Here are some articles about Diehard which came out over the years.

Many thanks to United States of Hardcore for the use of their reviews, see their website: www.ush.net





Dave Review - Diehard - Christmas Cracker 27th-Dec-2008

Well what a great night we all had. It was so good that in these times of credit crunches and expensive Christmas's that so many of you turned up for this Party.

First up was TopVibe and Destiny. They kicked off the night with a 90 minute set of Happy Techno. I have Big Love and Respect for these boys cause they got you the raver into the right atmosphere for the rest of the night. Thanks Chaps you are both well appreciated by Paul and I

Pants played a bouncey old skool set. Altho i didnt get to hear all of it I did get very positive feed back. Ants the crowd loved you. You are one of their own. You played as only a True Diehard Raver could. Thanks mate.

Resonate played a blinding set. That Man never ever fails and I am so glad that I went on a mission to track him down and get him back behind the decks. The world needs D.J's like Resonate. He is truly original and creative with his tune selection. Thanks for playing Giorgio you still have it.

All the Dieharders loved Scorpio and Jay P's set but quite a few of the Hyperbolic crew were a little taken back if not terrorised by the Hardness of their set. Some even really got into it as they had open minds and went with the vibe that flowed through the Diehard Tekno Madness. Simon and Jay Thank you for a blinding Set. You entertained and Educated ravers as only you can.

Breeze and Unknown, did they deliver the goods. tune after tune. I knew back in June when I spoke to them out in Spain that they would go down a treat. And there last tune "Heart of Gold" went out from my heart to All of You there. Just a point of interest. I went down to the smoking area while they was playing and I said to Paul Hyperbolic, Look there is not one raver from both families out here, their all upstairs havin it. Out in that area were 6 other ppl smokin and they was all from the party downstairs. I think we got it right.

MC Steely Dan. Well he did the biz. Not over kill on the mic and kept all the wanna be shouters out of your ear holes. Thanks Dan for a Superb job on the night. This guy deserves to go places.

Paul Grant Last set of the night. To be honest that is the best set Ive ever heard him play. He Fukking rocked it. 5am came and everyone wanted more. On a personal note, Id like to thank Paul from the bottom of my heart for giving us The Diehard Family a venue where we can gather together and relive the old times and create New adventures together in Our Raving Lives.

Apologies from DJ Sunny who was struck down with the Christmas Lurgi. He was gutted he was too ill to come and play for you all but he was there in spirit. Also Shaun sends his apologies for not being there, he too was ill with the Crimbo Lurgi

And lastly a BIG THANKYOU to ALL YOU RAVERS that made it to this event. And to all of you stay at home cant be bothered for wat ever excuse I feel sorry for you because YOU MISSED A FUKKING GREAT NIGHT.

And of course it goes without say that Massive Thanks go out to Matty and Pants for the time and effort they have put into the club website

Peace Out

D







U.S.H Review - Diehard 17th-Apr-1998
Once again another top night from Markus and Co. Devotion up first with a set I did not hear So I cant tell you about it! Breeze played part of time Devotion was on, and from what I heard it was wicked.

Downstairs was techno first up and and it was mental as usual dont know who the DJ. Sunny was up next downstairs playing some rolling drum n bass. A wicked set from one of the best hardcore / drum n bass DJ's I have heard.

Sy was on upstairs and he played to his usual standard which got the crowd rocking. After Sy was Dream with a set that was not very good.

Brisk took the controls after Dream and rocked the place with his hard mental style.

Downstairs Stevie K was on the decks bringing it doiwn with happy uplifting trance with a bit of GBT thrown in. This guy rocked in non stop and the crwod was going mental to his sounds.

Smiley was on for the last set of the night upstairs replacing Hixxy who was not able to turn up. Once again Smiley played another wicked ste of hardcore keeping the crowd rocking to the end.

On the mic was Richocett and Whizzkid. Whizzkid rocked with his livley original up for it style. This MC deserves to go far.

