Before the duo first got together, when people said “Zeds Dead,” they were probably talking about a scene in Quentin Tarantino’s classic film Pulp Fiction. Now, the name Zeds Dead refers to our Canadian talents heading to Ultimate Music Experience this year – coincidentally, it is also a monogram for the members’ names Zack Rapp-Rovan, artist name Hooks, and Dylan Mamid, artist name DC.
The two first paired together in 2004 when they formed their original group, Mass Productions. Hooks says, “We’ve known each other for a long time but started hanging out and making music together about ten years ago. Led Zeppelin made me want to learn guitar which was my first stepping stone to making music and, as cliché as it is, I really wanted to learn ‘Stairway to Heaven.'” Being heavily influenced by hip-hop samples, the first and only release Mass Productions has to date, is their 2007 album Fresh Beetz. Though, after they released the album, the boys had a change of heart, “I don’t remember how exactly I got introduced to dubstep,” Hooks says, “but there was something in the air back then. It had such a great groove, with elements of hip-hop and dnb in it and felt really cool to go to these underground parties and hear that type of music.
The boys made their first outing as Zeds Dead in the summer of 2009 back in their home of Toronto, Ontario. Having been developing their electronic beats, DC and Hooks showcased their tracks at the venue The Social in 2009. After about a year later, Zeds Dead was booked as a weekly for a gig in Toronto, called “Bassmentality.” As a tribute to the friends and fans who were there from the beginning, the two went on to release a track by the same name in 2011.
DC and Hooks gained international recognition long before their first official release by offering free downloads of their productions. Their first self-released freebie was “Journey of a Lifetime” in June 2009. The following year, the two released “Rumble in the Jungle” on Mad Decent. The track went on to reach #1 on Beatport’s breakbeat chart and cemented their position among the bass music’s elite.
Still hot on the heels of their “Altered States” tour, we are glad to have them join our 2014 lineup for the Ultimate Music Experience. Grab your tickets today to be a part of the best Spring Break event for every dance music lover.
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