Hard House History

Paul Glazby
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Music Interviews
  • Updated Weekly

Welcome to Hard House History, formerly known as When I Grow Up, hosted by Hard House icon Paul Glazby. This podcast dives deep into the evolution of the Hard House movement, exploring the music, the culture, and the unforgettable nights that defined an era. Join Paul as he reconnects with the DJs, producers, promoters, and fans who built the scene from the underground up. Whether you lived it or are discovering it for the first time, Hard House History is your front-row seat to the beats, stories, and energy that still move dancefloors today.

  1. 4d ago

    Tom Muir from Insomniacz: Is Hard House Bigger Now Than in 1999?

    Hard House History celebrates one year since its rebrand with a return guest who helped shape Paul Glazby's career. Insomniacz promoter Tom Muir joins Paul for an honest, hilarious conversation about the scene's resurgence, the realities of running events and why their story is still being written. Tom helped establish Paul as a hard house DJ back in 2000. Now, decades later, they're watching familiar faces return to the dance floor alongside a younger generation discovering the music for themselves. From growing friendship groups to the appeal of daytime parties, Tom explains why today's atmosphere feels special, and why he believes Insomniacz is bigger now than it was in its early years. One of the episode's standout stories is Lost in the Woods, an event that sold out without announcing a single DJ. Tom shares why he backed the experience over the headline names, before opening up about booking fees, rising expectations and the financial risks promoters carry behind the scenes. They laugh as they revisit This Is Hard House, Lisa and Fergie's face-to-face set, and the afterparty that got Paul onto the dance floor. Then comes the story of Fergie rejecting Paul's headphones, a reminder that even veteran DJs aren't safe from a little humiliation. The conversation also explores Leonie's progress, the importance of learning to beatmatch by ear, and Paul's frustration with poorly positioned monitors. Looking ahead, Tom discusses taking Halloween into castle courtyards, the return of Glazby Time, New Year's Day with Bryan Kearney and plans to bring Insomniacz back to Magna with Paul van Dyk. Underneath the banter is a shared appreciation for the people keeping this music alive, including Vicky, the returning ravers and the next generation stepping into the scene. Got an Insomniacz memory you'll never forget? Tell us your favourite night, venue, or Glazby moment in the comments, and share this episode with the mate you were there with. Subscribe to Hard House History, then join the YouTube members area or Patreon for bonus conversations, exclusive Paul Glazby mixes, and more from the people behind the music. #HardHouseHistory #PaulGlazby #TomMuir #Insomniacz #HardHouse #HardHouseRevival #UKClubCulture #RaveCommunity #GlazbyTime #LostInTheWoods

  2. Oct 12

    Matt Smallwood: A Life in Dance Music

    One Sunday morning, one DJ booth and one encounter with Tony De Vit changed everything. In this episode of Hard House History, Paul Glazby sits down with Matt Smallwood to trace a life in dance music, from teenage obsession and London club nights to producing hard house and helping shape releases for global artists. Matt takes us back to Sunnyside Up, where a sixteen-year-old newcomer found himself beside Tony De Vit, watching records being selected and learning how a master controlled the energy of a dancefloor. His account of Tony's mixing technique captures the excitement of discovering something that would become much more than a weekend interest. Then come the belt-drive decks, handwritten demo tapes and nervous first opportunities. Matt recalls landing an unexpected set at Trinity at the Chunnel Club when Tony Price was delayed, turning a last-minute favour into a regular opportunity. Along the way, Steve Thomas, Trade, and London's underground scene helped him understand what makes a set connect. The conversation moves into his creative partnership with Ali Wilson, making music in the Blue Room Studio and releasing tracks including Let the Games Begin, Just Listen, Devastation and Give Me All You Got. Paul and Matt revisit their shared Vicious Circle connections, friendships that have lasted decades, and the possibility of returning to the studio. Beyond the booth, Matt explains how Trackitdown opened the door to a different side of the industry. He spent 13 years at Toolroom, moving from licensing and compilations to leading A&R and label management. He also reflects on signing Feel My Need and the difficult decision to leave a team that felt like family. Now working at Club Class, Matt shares the realities of managing labels, developing The Cross and overseeing music releases connected to James Hype and Meduza. It's a conversation about opportunity, relationships and keeping that original musical spark alive. Listen now, then tell us which DJ, track or club night first got you hooked. Share this episode with the mate who was there, and follow Hard House History for stories from the people behind the scenes. #HardHouseHistory #MattSmallwood #PaulGlazby #TonyDeVit #HardHouse #AliWilson #ViciousCircle #ToolroomRecords #DanceMusicHistory #UKClubCulture

