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We catch up with the Toolroom Knights (Mark Knight, Dave Spoon, D.Ramirez, Dirty Vegas, Funkagenda & Martijn Ten Velden) ahead of the big birthday celebrations this Saturday at Ministry of Sound, and find out more about their year to date, what they've got planned for the party and find out how bad they are at telling jokes.

How has 2009 been for you? Tell us your highlights

Mark Knight: It’s been a great year, both in the studio and with my DJ shows. Working with Faithless on Toolroom’s 100th release and  the  release of ‘Downpipe’ with D Ramirez and Underworld  have both been pretty big. Underworld had never worked with anyone before on a dance co-production so to pull that off was really cool. And the best gigs – there’s been quite a few this year; my birthday at Pacha NYC was pretty big. Space Miami, Creamfields, Toolroom Knights arena at Global Gathering, Sunny Beach in Bulgaria, Toolroom Knights Takeover at Space Ibiza was great. I could keep going…
Dave Spoon: 2009 was great, had fun again in Ibiza with Cream but the highlight there was the Toolroom party at Space with Carl Cox. I also moved my studio and have it setup in a new location now. It's a purpose built space and has luckily taken no time to adjust to, some great stuff already on the go so watch this space!
D.Ramirez: 2009 has been pretty damn good so far - the highlights were staying in LA for a month while touring America, getting to work with Underworld on the single 'Downpipe' and asking my girlfriend to marry me!
Dirty Vegas: 2009 has been a busy but great year for us so far. We have spent the year recording our new album in between DJ and live gigs. We kicked the year off playing at an inauguration party for Obama and then onto the Sundance Film Festival. DJing at Space in Miami for Toolroom was fantastic and playing live at Glastonbury for the first time was a big moment also!
Funkagenda: 2009 has been just awesome. I have really thrown myself into my gigs and have enjoyed every minute of it. I think maybe the highlights have been: My debut gig at We Love @ Space - I closed the terrace and it was absolutely amazing! Hoping I will be back there next year! Creamfields with the Swedish House Mafia - I have NEVER seen an arena going off like that so early on in the day! My last US tour... Some of the gigs were just amazing!
Martijn Ten Velden: It's been a great year so far. My highlight was playing for about 60.000 people at the Belgrade Beer Festival

For those who don’t know, how did you first get involved with Toolroom?

Mark Knight: I set up Toolroom Records with my brother back in 2004 - I often have to pinch myself when I think how it's grown from a toolshed outside my parent's house (hence Toolroom Records) to where we are now as a business, with the caliber of artists we have signed to the label and the amount of people involved with Toolroom Knights.
Dave Spoon: I actually emailed Owen Ingram about a record collection he was selling via a web form, and he replied from his Toolroom email address so we had a chat and I said I'd send him what turned out to be 21st Century. Mark Knight called the next day and the rest as they say is history. I never bought the collection from Owen tho!
D.Ramirez: Owen from Toolroom was gracious enough to send me the first ever Toolroom release The Mark Knight e.p and i was blown away. It was at that point that me and Mark started to work together, albeit on a far different project back then. I knew Toolroom were setting themselves up to be something special so it became imperative for me to get a release out with them. The first thing to get released from me on Toolroom was my collaboration with Mark Knight - 'The Colombian Soul E.P' which did amazingly well - I’m proud to be a part of the Toolroom family!
Dirty Vegas: Paul from the band is an old friend of Mark Knight's and when we reformed last year, Paul played Mark some of the new music and he wanted to work with us. Simple as that really!!
Funkagenda: When I was engineering tracks for people, I did a few with James Algate (under his Punkrok moniker) that were signed to Toolroom. At the same time Mark was looking for somebody to help him on some solo material that needed to be done pretty quickly and he liked the sound James was getting on his tracks so he called me! I must admit, at the time it wasn't long after Mark had done 'Strings Of Life' with Martijn and I was a little star struck when he called! But that was really the start of it all... Since then we have forged a great working relationship. Its tough sometimes because we both have quite big musical visions and they don't always match up, but when we do get there it always works well!
Martijn Ten Velden: I actually produced the first ever Toolroom release together with David James. Toolroom 001: Audio Drive 'I Feel Good'

Tell us your most memorable Toolroom Knights party to-date?

Mark Knight: I would have to say Toolroom Knights at the Miami WMC in 2008 was pretty special. Everyone from the industry was there, Sound system was amazing, crowd really up for it. It was just one of those nights when everything comes together, with the highlight seeing Harvey from 360 having a gallon of 'sex on the beach' poured over him courtesy of Phillip Sales & Dean Wilson.
Dave Spoon: There’s been a couple actually.. we did a huge indoor festival in Holland with an immense amount of people. The Audio Bullys showed up in our arena and Si jumped on the mic too actually. The real highlight was the last one I personally did which was at Space in Ibiza this year, massive energy in there it was great.
D.Ramirez: My favorite party was a recent one in Tokyo at a club called The Warehouse. It was just one of those nights that turned out to be really special - the crowd were amazing, the promoters were super sweet, the club was very cool and Tokyo is just one of the most enchanting cities in the world!
Dirty Vegas: It has to be Space in Miami '09. Such a good night and such a great crowd! Seeing clips of it on Youtube brings it all back.
Funkagenda: I honestly couldn't say. There have been so many. Any of the Irish ones we have done have been amazing, and our debut at Arma in Moscow was superb too... I think we all love Ministry though most of all. Its kinda like Toolroom Knights' spiritual home.
Martijn Ten Velden: That was definitely myself and Mark Knight going back to back for 7 hours this summer at the closing party of Sunny Beach on the Black Sea Coast in Bulgaria. It was insaaane!!

