Long before drum ’n’ bass remixes became fashionable, Tom Withers was producing quality tracks under his London-based record label Commercial Suicide. One decade and 50-odd releases later, Withers, better known under the alias of DJ Klute, is marking the milestone with celebratory gigs across the globe, including in our very own Hong Kong.

Before Withers hit the decks, he gained notoriety in the punk scene at the ripe young age of 15 with his skate-thrash band The Stupids. Shortly after, he discovered house and techno music and the turntables beckoned. DJ Klute founded Commercial Suicide in 2001 and has been releasing a unique brand of techno-laced drum ‘n’ bass since then, with more vocals than you’d expect from the genre.

Now, DJ Klute produces and releases tracks under the Commercial Suicide label for artists like Mindscape and SKC, and collaborates with other prestigious labels like Metalheadz and Certificate 18. Throughout Suicide’s ten years in the biz, Klute has stuck to his guns, consistently releasing tracks he feels proud of, as opposed to what he thinks will sell big.

Magnetic Soul, the Hong Kong-based drum ‘n’ bass and house music event promoters, are back from a hiatus and are also celebrating their sixth anniversary this evening, which is all the more reason to get out and support our local underground crews.

On a quirkier note, following in the footsteps of Jennifer Lopez and Britney Spears, Commercial Suicide became the first drum ‘n’ bass label to release their own fragrance for men last summer. Although we haven’t had a whiff of it yet, we hope it’ll counteract the BO build-up you’ll accumulate from attending this satisfyingly sweaty gig.

Andrea Yu

Backstage Live Sat Aug 20 10.30pm