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NuBreed
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NuBreed is a trio of Australian record producers Jason Catherine, Michael Walburgh, and Danny Bonnici (vocalist). They have performed several remixes for artists such as The Crystal Method, Luke Chable, and Way Out West. They have also recorded several DJ mixes including Electric_02 for EQ Recordings and an entry in Distinct'ive Breaks Records' Y4k series. Their singles are most often released on Zero Tolerance Recordings and Mob Records.
Discography
[edit]Studio albums
[edit]| Title | Album details |
|---|---|
| The Original |
|
Awards
[edit]ARIA Music Awards
[edit]The ARIA Music Awards is an annual awards ceremony that recognises excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres of Australian music. They commenced in 1987. NuBreed were nominated for one award.[1]
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | The Original | Best Dance Release | Nominated |
References
[edit]- ^ ARIA Award previous winners. "Winners By Award - 27th ARIA Awards 2013". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Retrieved 1 March 2014.
External links
[edit]- NuBreed discography at Discogs
- "NUBREED". Thedjlist.com. Retrieved 21 March 2019.
- "RA: Nubreed". Resident Advisor. Retrieved 21 March 2019.
- "Interview: A new NuBreed". Resident Advisor. Retrieved 21 March 2019.
- "Review: King Unique + Nubreed - Electric 02". Resident Advisor. Retrieved 21 March 2019.
- "Nubreed Y4K.as - Music Reviews". Progressive-sounds.com. Retrieved 21 March 2019.
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NuBreed
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Formation and background
Origins
NuBreed originated in Melbourne, Australia, where founding members Jason Catherine (Jase), Michael Walburgh (Mykel), and Danny Bonnici (DB) first connected through shared cultural and musical interests in the mid-1990s. Catherine and Walburgh met in 1994 at the age of 14 via Walburgh's sister, quickly bonding over their mutual enthusiasm for hip-hop, funk, R&B, soul, and rock music, which laid the groundwork for their collaborative endeavors.[10] Bonnici joined the group shortly thereafter, introduced by Walburgh when Bonnici's band sought an MC, expanding their creative circle within Melbourne's vibrant youth scene.[10] Initially operating as a casual collective, the trio experimented with beat-making, DJing, and informal music projects, drawing from the broader hip-hop culture that included elements like graffiti and b-boying prevalent in Melbourne's underground communities during the era. Their early activities were rooted in the local hip-hop and street culture movements that flourished in Australia from the late 1980s onward, providing a foundation for their artistic expression before they pivoted toward electronic production.[11] By the late 1990s, as Australia's electronic music underground began to emerge—fueled by influences from global rave and club scenes—the group formalized as NuBreed around 2000, channeling their diverse experiences into structured music creation.[11] During this formative period, NuBreed engaged in early performances at key local events, including the 2000 Technics World DJ Championship Australian Finals, Welcome 2001, and the Big Day Out festival in Melbourne, immersing themselves in the burgeoning electronic scene. These outings marked their transition from casual experimentation to active participants in Australia's developing club circuit, where they honed their skills amid a growing network of DJs and producers.[11]Members
NuBreed is a trio consisting of Jason Catherine (known as Jase), Michael Walburgh (Mykel), and Danny Bonnici (DB).[11] Jason Catherine, performing as Jase, brought a strong foundation in graffiti art and hip-hop production to the group. His early involvement in Melbourne's street culture influenced his primary role in beat-making and audio engineering within NuBreed, where he handled much of the foundational production elements. Following the group's activities, Catherine pursued solo production work, rediscovering his hip-hop roots by producing Australian MCs for his solo album The Jase Connection.[11][7] Michael Walburgh, stage name Mykel, was a dedicated b-boy and hip-hop enthusiast whose background in breakdancing and the broader hip-hop scene shaped his contributions to the trio. He focused on mixing and arrangement, ensuring the seamless integration of rhythmic and textural elements in their tracks. Walburgh has limited solo credits, primarily under the OOZZ Arts imprint, reflecting a more behind-the-scenes presence post-NuBreed.