Regis (musician)

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Regis (Karl O'Connor) is without doubt one of the few mavericks to emerge from the early-mid nineties British techno scene. As label boss of the highly influential Downwards Records, he alongside his label mate Surgeon forged a sound that would uniquely blend their love of raw Chicago House with that of darker European electronics. Although initially his plan was to take a more director of operations role ( he cites Daniel Miller has his greatest influence ) O'Connor and his LABEL partner Peter Sutton ( Female ) found it increasingly difficult to find artists to share their vision and to this day still work with the same core artists. His debut e.p "Montreal" spawned the hypnotic industrial classic "Speak To Me" . Other standout releases from the period include the " Gymnastics " 2x12" and the "Application of Language " ep both a lesson in hard minimal electronics. The era was capped off by a heavy duty remix of "Totmacher" by D.J Hell.

Things came full circle in the late Nineties when O'Connor went on to work with and produce his childhood heroes Robert Gorl and Chrislo Hass ( Deutsch Amerikanische Freundschaft ) but by this time he was already developing a more layered and tonal sound that would become his trademark in the following years.

in 2000 Downwards continued their unorthadox approach to the dance music by releasing a series of 7" releases. The 7" ' s were a collection of noise loops, cut ups and industrial death pop. Again the highlight being O'Connors manic Suicide-esque " A Man Has Responsibilities " under the Diversion Group guise. Also that year saw the release of " Against Nature " for Tresor. Recorded as Karl O'Connor and Peter Sutton the lp was a stunning example of raw techno coupled with organic field recordings and remains a true gem in the Berlin labels catalogue.

2001 saw the release of "Penetration" a record that would re-invent and push the Regis sound on yet again. A combination of Tonal drones layered with heavy percussion proved to be an inspiration to a whole new generation of Techno producer. This influence was underlined when Regis and Surgeon started the British Murder Boys project in 2002. More a group project, BMB drew on their non techno influences to create a truly original concept for the dancefloor. The recorded output had moments of genius like the tracks " Don't Give Way To Fear "and "Learn Your Lesson" but it was live where the project really shone. Gigs often ending up in total chaos because Child would engage the audience in a wall of digital feedback while O'Connor armed with a mic would bark commands from the middle of the dance floor.

Although less prolific in the last few years Regis remains one of the true anti-heroes of Techno.