DJ Sharkey

DJ Sharkey (born Jonathan Kneath[2] on 25 July 1974) is a British record producer, disc jockey and rapper. As of September 2011 he is semi-retired from music production and performance. Sharkey has performed in the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, Canada,[4] and Japan.

For other people named Sharkey, see Sharkey (disambiguation).
DJ Sharkey
DJ Sharkey in 2002
DJ Sharkey in 2002
Background information
Birth nameJonathan Kneath[1]
Born (1974-07-25) 25 July 1974[2]
OriginPlymouth, England[3]
GenresUK hard house, hardcore techno, gabber
Instrument(s)Turntables
Years active1992–2011

Career

Sharkey initially became known as an MC at "hardcore rave" events in Britain in 1993. In 1995, he moved into music production, teaming up with DJ Hixxy to release the track "Toytown", which proved one of the most significant signature tunes of the UK's happy hardcore style in the 1990s.[3][5] This led both Sharkey and Hixxy to being signed by the UK-based dance music label React Music, and the pair released Bonkers, the first in a series of albums which has become the best-selling hardcore compilation series of all time.[6] "Revolutions", a release on React, reached 53 in the UK charts, and Sharkey consequently released the album Hard Life in 1998.[7][8]

Sharkey also produced mixes for Bonkers 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17. Volumes 4 and 5 achieved silver sales status in the UK with Bonkers 3 reaching gold status.[9][10] In 2001, Sharkey made his first appearance on the Eurodance compilation Dancemania series, at Speed 6, along with Hixxy.[2] He was also invited to mix on BBC Radio 1 in 2003, performing John Peel's show.[11]

Retirement

In January 2011, Sharkey announced his retirement from Hardcore and Freeform. He completed a final tour, playing in various countries around the world,[4] and then reportedly retired in September 2011.[3] In 2021 Sharkey started his own show, Bonkers Beat, on the online radio station Beat 106 Scotland on Friday nights.[12]

References
  1. "Sharkey". Resident Advisor. Archived from the original on 15 February 2023. Retrieved 15 February 2023.
  2. "Sharkey". Discogs. Discogs. Archived from the original on 24 March 2012. Retrieved 10 June 2012.
  3. Roberts, Joe (10 March 2019). "Happy hardcore will never die: An ode to the Bonkers series". DJ Mag. Archived from the original on 1 February 2023. Retrieved 1 February 2023.
  4. amwise (28 March 2011). "Dj Sharkey (uk) & Lenny Dee (usa) @ Heroes Vs. Villains !! - July 22nd" (Forum thread). Ravesound. Rave.ca. Archived from the original on 18 August 2011. Retrieved 10 June 2012.
  5. Kutski (27 May 2011). "Snap, Crackle....Drop! #5". BBC. Archived from the original on 16 February 2023. Retrieved 16 February 2023.
  6. Ravens, Chai (11 March 2020). "Happy hardcore will never die: the life of rave's most juvenile subculture". Dazed and Confused. Archived from the original on 1 February 2023. Retrieved 1 February 2023.
  7. "SHARKEY". Official Charts. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
  8. Bush, John. "Sharkey Biography by John Bush". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 17 February 2023. Retrieved 17 February 2023.
  9. "Resist Various Artists Bonkers 3". BPI. Archived from the original on 5 March 2023. Retrieved 5 March 2023.
  10. Staff (1999–2012). "Bonkers 3 goes gold (100,000 copies)". HappyHardcore.com. HappyHardcore.com. Archived from the original on 6 February 2012. Retrieved 10 June 2012.
  11. John Peel, DJ Sharkey. "John Peel's Sharkey - Bonkers Mix". Archived from the original on 30 March 2023. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
  12. MC Direct (17 June 2021). "JUST IN: JOEY RIOT AND MARC SMITH NAMED AS NEW BONKERS BEATS RESIDENTS". MyHardcore.Life. Archived from the original on 15 February 2023. Retrieved 15 February 2023.
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