Peace

Stuart (DJ_THX)





U.S.H Review - Diehard - Obsession Record Showcase 10th-Apr-1998
Once again Diehard put on a wicked nite!!!

Devotion up first and thats nuff said. Normally set of hardcore.

Next though was Smiley and Sublime, first tune and the dance floor was heaving. A totally wicked set with exellent mixing and straching!

Stompy started his set with Heart Of Gold 98, which was the first and I hope the last time I hear it. So downstairs on a Techno mission I did go.

Unite was playing some nice drum n bass first up then Jay Presscott was up playing stompy hard fast mental tekno.

Back up stairs for the end of Stompys set playing his ususal tunes - Power of Love, I cant stop raving etc. A set which got the crowd up and dancing but original in his choice of tunes as hwe playes the same tunes in the same order all the while.

Vibes up after Stompy playing a good set of his usual style, which rocked the crew as ususal.

A venture downstairs brought me to the sounds of Chris C who is a mental DJ playing some nice tunes to mellow the crwowd and take them on a trip.

Vinylgroover up last playing a not to good set for me, but the crowd seemed to like it especially seeing he gave out free records !!!

MC Ricochet on the mic all night being his usual nutty self. But where was MC Storm????

Also no laser to argue over this week!!!!!

Peace

Stuart (DJ_THX)





U.S.H Review - Diehard 3rd-Apr-1998
Well what to say about it Wicked night! Starting with the happy hardcore upstairs first!

Devotion up first of all playing a nice set of Happy Hardcore nothing special about it but a good DJ neverer the less. Next up a guy by the name of DJ Busby, never heard of him before but he played a wicked set. Some old 95 tunes thrown in made for a different but good set hopefully this guy will go far as he plays for the crowd

DJ Sunny next who played a storming set, IMHO he is a wicked DJ. Sunny played half n hour of drum n bass at the end of his set and did a wicked mix of Heart of Gold (the original) and Bad Ass. HOG sounded brilliantly with a d n b line!!!!!! His scratching was mental and far better then Sy for me. A top DJ who I hope should go far.

The MC's Ricochet and Frost rocked the crowd with the Ricochet being the best MC for me! A nutter if ever I saw one

The turn out for this night was not great which is a shame as these DJ's/MC's are mental and the crowd loved em:) Also the lights and the Laser was mental. Original green laser too! (Markus spent more time looking at that then anything else!)and of course the sexy ladies in the place where fine!!!

By this time I thought it better to check out the Tekno room! I entered this room to the banging sounds of Jay Presscott at the controls fuking the mind of the crowd!!! (Are you on Drugs?) Another good set of the nite down here was Miss Chief playing some stompy trance(core), one of the best sets of the night. By far this was the room to be in.

Upstairs after a back to back set of Sunny and Devotion, Dream stepped up for the final set of the night. I can't really say much about this set as I was kanckered by this time, even though this was a very cheesy set and frankly the hardcore played was a pile of shit. But he got the crowd going for the last couple of hours and the Force n Styles choons went down well.

So get down and support Diehard if you can. If you have not been then try to go at some point as it's a wicked club with an original happy vibe!

Peace

Stuart (DJ THX)





U.S.H Review - Hardcore Heaven @ Diehard 27th-Mar-1998
Wooooo,

What a night likes. Sure was one hell of a party.

I left Edinburgh at 7am after getting out my bed at 6am and arrived in Leicester bout 1pm only to have to wait 20 minutes on DJ Sublime picking me up... he had slept in the lazy bastard.

Went for a pub crawl of leicester (sublime managed to point out all the gay bars - how did he know where they were? But we didn't go in them but I did get the piss taken out of me). Anyway, staggered down to Diehard at about 9:30pm to find a big queue outside which was the first indication it was going to be a great night.

We hopped up to the pub above diehard for a few more pints and a game of pool. We went into Diehard at 10:30pm and the place was rammed allready! We couldn't move at all! Unknown was playing first but I didnt hear much of his set cause I was talking to people.

