Hard House

Hard house (or UK hard house) emerged in the early 1990s in the UK. Its roots are German and Belgian techno, US and handbag house and early trance.

Characteristics of hard house tracks are a rather fast tempo between 135 and 160 bpm, raw electronic sounds, offbeat bass stabs and usually a break in the middle. Often used is the hoover sound, a distinctive lead sound with a complex waveform traditionally created on Roland synthesizers Alpha Juno-2, Alpha Juno or MKS-50 which is characteristic of several »hard« EDM styles.

Strongly associated with hard house is London-based gay nightclub Trade: dj/ producer Tony De Vit who is credited to have brought hard house from the underground to mainstream clubs was a regular visitor and later became resident dj there. Trade became a club night brand – besides many to others, examples being Sundissential and Tidy Boys (both Birmingham), Sin:ergy (Manchester) and Frantic (London).

Hard house always enjoyed its most popularity in the UK and South Africa. Typical/ successful hard house tracks are »I Don't Care« (1996) and »Are You All Ready?« (2003) by Tony De Vit, »Up to No Good« (1996) and »Amour (C'Mon)« (1997) by The Porn Kings as well as »Looking Good« (1999) by Lisa Lashes.