Reload
INTERVIEW WITH STEVE BLAKLEY,
THE “GODFATHER OF DENVER
DRUM’N’BASS
Words: Chad Allen / Photography: Sean Hartgrove
For almost thirty years, Jungle or Drum’n’Bass music, known for its deep sub-bass patterns, hardcore, rough and sometimes funky higher melodies, with drums as a generally faster breakbeat
style rhythm typically clocking at a swift 170-180 beats per minute, has become one of the most
recognized and well known underground genres in EDM. DnB has also been one of the most influential genres in music. For most of the last decade Jungle music helped to mold the sounds
of other popular genres like hip hop, trip hop, and all forms of EDM, as well as really paving
the way for newer sounds like dubstep and trap music; making appearances in mainstream
media, movies, and television every month.
All across the globe, from the UK to the US, DnB has had a strong and dedicated following, holding true with some of the most loyal fans in any genre of music. Packing out
venues ranging from dive bars and clubs to filling the likes of concert halls, stadiums,
and arenas, while testing the capacity limit. On a Saturday in Denver on a cool
May night, the Gothic Theater has opened its doors to one of the most notorious
Drum’n’Bass crews in the Midwest, RELOAD.
For the last twenty years, to even