Vinylgroover was up next and played a great happy set with some harder edge tunes thrown in for good measure. By this time I think the Diehard was full and they had to start turning people away at the door! It was also so hot that they had to open the big fire doors between up stairs and down stairs all night. Steam was allready coming out of upstairs.

It was really difficult to move across the dancefloor, it took about 10 minutes to walk across few metres because the place was so packed. Downstairs it had started to get busy as well and stayed that way for most of the night - but it made the chill outs really hot! The Hixxy man was on next and played an excellent happy set with a few trancy beats.

Well I could go on about how great the restof the night was but it would get a bit long - all that needs to be said is that it was great music, great atmosphere and it was really fucking HOT! Thank god that those doors were opened that made at least one cold place! Nice to meet everyone - Bluey, Loopy, Joe, Rob, etc....

Hixxy played the heart of gold remix and Brisk played his mix of it aswell. I thought they were pretty fucking good. Brisk mix was like really fast and hard.

I was up for 45 hours without any sleep and the weekend cost me a lot of money - but it was well worth it!

I am going back to bed,
- Dave (DJ Cheddar)





U.S.H Review - Diehard 4th-Dec-1998
Many people were very sad at the closure of the legendary Diehard some months ago. It had had a lot of troubles with raids and the courts etc. and the original vibe seemed to have been lost just before it closed.

Well this was either gonna be really good or really dodgy.....

It turned out to be an absolutely wicked night! One of the best I've had there in years (apart from the famous Heidi's birthday party!)

After we arrived at about 11.15 and paying 15 quid on the door (Bah!! didn't see any membership slips anywhere!!) It was apparant that a few tins of paint had been used - a lovely military battleship blue if I'm not mistaken - anyway I'm rambling on!! The bar has moved from the left hand side to the right and made larger. Wandering onto the already full and bouncin' dancefloor I noticed the other major change - the DJ box, made sturdy and moved right, into the corner where the stage used to be. This makes far better use of the space and stops the congestion around the door to downstairs which used to happen, and also makes more space to dance as well. Walking downstairs, they seem to have covered the rickety old metal staircase with wooden stairs - nice but they seem to have done this also to the stone stairs (which where fine as they were!!)

Anyway - onto the music I spent most of my time upstairs in the hardcore room - only venturing downstairs for a chat and chill to some trancecore.

When we got there I think it was Unknown (could be wrong though) who was doing the bizz for the maniacs on the dancefloor!

Breeze, was on at about 12 or 1 and played IMO opinion the most interesting/innovate set of the night. Starting off with epic trancey happy hardcore (the first choon was amazing - Breeze what was it?) and continuing with a set that wasn't full on cheese but was trancy and happy at the same time. Slowly building up to choons such as his one and only Let's Fly.

Stompy was up next and played a pretty good set.

3 o clock and Darren said that SS was up next so I trundled off downstairs - jungle hmmm - I don't think so! But eeek - he was wrong and so I only caught the last half hour of Brisk. Brisks set was well one word really - Brisk! Nuff said - top banging happy stuff!

Sy was his usual good self and to finish the night was had the king of cheeze - Vibes - not my ideal choice to finish but not the worst - even though he is pushing the boundaries of cheeze to it's limits!!

I've said it once and I'll say it again - a fantastic night with lots of old Diehard faces bring back the Diehard vibe. This is where the small venues win over the larger raves im my opinion - you can wander round Diehard and the dancefloor and give a big grin to someone and get a smile back from them - you can do this 5/10/20 times in one night to the same person - whereas in the Sanctuary you could never see the same person twice!