  3. Oct 5

    General Bounce: 25 Years Behind the Decks

    General Bounce joins Paul Glazby on the Hard House History Podcast for a candid, funny and opinionated conversation about 25 years behind the decks. From his first club gigs in August 2001 to running Cheeky Tracks and finding an audience through video, this episode explores a career built on energy, individuality and a genuine love of dance music. Before the clubs came the influences: Culture Club, Pet Shop Boys, A-ha and a school trip to Germany that introduced him to clubbing at just 15. Jimmy Somerville also comes up, whose moves might help explain General Bounce's unmistakable dancing. The conversation moves into Cheeky Tracks, the label he took ownership of in 2015. With the catalogue approaching 800 releases, he explains why musical variety matters, how he has maintained a weekly release schedule, and what streaming has changed for artists and labels. His LDC Radio show provides another window into life behind the music, from juggling mixing and microphone duties to discovering unexpected swearing in tracks. Paul contributes a pirate radio story that proves checking the broadcast is actually working can be rather important. Then comes the debate: are modern hard house tracks too short, or do longer records need to earn their running time? Paul and General Bounce discuss mixing, dancefloor journeys, and why cramming more tracks into a set doesn't automatically make it better. General Bounce also champions the younger producers rediscovering the genre's roots, including Kyle Starkey, and questions the criticism they receive from established fans. Alongside reflections on BK and Tony De Vit's influence, it becomes a conversation about giving hard house room to evolve. There is plenty of personality too, as he explains recording sets around caring for his mum, turning footage into reels, and poking fun at promotional trends through his Content Cringe videos. He also discusses returning to production with Pump Fiction on a remix of The Shrink's Wicked. Listen now, then tell us: do you prefer long blends or shorter tracks? Share your favourite General Bounce moment, send this episode to your clubbing crew, and follow Hard House History. #HardHouseHistory #GeneralBounce #PaulGlazby #CheekyTracks #HardHouse #UKHardHouse #HardDance #DJCulture #DanceMusicPodcast #ClubCulture

  4. Sep 28

    Jon Doe: Inside the Golden Era of UK Hard House

    This week on Hard House History, Paul Glazby sits down with producer, DJ and underground dance music chameleon Jon Doe for a journey through one of the most fascinating careers to emerge from the UK's hard dance scene. Jon's story does not follow a conventional path. From discovering energetic electronic music through artists including KLF, to buying records with money earned washing dishes as a teenager, DJing school discos and eventually sending out his first demo tapes, his obsession with music quickly became something much bigger. The conversation takes us deep into the world of Alpha Magic, where Jon produced records at an extraordinary rate during one of the most exciting periods in hard house. He recalls working alongside names including Chris C, Billy Bunter and Madame Zu, the rise of the Mohawk releases, the beginnings of Honeypot and the sheer volume of music coming out of the studio. Jon also explains how leaving Alpha Magic opened another chapter. Working through Infectious Distribution, producing the Chunk and Toast releases and creating faster, rave-influenced hard house for Billy Bunter eventually helped lead to D Records. But this episode is about much more than individual releases. Jon and Paul revisit a completely different era of dance music, when independent record shops were meeting places for DJs, producers, and promoters; demos could genuinely find their way from the counter to a record label; and scenes were built through physical records and personal connections. Jon even recalls a young Craig David visiting Movement Records before his breakthrough. The story eventually moves into Jon's return to hardcore through CLSM, his attempts to push harder underground music into the mainstream and a career that has repeatedly crossed the boundaries between hardcore, hard house, breaks and beyond. There are stories, tangents, forgotten records, industry madness and enough unfinished business that Paul is already talking about a Part Two. Join the History Hit play and join Paul Glazby and Jon Doe for a proper trip through the record shops, studios, labels and characters that helped shape UK hard dance. If you love the history behind the music, follow Hard House History and share this episode with someone who remembers when the record shop was the centre of the scene. #HardHouseHistory #JonDoe #PaulGlazby #HardHouse #HardDance #UKHardHouse #CLSM #BillyBunter #DanceMusicHistory #RaveCulture

