Veteran DJ- John 00 Fleming speaks Psy Trance, his unique position in music and sofas.

The brand new album Psy Trance Euphoria sees DJ John 00 Fleming and Ministry of Sound combine forces to create the first 3 disc album of underground Psy Trance and artist album attached.

Having played sets across the globe over a 20 year period, Chloe Addo was keen to find out about John 00 Fleming’s plans for the future,whether he’s a fan of James Bond and an explanation of Psy Trance. 

How would you describe Psy Trance Euphoria to a novice?

Good question. Psy trance tries to keep itself away from the masses. Giving it this trance name disguises it from club trance and takes trance back to its true form. You’re going to hear a pure underground version of trance music.

Is Psy Trance Euphoria only for hardcore Trance fans only?

No. Euphoria has a really strong fan base so anyone who would have bought Dave Pearce’s album would come and buy mine as well- because they trust the euphoria brand. It looks like it’s going to make it to number 3 in the HMV chart, so think that answer’s your question, people are giving it a listen. It’s really exciting.

Are you worried that this CD will ruin the underground nature of Psy Trance?

Not at all, I think it’s a good time; people are hungry for something new. You can’t hide the fact that trance has died over the last decade. Everyone got bored, people got fed up. I’m hoping to ignite a new lease of life to the trance scene.

Psy Trance got a little bit tarnished in its early days- people think its music for hippies, people running around a field at 100 mph to hard crazy music. But it’s not like that, there’s a whole world within Trance, from breaks to progression, through to deep trance. Yes it does go up to that mad stuff, but people have their blinkers on too much.

This album acts like an introduction if you haven’t heard of Psy Trance. Have a listen to it- I think people will be surprised. I’m in a unique position that I’ve played both sides of the trance world, people know me from Euphoria and Gatecrasher so I think I’m a good person to do this compilation.

What are your favourite tracks from the new CD?

All of them (he laughs). All the music I got sent through to be put on the album was amazing. Trying to narrow it down to just forty tracks for the album was so hard. They were pretty much all the favourites. There are so many tracks I couldn’t use, I was gutted.

You’ve had a career in music spanning over 20 years or so- When do you plan to stop? – If ever?

Never, the day I stop getting excited over the music is the day I’ll stop. I still get that same feeling I got twenty odd years ago when I’d go to the post office to pick up new music, although I get them on my server nowadays. I’m like a kid when I get new music, all excited.

Where is your favourite club to DJ at in the UK?

The Gallery- such a shame its closing down.

Gatecrasher as also come alive, I know there base is in Sheffield but playing all those sets is good.

Oh and I just played the opening at Slinky in Bournemouth, it was brilliant just like the good old days. Those are probably the three key ones.

Where is your favourite club to DJ at in abroad?

Ministry of Sound in Singapore- that’s a state of the art club, no money spared there. Not in a glitz and glam way it’s classy.

1015 (Ten 15) in San Francisco too.

Where is your favourite club to go as a regular punter when you’re not working?

I have nothing to do with the entertainment world. I just cherish all my spare time on the sofa because I rarely see it. I just want to get away from it all.

Are there any bands/Artists/DJs you tip as the next big thing in 2008?

There are a few people breaking through, got a good feeling about a guy called Jay Selway from Washington DC, he’s really on to a good sound at the moment, and Christopher Lawrence.

Who is your all time favourite artist/DJ/band?

Woody Noize, few of their tracks are on the compilation as well. Their good guys, for me they give a real true sound of Trance music.

I enjoy working with them and we’ve become good friends and I pretty much chat to them everyday. Despite the cliché Trance music brought us together.

What were the first steps you took to get onto the Trance scene?

I was lucky- my headmaster got me into it. It wasn’t like it is today, where it’s a kind of fashion thing and everyone wants to be a DJ. Back then the DJ was the guy who sat in the corner. It was an unsociable job.

I use to go record shopping on my lunch, and it was a usual thing to do. My headmaster noticed that I collected music and he wanted to put on an under 18’s night at school and he suggested I do it. From that day on the club took me on as a resident DJ and the rest is history.

How would you describe your style?

It’s definitely Trance but I dare to say it because it’s known for being quite poppy, like DJ Sammy. I play more of the pure Trance sound but I think it’s a DJ’s job to use different styles to move the dance floor forward, guess that’s why I don’t want to pigeon hole myself too much.

Are you a fan of James Bond?

I think I am secretly but the name didn’t come around because of that. All the DJs gave me the gimmick years ago and it just kind of stuck.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Still doing this I hope.

I want to concentrate on studio production, which is what I’ve been doing over the last few years. The first CD is my artist album which is attached to the new compilation and I definitely love the benefits of sitting in the studio.

We’ve, my production partner Digital Blonde (we go under 00.db), got another album coming out because we had too many tracks to put on one CD. We’re also getting into live shows as well. We did the Boxing Day at Gatecrasher and we’re also playing at the Summer Sound System Festival. Everyone seems to love the live stuff we’re doing.

The new compilation, Psy Trance Euphoria will be released February 18th.

Read more: 

Psy Trance Euphoria Unleashed

Gatescrasher Summer Sound System.