Gimme more! Yum yum!
- Paul / USH / S-Scape





U.S.H Review - Connected @ Diehard 6th-Dec-1997
After a long wait for the PAs to get their sound checks sorted out (mainly due to them not being let into the club early enough) we were finally allowed in. Jockey started his unfortunately short set, mixing well, but he was all too soon kicked off by one of the only female DJs in the scene, Chique. She Played a good set, a little fast for me, but that's the scottish way I spose. During this time I started talking to the one and only Smurf, who is quite blatantly 3 legs short of a chair. Grade A nutter, but what'd you expect from anyone who plays sets like he does.

Moving on I wondered around a bit and missed most of Cheddars set, spent most of my time chatting to people, when at 12 everyone wondered upstairs for what was one of the highlights of the night, SScape's PA.

The dancefloor was as full as I'd seen it all evening and the crowd reaction displayed the quality of the music being played. Using a massive combination of styles, the SScape way is unique, I hope to hear a lot from them in the future.

Following this I lumbered off downstairs to catch Pioneer and MC Enn. What can I say, Nicky is great mixer, and MC Enn started off very well, complementing the music and rhyming for ages, all off the top of his head. However, after a few other MCs had a go he lost his flow and gave up, letting the locals strut their stuff on the mic.

I spent the next few hours dancing everywhere and chatting to people, and I must mention DJ Happy's and Sarky Jim's set, cos they played some wikked Olde Skoole, and their own choons were wikked.

Having been speaking to DJ Renn at various points during the night, he was becoming gradually more and more nervous as his set loomed. He stepped up, cut off Pioneers 'Keep Dancing' before the end and started his thing. With a few slip-ups he did well considering how nervous he was just before hand.

Then came my set. Renn finished with Heart of Gold, and as this was playing Happy set up his computer to play one of my own tracks off CD, but we realised this was jumping due to the bass. In the panic, I qued up my first choon on vinyl, but couldn't get the mixer sorted out and unfortunatly faded out HoG a few times, and let the bass kicks come in over the top. Sorry to all the peeps on the dance floor for all that. Anywho, I never did get the mixer sorted out and ended up playing the whole set without cross fader. D'oh. What more could go wrong? Oh yeah, no one told my MC that the choon on the CD wasn't gonna be played, so when I stopped the set in the middle giving Enn a chance to get a shout for Marcus from the crowd, the result was quite amusing.

Following me, was a good PA from the local SOL lot, and then the final set from Rampant was upon us, who rounded off the evening with a good set, very cheesy, but it was well mixed and although my legs were dead by then, the crowd was well up for it.

All in all, I had a wikked night. I loved meeting all the lot from the list, and loved playing out. It truely was one of the best saturday nights I've had in ages.

Big up Marcus is all I can say!
- Stomski





U.S.H Review - Diehard @ The Sanctuary 27th-Apr-1996
We got there slightly later than we hoped (9.30) due to rushing around trying to sort stuff and get people together in the right cars at the right time etc. We anticipated the normally HUGE queues that you find at the Santuary but were pleasantly surprised at the size of it. We were in the club after about 25 mins.

We were apprehensive about Diehard moving from a 350 capacity club to a 3500 capacity and being able to handle the sounds and lighting. We had no need to worry as the sound system was excellent (I might even say better then Helter Skelter) The lasers and light were excellent too.

The event wasn't totally rammed. IMO it's better to not be filled to capacity. There was enough people to give a really good atmosphere but enough space to move and dance.

The Dj's all played excellent sets and we were shocked to hear Dougal doing some wicked scratchin'. But we realised what was happening when we found out that Dougal and Sy were playing back to back.

When we first got there they were playing some excellent happy hardcore/ bouncy techno upstairs which later turned into some really tuff gabba. I'm not a gabba head myself (I think I only managed half an hour dancing to Jay Prescott) But the Coventry Gabba Jabbas all had a top night!

Seduction in the main arean finished off the night with a fantastic set which was only spoilt by the response the crowd received screaming for one more. The horns, whistles and cheers must have gone on for a good 5 minutes. At which they gave us 5 seconds (I kid you not!!) of another record. They could have given us 2 more if they'd not left us cheering for so long!

