Underworld

Based in Romford, Essex, Underworld began in the late 1980’s as a funk rock affair produced by Tom Bailey of the Thompson Twins and found some success, particularly in the USA.

A second album followed, before key members Karl Hyde (guitar/vocals) and Rick Smith (keyboards) reformed the band as a mainly dance music-orientated band with DJ Darren Emerson.

Their first releases were the privately distributed “The Hump” and “Dirty” (released as Lemon Interrupt.) In 1993 the tracks “Mmm Skyscraper” “I Love You” and “Rez”, became popular with dance music fans.

Underworld performed live at Megadog and the MIDI Circus and achieved further recognition in 1993 when they released the album Dubnobasswithmyheadman.

The album featured a broad ranging techno style. Mixing elements of various styles including ambient, house, techno and dub it was a move away from a pure techno sound.

The single “Born Slippy” gained mass exposure on the soundtrack to Trainspotting. It was re-issued in 1996 when it became a chart hit. This was followed by the track “Second Toughest In The Infants.”

They also headlined at the Reading festival that year.

In March 1999 the album Beaucoup Fish was released to positive reviews but the following April Emerson announced his decision to leave the band to work on solo projects.

Underworld have remixed a number of artists including Bjork, Simply Red and Orbital, and continue to DJ around the UK.