  5. Sep 21

    London Hard House Reunion 2026 | Celebrating 15 Years

    The Hard House History Podcast heads to Auckland, New Zealand, for the London Hard House Reunion 2026, celebrating 15 incredible years of hard house, hard trance and unforgettable dancefloor memories! Join host Paul Glazby as he catches up with some of the biggest names in the scene for a special episode dedicated to the music, friendships and community that have made this event a favourite among hard house fans. This anniversary celebration brings together an incredible collection of DJs and producers, including BK, Rob Tissera, K90, Steve Hill, Shark Boy, Grant Thompson, Matt Adam, Eamon and Reuben Fevah, Blair Hawkes and more. Paul gets behind the decks and into the stories, exploring the tracks these artists couldn't wait to play, the clubs that shaped their careers and what makes the London Hard House Reunion such a special occasion. Rob Tissera shares memories of watching Carl Cox perform in Leeds, while BK discusses his latest productions, classic remixes and the challenges of putting a fresh spin on legendary records. K90 talks about revisiting some of his biggest hard trance anthems, and Grant Thompson takes us back to the unforgettable atmosphere of Solid Sunday at the Mean Fiddler. There's plenty of humour, too, as Paul and Shark Boy debate whether eight-minute tracks still have a place in modern hard house. Paul also revisits his legendary ten-hour retirement set and reveals what happened to his vinyl collection. Meanwhile, Eamon and Reuben Fevah represent the next generation, sharing the stage as father and son. But beyond the music, this episode captures the reunion's true spirit. It's about lifelong friendships, reconnecting with familiar faces and celebrating a scene that continues to bring people together. Fifteen years on, the passion is as strong as ever, and the London Hard House Reunion remains a celebration of everything that makes this music special. Whether you were on the dancefloor or watching from afar, join us for a trip through hard house history! Join the HistoryWere you at London Hard House Reunion 2026? Tell us your favourite moment, the track that made your night or the DJ who brought back the biggest memories! Share your stories in the comments, follow Hard House History and help us celebrate 15 years of incredible music and unforgettable reunions. #HardHouseHistory #LondonHardHouseReunion #LHHR2026 #PaulGlazby #HardHouse #HardTrance #BK #RobTissera #K90 #HardDance

  6. Sep 14

    Glynn Tolley: The Untold Story of Kiss Da Funk

    In this episode of Hard House History, Paul Glazby sits down with Glynn Tolley for a brilliant journey through more than three decades of dance music, club culture, production and promotion. Glynn's story begins long before the superclubs and packed dancefloors. From making pretend radio shows on a reel-to-reel recorder as a child to DJing school discos, saving for his first pair of Technics and eventually warming up alongside the likes of Sasha, his route into dance music was anything but conventional. The conversation moves into Glynn's early production career and Within a Dream's "Where Is the Feeling?", a record that sparked major-label interest and eventually found its way to Kylie Minogue. Glynn shares the remarkable story behind the track, the record-industry politics surrounding its original release, and how Kylie eventually recorded her own interpretation. Then comes Leeds. Glynn recalls becoming involved with Sundissential, initially helping create a safer environment for clubbers before becoming increasingly involved behind the scenes. From there came Funkessential and, following one of the more colourful chapters in the story, the birth of Kiss Da Funk. What followed was an extraordinary period in UK clubbing. Glynn and the Kiss Da Funk team brought David Guetta to the north of England before he became a global superstar, booked Axwell, Steve Angello and Sebastian Ingrosso before Swedish House Mafia existed, brought Eric Morillo back to Leeds and even became the first promoters to bring Avicii to the UK. There are plenty of classic behind-the-scenes stories too, from club politics and financial gambles to Ibiza madness and the characters who made the era unforgettable. Finally, Paul and Glynn discuss the resurrection of Kiss Da Funk after almost 12 years away, and why a generation of clubbers is finding its way back onto the dancefloor. Join the History Hit play and hear the stories behind one of UK clubland's great success stories, told by someone who was right in the middle of it. And if you were there the first time around, Kiss Da Funk is back, with the next event at Mint Warehouse on 26 September. #HardHouseHistory #GlynnTolley #KissDaFunk #PaulGlazby #UKClubCulture #DanceMusicHistory #HouseMusic #Clubland #DJCulture #RaveCulture