The bottles of water could have had screw tops on as I've got badly chapped thighs due to a whole bottle of water down the back of my jeans due to jumping around with a topless bottle of water in my back pocket!!! At first I though it was someone with a huge water pistol. It happened 3 times before I realised what it was!

A fantastic night with the Diehard vibe - only spoilt by (if anyone knows the Santuary -you'll know what's coming).....the Security!!!!

On entering the event the took my pocket laser off me and said I could either take it back to our car or leave it with security and pick it up after the event. They gave the reason as health and safety.

1. I've taken my laser into The Santuary before and 2. I saw 2 people in there that night with lasers!!!

After the event I went to try and get my laser back and was passed between the security guards each one telling me to go to someone else. I finally got to one who said very curtly. 'Out - leave the building' 'But...' I replied. He said 'Get out now!' and as I didn't want any trouble from those kind of thugs I left.

It was obvious, afterwards, that the security guard took a fancy to my laser and stole it.

Letters of complaint will be going to the Santuary and to Diehard (although I realise that Diehard have nothing to do with the security at the Sanctuary - I think they must be informed of their behaviour. Diehard security on the other hand are excellent). I hear that Eternity are compiling a dossier on the Santuary security [See Eternity issue 2 volume 2 for the Sanctuary's response to this - Ed] - so they also will be getting a letter from me also.

The Santuary is an excellent venue only spoilt by the cattle herding thugs that they call security.

If anyone else has any complaints about the Sanctuary security you can mail them to me and I'll print them and send them with my letter! [lawton@kid01pml.icl.co.uk - Ed]
- Paul Lawton





U.S.H Review - Diehard @ The Sanctuary 27th-Apr-1996
Now, quite simply, this was the best rave I have ever been to in my life. And I don't beleive it was solely down to the DJ's either. I met people there that I hadn't seen in YEARS, And some of my closest friends were there. The whole place was full of people cuddling and kissing..it was fantastic. Up points:

Amazing music, really friendly people, cool venue, cold water on tap, fucking amazing VR simulater outside (Which I must point out that I would not have enjoyed had it not have been for Paul paying for me and luvly little "Bubble of energy" Emma). The chill out area was outside (the best place to have a chill out place in my opinion).

Downside :

Yeah, you guessed it, Security...although I have to admit, I wasn't bothered by them too much. I personnally think that EVERY club needs security, but I don't agree with the way they deal with things. For example, the lad toilets would be swarmed by security looking over the top of the cubicals!!! Is this legal?? Also, I thought that the sound system could do with being just a tadge louder, although it was nice to actually hear people speaking to you without having to repeat it more than three times And last but not least...Where the hell was Hixxy???? Had I dropped into a coma while he was on?

Oh who cares, I had the best weekend of my life by far, I just can't wait until Hardcore Heaven in a couple of weeks!
- Alex Storey





Eternity Review - Issue 22
The dielectric club in Leicester is rapidly becoming known as the happy vibe club of the UK. The club was officially opened last September by a true raver who started the club for like minded people, ravers that wanted to go to a club with a happy vibe, no attitude, just plenty of smiling faces.

The owners have been raving since 1991 and as ravers felt that they knew what ravers would want. Somewhere you could get a good vibe, not with soft seats and people drinking booze, but a club purpose built the way they would want the club to be. It took 18 months of hard work; the building was a disused college that had once been occupied by students.

Situated in Leicester with 2 floors, they knew that this could be transformed into the perfect rave venue. The cellars were cleared by wheel barrows, tons of rubbish and rubble were wheeled up 4 flights of stairs to a lorry. The walls were painted black with plenty of yellow smiley faces, added with statements of meaning all reflecting a happy vibe and giving the club a special underground feel.

When the club began, the owners would ask the DJ's to play Happy Hardcore, they would play Jungle, and they just didn't seem to know what actually people wanted.

