Mike Dred

Mike Dred (aka Chimera, Judge Dred, and <a href="spotify:artist:3xqcPKSD4Wj9BQOKDPAWpT">the Kosmik Kommando</a>) makes acid-tinged experimental techno geared both for the dancefloor and for home listening. A member of the U.K.'s extended West Country experimental techno family (which also includes Reload, <a href="spotify:artist:6kBDZFXuLrZgHnvmPu9NsG">the Aphex Twin</a>, and <a href="spotify:artist:0zdn1nNmOZXHZ9K28FvcFp">Matt Herbert</a>), Dred drew early inspiration from European synth-pop groups like <a href="spotify:artist:0dmPX6ovclgOy8WWJaFEUU">Kraftwerk</a> and <a href="spotify:artist:1aX2dmV8XoHYCOQRxjPESG">the Human League</a>, as well as the American electro scene spreading like wildfire in the mid-'80s London underground. Although he's recorded for a variety of different labels, including R&S, R&S offshoot Diatomyc (which he helps run), and his own Machine Codes label, the bulk of his material has appeared on Richard James' Rephlex imprint, mostly under <a href="spotify:artist:3xqcPKSD4Wj9BQOKDPAWpT">the Kosmik Kommando</a> and Chimera names. Reportedly hooking up with the label after meeting some friends of James' on a train en route to a rave in Köln, Dred's penchant for harsh, relentlessly experimental acid and techno fit neatly into the Rephlex vision, and Dred's first Kosmik Kommando EP was among the first 12-inches the label released. Dred's Rephlex discography has since grown to include two full-length albums (one each under the <a href="spotify:artist:3xqcPKSD4Wj9BQOKDPAWpT">KK</a> and Chimera names) and five EPs, with releases on Diatomyc and Machine Codes numbering close behind. His first proper album, Virtual Farmer, appeared in late 1998. [See Also: <a href="spotify:artist:3xqcPKSD4Wj9BQOKDPAWpT">Kosmik Kommando</a>] ~ Sean Cooper