Biggest dance track of 2009?

Mark Knight: Would have to say Yin by Wolfgang Gartner + Francis Preve "Yin" easily the best tech house record of the year by a mile. Still playing the record now in various forms and edits. An out & out Toolroom classic.
Dave Spoon: I'm gonna have to self indulge very slightly, as the biggest record I've been playing this year has been my edit of La Roux & Gartner/Preve 'Yin For The Kill', I made it as there wasn't really a strong enough mix of La Roux for me to play. The Skream mix is so good but it's impossible to play to my crowds unfortunately. Other big tunes were DLG's mix of 'Lifting me High' from Harry Choo Choo.. and Afrojack 'Comeback' - Huge!
D.Ramirez: Obviously it has to be Mark Knight and D.Ramirez vs. Underworld 'Downpipe' -)
Dirty Vegas: Michel Cleis - La Mezcla. Amazing record that had Dj's from all different camps playing it and it always goes off!
Funkagenda: Again I have had loads of great music this year so its so difficult to say... I really like Mark + Dean's "Downpipe" and Dean's "Satur-8" but I think for me it would be Dave Spoons bootleg of La Roux + Wolfgang Gartner + Francis Preve "Yin For The Kill" or Cirez D "On/Off" - Both Stunners!
Martijn Ten Velden: Block Prty – Bloc Party - D Nox Mix

What’s keeping you busy at the mo?

Mark Knight: Loads of projects on the go at the mo... Currently producing, with Dean,  tracks from Underworlds new album,  I'm producing the new Faithless record, remixing the brand new single from Timberland & Missy Elliot, forth coming on Toolroom as well as a fresh new Mark Knight EP early part of next year.
Dave Spoon: I'm taking a fresh look at my shelved album again, I had some great bits on the go actually and the new studio has revived that for me so lookout! Other original stuff is on the go, a new EP for my label Televizion 'The Key/The Secret' is due out and also a few collabs, with Hatiras, James Talk & also Funkagenda. Another with Mark Knight is nearly finished, totally buzzing off that one actually. There’s a new alias away from House music, which will remain a secret for as long as I can. Loving all the alternative Dance music at the moment, all very fresh.
D.Ramirez: Myself and Mark Knight are working on a secret project (all will be revealed shortly) - I’m working on a remix for Way Out West and I’m also working on a remix of an old Dave Seaman track called 'the Might Ming' which is a classic from 1992.
Dirty Vegas: The new album and gigs. We're in the studio all week and then off somewhere at the weekend playing records or guitars, whoever will have us. :-)
Funkagenda: Twitter! Its so great to be able to interact with friends + fans in one place. I get a real kick from just having somewhere to post all the stuff that I see or come up with around the world... It amuses me!
Martijn Ten Veden: I'm back in the studio a lot more these days so watch out for me in 2010!!

2010 – what’s on your agenda?

Mark Knight: It'll be will be heads down to finish my first artist album. This is what I'm most excited about as it'll be a chance to really express myself musically. Also, really  looking forward to getting stuck into my new residency at Space Miami – gonna be doing a total of 5 parties throughout 2010 with marathon 10hr sets on the Terrace. Cant wait! Kicks off in Feb.
Dave Spoon: Focus is on my Album, my label Televizion & getting to a few new countries to DJ in. It'd be good seeing Portsmouth survive in the Premiership too!
D.Ramirez: So many things - I'll be stepping up the output on my own label Slave with some special collaborative projects – I’m working with Mark Knight on our secret project as well as on our own material for Toolroom – I’ll be continuing my DJ touring, hopefully starting a live thingy and I’m working on a sample CD ready for early 2010- phew!
Dirty Vegas: Getting the album out and then touring.
Funkagenda: Well I after WMC I am going to really knuckle down to do my artist album. And obviously Mark + I will be working on a big summer record again... But that is hush hush for now ;-)
Martijn Ten Velden: A lot of exciting new releases and collaborations are coming up and I’m gonna take it to the next level! Bring on 2010!

One to watch for 2010  - which DJ or producer are you tipping for big things next year?