"Rave music is happy music, piano and vocals, uplifting music, we wanted a club where DJs would play how we saw the music, and how we felt the music should be played. The bass became dark and moody which would over power the mids and tops. We had to tell the DJs to play piano & vocals, like Old Skool, otherwise they would play jungle."

The owners think that a lot of DJs play for themselves rather than for the crowd, they were getting some excellent tapes sent in that were there interpretation of Happy Hardcore and when they met the people who had sent the tapes, they would be ravers.

Soon the happy vibe caught on at the club and the DJs that play there now know exactly what the club goers want. The ground floor is a warehouse type room which plays Diehard Happy Hardcore. The basement is more of a Victorian room with archways where the DJs can play happy Techno.

The owners tell us that the DJs in the basement sometimes get out of control but it's what the crowd want so that's all that matters. The DJs know that the Diehard crowd like it bouncy, so the music is now getting just as everyone wants it. The corridor between the two rooms is known as happy valley, people meeting, chatting, hugging and shaking hands as they pass each other. The happy atmosphere vibrates throughout the whole club all night.

The door policy is very strict. This is a raver only club. The security are ravers themselves so they know exactly what to look out for. If you've been drinking or got an attitude, you've got no chance.

One night over 80 people were turned away, it's not about money it's about everyone leaving after a happy night out with a vibe you find hard to beat anywhere else. The sound system is purpose built because the owners know that it is important for clear, crisp sound, especially with the type of music it pumps out; Happy Bouncy Hardcore, and loads of it.

The people who run the club do not wish to be known as promoters. They are true ravers and friends who enjoy the music and want to help the scene along.

"We love it, everyone is treated with respect and they can come here and forget their troubles and lift the gloom of everyday life. Peace, Love and Unity."

The whole club has built up a kind of family atmosphere, people return week after week and some travel from afar - Wales, Manchester, Liverpool - the distance doesn't matter, they are addicted to the happy vibe that you'll find at the Dielectric.

The whole thing is growing from strength to strength, they have left behind the people who jumped on the rave scene and commercialised it to benefit their pockets. Diehard has a happy vibe and that's all that's important to them and the family. The club is open each and every Friday and is licensed from 8pm 'til 8am, although the flyer states 6 o'clock finish, if the crowd want more, the part continues entail 8am, and guess what… the crowd want more and are guaranteed not to want to leave, every week! Price £10 members or £12 non-members, but don't forget if you're going along, bring a smile with you else you won't get in.

Our full admiration and respect goes to the owners and everyone who has built up the Dielectric Club from nothing, true ravers at heart with the interest of fellow ravers as the most important thing on the line up. We wish them every success for the future & are looking forward to our next visit to the club with a happy attitude & vibe.

"Full respect to everybody involved with the Diehard vibe and to all those who are helping, and those who help in the future."





Eternity Review - Issue 20
Wow!! What a night! On Friday the 1st July I had the best night of my life. Anyone who has already been to the club already knows exactly where I'm talking about; Diehard at the Dielectric Club.

The place rocked non-stop from the moment I arrived until the last tune played. I have never seen so many happy smiling people, having a good time, in one place before. Happy Hardcore was playing upstairs and Techno downstairs. The music was so good in each room that I didn't know which to dance in!!



I often run around in fancy dress costume in venues to add that happy vibe. Some clubs it goes down well, in others not so well. Friday night everyone loved it. I had people of all ages and race coming over to me and giving me respect. What a buzz!!! To all the people in certain other clubs who laugh and take the piss, WAKE UP!! I thought that you went out to a club/party to let your hair down, dance and help everyone around you laugh and enjoy themselves.

Face it, if you see someone in a funny costume you have to laugh, so join in and stop being so moody, or stay away.

Back to Friday; Anyone who hasn't been to Diehard, get your butts up there. I can't recommend a better club for the true party vibe, excellent music and happy friendly people.

Big respect to the music maker who played an excellent set in the Techno room that had everybody in the place dancing, and Shaun for the best club around.





Fantazia Write-up
Click for Fantazia article