VIPER RECORDINGS
With its top-notch productions, club bangers and electric live shows, Viper Recordings oozes quality. Label boss Futurebound (real name Brendan Collins) has been active on the scene ever since drum & bass was just getting started. And his enthusiasm and drive appear to be as high as ever.
THE ORIGINS
Hailing from the UK city of Liverpool, a hotbed for aspiring musical talent, Futurebound first made his debut on the scene back in the early nineties. After getting inspiration from his visits to illegal raves, he set out to master the decks and eventually secured a residency warming up for heavyweights such as Grooverider and Carl Cox. From here, he would start to bring in artists like LTJ Bukem, Ray Keith and Goldie for his parties in Liverpool.
After cementing his name as a major player in the industry with a series of releases on various labels, Futurebound decided to take the next step, establishing his own label. In 2004, Viper Recordings was born with its first ever release, Futurebound & Jaquan’s EP: Blind Cobblers Thump/Pied Piper.
MATRIX & FUTUREBOUND
Since 2005, Futurebound has been collaborating with fellow DJ and producer Matrix, who also owns his own label: Metro Recordings. The duo has gone from strength to strength, electrifying live audiences worldwide and releasing euphoric club-bangers. Commercial success has deservedly followed with four UK Top 40 singles: All I know, Magnetic Eyes, Control and Don’t Look Back.
JAGUAR SKILLS
If you ever get the chance to see Jaguar Skills play live, Do It! The mysterious balaclava-wearing mashup mix-master came to fame in the UK with his eclectic guest mixes on Radio 1, blending drum & bass, as well as everything from hip hop to movie theme tunes. For a breathtaking 60-minute rollercoaster ride down memory lane, search for “Jaguar Skills History of Drum n Bass.”
SHOCKONE (+ FRIENDS)
ShockOne has been one of the biggest stars on Viper. The Australian hit it big with his 2013 debut album Universus, earning the top spot on the Itunes Australia album chart – still smashing it in 2019.
Continuing the Aussie theme, Viper recently welcomed Ekko & Sidetrack on board the label too (big up!).
Other big name artists on the current roster include Blaine Stranger, BMotion, Brookes Brothers, Cyantific, Dossa & Locuzzed, InsideInfo, Insomniax, Koven, Toronto Is Broken and Trei. More recently,
Viper Recordings also boasts some ultra juicy releases from the likes of Sigma, Camo & Krooked, DC Breaks and Nero.
TODAY
Fast forward to today and Viper Recordings has continued its dedication to releasing high-quality material, including recent albums from The Prototypes, Cyantific, Brookes Brothers and InsideInfo as well as the Drum & Bass Summer Slammers series and The Sound of Drum & Bass series.
Viper Live was also launched in 2015 featuring worldwide live events and tours including hair-raising performances at Fabric Nightclub in London, Let It Roll Festival in the Czech Republic and Tomorrowland Festival in Belgium.
Futurebound’s dedication to his label and drum & bass continues. He’s a true veteran of the scene and knows how to bring out the very best in Viper’s talented artists, choosing never to rush things.
“I like to meet everyone we sign and look them in the eye. I want to understand their work ethic. Are they prepared? … Musically, I’m looking for a creative spark. Technical skills can be taught; originality can’t” – Futurebound