Mark Knight: Look-out for a phenomenal album from Tom Neville and Christian Lindberg.
Dave Spoon: Afrojack, bigtime... I don't play absolutely everything he does, but it's all such solid production, and his ideas are great. Good luck to him in 2010.
D.Ramirez: I see good things for Funkagenda next year - I see his popularity increasing by his Twittering alone!
Dirty Vegas: There's so many good new talents around, but Maher Daniel is someone to watch. He's already had releases out on Rekids, Get Physical and Bedrock and I think he's going to have a great 2010!
Funkagenda: Adam Shaw or ThreeSixty... Both permanent fixtures in my record bad at the mo. Top notch producers and its only a matter of time before they break through!
Martijn Ten Velden: Strict Border and my man Cozzy D

Can you tell us something interesting or ridiculous about each of your fellow Toolroom Knights?

Mark Knight on...
Martijn Ten Velden ...constantly on Dutch time, and is the only man who can turn up to a studio session over a day and a half late.
Funkagenda ...has THE biggest collection of porn this side of Amsterdam.
Dave Spoon ...  has is own signature handclap as demonstrated peak moment at any one of his gigs.
D.Ramirez ... aka the Rotherham Crimper and THE originator of the house vest will be offering free cut and sets as part of his new live show in 2010
Dirty Vegas ... have an album forth coming (allegedly) and one of the band members doesn't drink…small clue it’s not Bomber!
Dave Spoon on...
Mark Knight ... Love's to lose his wallet, keys & phone anywhere he can.
Martijn Ten Velden ... you need to ask Mark!
Funkagenda ... How long you got? I witnessed him enjoying a Where’s Wally Style book once on a plane.. I think you had to find Osama Bin Laden.
Dave Spoon ... no comment!
D Ramirez ... When I first met him we both coincidentally owned suped-up Golf TDI's, wide-boy alloys the lot. Nice.
Dirty Vegas ... Paul Harris can compete against anyone for drinking most things, but tea is on top. In the studio he says 'put the kettle on' more times than Mark loses phones in a year.
D.Ramirez on...
Mark Knight ... He's really a machine who doesn't sleep
Martijn Ten Velden ... He's Dutch
Funkagenda ... He's the Twitter king!
Dave Spoon ... He's a Spoon named Dave who looks just like that guy of the telly - you know who i mean.
DRamirez ... He's hot!
Dirty Vegas ... My girlfriend once put an ice cube down Paulo Harris's back in Miami - he hates her!
Dirty Vegas on...
Mark Knight ... Chief wife beater wearer..
Martijn Ten Velden ... Lives in Dubai , should have better tan !
Funkagenda ... Been groomed by mark.. (Shouldn't wear wife beaters)
Dave Spoon ... Support's Popmey , and now crouch has gone !!
DRamirez ...Also wears wife beaters (see above !)
Dirty Vegas ... DO NOT wear wife beater

Funkagenda on...
Mark Knight...  Before Mark was a DJ/Producer he was actually the principle of the largest clown college in Kent...
Martijn Ten Velden ... Martjin is made of over 60% asparagus tips and 5% iron filings... his other elements are too small to quantify...
Dave Spoon ... Dave is the illegitimate love child of Terry Wogan and the Sandra Stevens from "Brotherhood Of Man".
D.Ramirez ...During Dean's formative years as a hair stylist he broke the Yorkshire record for "Most Blue Rinses" per head of population in Sheffield... A staggering 1529 came from his fair hands!
Dirty Vegas ...The band got their name from a promotional stunt they pulled in Vegas when Paul Harris crashed an ENORMOUS blimp full of methane into Ceasars Palace, bursting the tank and turning Nevada into one large fart...
Martijn Ten Velden on...
Mark Knight ... Has a problem with his left knee.
Funkagenda ... Needs counseling for his Twitter addiction.
Dave Spoon ... Is that his real name?
DRamirez ... Was not born in Honduras.
Dirty Vegas ... They do actually wash on a regular basis!!

What are you most looking forward to on the night of 21st Nov when you play Toolroom Knights’ 3rd Birthday at Ministry of Sound?

Mark Knight: Toolroom Knights @ Ministry is always one of the highlight gigs in my diary and with this being the birthday it’s gonna be great fun with all the guys playing together, a great birthday vibe. 
Dave Spoon: Playing the Box is always immense but this is also my first time DJing back to back with someone, as Dave Spoon. Really looking forward to it!
D.Ramirez: I'm really looking forward to playing back to back with Dave Spoon and having a rave off! Bring it on Spoony i'm ready baby!
Dirty Vegas: Getting back in front of that great crowd. We had such a good night at last year's Toolroom Party, can't wait to do it all again.
Funkagenda: I am bringing all my friends from my home town down to see me and launch my album in style!
Martijn Ten Velden: I'm looking forward to getting on the decks with Mark Knight and smashing it up like we always do:-)

And finally… a joke pls to make us laugh?

Mark Knight: A sandwich walks into a bar. The barman says: "Sorry, we don't serve food in here."
Dave Spoon: Clean? erm... another time.
D.Ramirez: What do you call an Ibizan terrorist?  Allsummer  Beenlarginit -)
Dirty Vegas: Dont wear wife beaters...
Funkagenda: Elton John's middle name is "Hercules"... That’s not even a joke. That’s a full on fact...
Martijn Ten Velden: Gordon Brown is a great and honest guy and he knows best for all of us.