  7. Sep 7

    Judge Jules: From Illegal Raves to Radio 1 Royalty

    Some DJs have been part of dance music history, while others have helped shape it. In this episode of Hard House History, Paul Glazby sits down with the legendary Judge Jules for a journey through more than four decades of clubs, radio, raves, Ibiza and electronic music. Jules takes us right back to the beginning, from discovering electronic music through acts including Human League and Heaven 17 to experiencing the sheer power of New Order on a proper club sound system at Camden Palace. From there, his musical education took another huge turn with visits to New York's Paradise Garage and an introduction to the emerging sound of house music. The conversation uncovers the unlikely origins of the Judge Jules name, born while Jules was a law student promoting unlicensed parties and often finding himself the one tasked with speaking to the police. Those early events, his love of rare groove and old-school hip-hop, and a chance encounter at Clink Street would eventually help launch one of British dance music's most enduring careers. Jules and Paul explore the acid house explosion, Kiss FM, the move to BBC Radio 1, the legendary broadcasts, Ibiza and the creation of Judgment Sundays. They also discuss the harder side of Jules' sound and why the lines between trance, techno and hard house are becoming increasingly blurred again. There is plenty of reflection too. Jules talks about the importance of luck, preparation, and staying relevant; the responsibility a DJ has to the crowd; and finding the balance between educating and entertaining a dancefloor. He also explains why, after four decades, he is still searching every week for records with that elusive "magic factor". The conversation also moves into his remarkable second career as an entertainment lawyer, returning to study while still DJing before ultimately becoming a partner in his own firm. From underground parties to Radio 1, Ibiza superclubs, law and an MBE, this is the story of a career that continues to evolve. JOIN THE HISTORY If you love hearing the real stories behind the DJs, clubs, records and moments that built our scene, like, comment, share and subscribe to Hard House History. For bonus episode content, exclusive Paul Glazby mixes and more, join the YouTube Members area or Patreon. #HardHouseHistory #JudgeJules #PaulGlazby #HardHouse #DanceMusic #TranceMusic #Radio1 #Ibiza #RaveCulture #ElectronicMusic

  8. Aug 31

    Hugo & The Test Lounge: For Dad, For the Music

    This episode of Hardhouse History is about far more than records, DJs and dancefloors. Paul Glazby sits down with 19-year-old Hugo from The Test Lounge for a deeply personal conversation about family, loss, musical discovery, and carrying forward something his dad, Chris, started purely for the love of music. The Test Lounge began with a simple idea. Chris wanted to dig into his incredible record collection, play the music he loved and share it with anyone who wanted to listen. It wasn't about followers or creating content. It was about spreading happiness and excitement through music. Following Chris's sudden passing, Hugo found himself surrounded by thousands of records, a DJ setup and an extraordinary musical legacy. Despite an unsuccessful attempt to learn to DJ with his dad when he was younger, Hugo decided to try again. Hours of practice eventually produced that first proper mix, almost perfectly timed with Fergie walking through the door. With encouragement from Fergie and two close friends, Hugo eventually decided to bring The Test Lounge back, this time putting his own personality in front of the camera. Paul and Hugo talk about the staggering breadth of Chris's collection, from hard house, Trippy Traxx, Positiva and Defected through to Michael Jackson, Prince, Elvis, NWA, Beastie Boys and Frank Sinatra. For Hugo, exploring those thousands of records has become a musical education in itself. There's also plenty of talk about Fergie's influence and support, Hugo's love of the harder sounds, his first vinyl DJ set at the Spin reunion in Birmingham and the unforgettable feeling of watching a dancefloor actually dance. That experience also brought home one of his Dad's strongest beliefs: put the phones away, forget about the DJ and enjoy the music. For Hugo, that philosophy is now at the heart of what comes next. The Test Lounge started with Chris. Hugo isn't trying to replace that story. He's carrying it forward while beginning one of his own. JOIN THE HISTORY Discover the story behind The Test Lounge, hear Hugo's journey into DJing and celebrate a musical legacy being passed from one generation to the next. Listen to the full episode of Hardhouse History now, and if you love the stories behind the music, follow the podcast, share the episode and help us keep Hardhouse History alive. #HardhouseHistory #TheTestLounge #HardHouse #HardHouseMusic #DJCulture #VinylDJ #DanceMusicHistory #FergieDJ #UKHardHouse #DJLife

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About

Welcome to Hard House History, formerly known as When I Grow Up, hosted by Hard House icon Paul Glazby. This podcast dives deep into the evolution of the Hard House movement, exploring the music, the culture, and the unforgettable nights that defined an era. Join Paul as he reconnects with the DJs, producers, promoters, and fans who built the scene from the underground up. Whether you lived it or are discovering it for the first time, Hard House History is your front-row seat to the beats, stories, and energy that still move dancefloors today.

Information

  • Creator
    Paul Glazby
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    98
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Paul Glazby

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