Light, 32, Hertfordshire …. Sir!"

What are your thoughts on Egypt and the nightlife in the area?
"Brilliant. Couldn’t believe how informed the crowds were on their music, and the set up of Ministry in Hurghada and Pacha in Sharm were with out a doubt up there with the best clubs in the world. We got some brilliant footage of the Ministry crowd going nuts."

How was your set at MoS Hurghada
"Loved it… Built it up with some nice underground house, and then hit the crowd with all the current big funky and electro tunes. One of my most memorable gigs so far this year."

Did hardcore ever die? Your thoughts…
"Hardcore never died, it just moved on in many exciting direction. You can hear the original vibe of tracks like Energy Flash & LFO in so many of today’s main stream electro house."

You’re obviously a renowned Old Skool legend, but these days your name is more associated with Hard House and Breaks, at Ministry of Sound you played a world-exclusive Funky House set – has your versatility caused any problems / confusion or complaints from your hardcore faithful (if so your thoughts)?
"Nah. I’ve done this so long now, and have been through so many era’s, that many age groups and musical crowds have followed me about. I think people are not so closed minded to not like you because you are in to so many music styles."

Favourite or most memorable remixes you’ve worked on?
"Has to be Put your hands up for Detroit with Slipmatt and Snap – The Power with Jon Doe. An honour to mix such classics."

Favourite or most memorable tracks you’ve worked on?
"Bang the future - Body Slam. We are just working on new remixes in Breaks, House, D & B and hardcore."

I understand you run three record-labels, can you tell us a bit about them?
"At the moment I have my Honey Pot Recordings Ltd music company which is working along side Slipmatt’s – Universal records, and we are signing a number of tracks from House to Hardcore, Breaks to Drum & Bass for single release and album release."

You also manage to find time to run your own clubnight, Tasty, can you enlighten us on this a little more?
"Tasty is one of London’s standout multi arenas underground parties covering all the music styles I play out. Our next event is being held in a church in South London for a few thousand party people."

How did the Ministry of Sound deal come about?
"They called me out of the blue 18 months ago to put together a classics album. I thought it would be a one off thing that wouldn’t do as good as it did. 300 000 albums later, about 20 remixes of their biggest material and another years worth of projects and we are still working very closely together."

Biggest achievement to date, both personally and career-wise?
"Career wise, still being here and constantly getting booked. Plus my gold disk for my 1st Ministry album. Personally my sexy wife (Sonya) and our two children."

You must have visited thousands of venues and clubnghts in your time, which three UK parties would you say are current flavour of the months?
"Raindance …. The UK's number 1 underground party. Epidemik @ Ministry / London …. For pushing the scene forward. Tasty … It’s my party!!!!"

Best three international clubbing cities / clubs and why?
"Sydney Super Dome, you don’t get better then playing to 10,000+ people in a massive arena. MOS Hurghada, just something about playing in a beach club in the open air is magic. SE1 - London, proper under ground ware house rave vibes."

You’ve been visiting Egypt with your young family, how, if at all, has this affected your DJ lifestyle and career?
"After 18 years I have learned how to cope with the 2 different life styles. It can be hard, but that’s life for any family. For my children, my job is every day life to them, so they know no different."

How would you feel if they wanted to follow in Daddy’s footsteps?
"They already are. Writing music, learning bits of studio equipment, becoming interested in music. It makes me proud to see."

Aside from the above, what other future or current projects are you working on at present?
"Me and Slipmatt are working on our new albums. We are remixing a number of massive hit’s. Releasing singles on our labels. Running Tasty and touring the UK and World. The list is endless."

You can get all the latest on Billy 'Daniel' Bunter's shenanigans at his MySpace profile below...