[11][12] Danny Bonnici served as the group's vocalist and occasional DJ, drawing from his hip-hop roots to provide lyrical and performative elements. His role extended to live performances, adding a dynamic vocal layer to their electronic soundscapes. Bonnici's work with NuBreed and in his solo career from 2000 to 2014 earned ARIA nominations for the group and acclaim from prominent DJs including Sasha and John Digweed.[11][13] The members' diverse skills—stemming from graffiti, b-boying, and hip-hop culture—blended effectively to pioneer a fusion of street influences with electronic production, particularly in the breaks genre, creating a distinctive Australian sound. As of 2025, the members continue to influence Australian electronic music, with NuBreed recognized in Rolling Stone Australia's list of the 50 Greatest Australian Electronic Acts of All Time.[11][8]Career
Early career and remixes
NuBreed's early career emerged in the late 1990s within Melbourne's underground electronic scene, where founding members Jason Catherine (Jase), Michael Walburgh (Mykel), and Danny Bonnici drew from their shared backgrounds in hip-hop production, graffiti, and b-boy culture to pivot toward breaks and progressive house. Having met in the early 1990s and begun collaborative songwriting around 1994–1995 under imprints like Nuffsaid for hip-hop projects, the trio formalized as NuBreed by the end of the decade, leveraging hardware like AKAI MPC samplers to craft tracks that bridged street influences with dancefloor energy.[14] Their initial foray into professional releases occurred in 2000 with the single "Welcome" on the Melbourne-based Zero Tolerance Recordings, a radio-friendly breaks track featuring a distinctive guitar riff and vocal hooks that earned airplay on Australian stations and marked their entry into the national dance circuit.[6][15] This was followed in 2001 by "Food For Thought," another Zero Tolerance outing that highlighted their evolving production style, bolstered by a seminal remix from Phil K and Ivan Gough (as Dark Alley), which infused techy percussion and deeper grooves to resonate in club environments.[16][17] By 2002, NuBreed expanded to Mob Records with singles like "Ionosphere / Beats N Rhymes" and "Xenomorph / Satellites," the latter blending futuristic synths and rhythmic breaks to appeal to international selectors amid the growing nu-skool breaks movement.[18][19] These vinyl-only efforts exemplified the era's distribution hurdles, as physical pressings limited reach beyond specialist shops and import networks, yet they cultivated a grassroots following through relentless DJ sets at venues like Melbourne's Revolver and Sydney's clubs.[14] Remix work became a cornerstone of their rising profile, starting with the Original Nu Breed Mix of Sphere's "Barrier" in 2001, a tech-infused reinterpretation that emphasized delayed congas and atmospheric builds, later featured on the inaugural Nubreed Global Underground compilation curated by Anthony Pappa.[20] In 2002, they delivered the Nubreed Mix for Way Out West's "Stealth" (featuring Kirsty Hawkshaw) on Distinctive Records, transforming the progressive trance original into a punchy breaks rendition with layered percussion and vocal emphasis, gaining traction in UK and European sets.[21] These contributions, alongside spots on compilations like Sander Kleinenberg's Nubreed Global Underground (2001), underscored NuBreed's knack for reworking established acts while carving a niche in Australia's pre-digital ecosystem, where vinyl trading and live performances were essential for visibility amid fragmented promotion.[22]Debut album and breakthrough
NuBreed's debut album, The Original, was first released in the UK in 2003 on Mob Records under catalog number MOBCD9003, with the Australian edition following in 2004 on Vicious Recordings (VICLP001CDL).[23] The album, produced by the trio of Jason Catherine, Michael Walburgh, and Danny Bonnici, drew on their collective 40 years of musical experience to blend breakbeat rhythms, hip-hop elements, and rock-inspired vocals.[24] Recorded over eight months following their signing to the label, the production process involved collaborations with artists such as Luke Chable on "One Day," Andy Page on "Bring That Sound," and the Australian hip-hop duo Koolism on several tracks, resulting in a diverse sound that reflected NuBreed's "style of no style" philosophy.[14] Key tracks included the atmospheric opener "Oddworld," the Prodigy-esque "To Know," and the guitar-driven closer "Oblivion," alongside earlier singles like "Welcome" reimagined for the album.[24] The full tracklist comprised 13 songs: "Oddworld," "One Day," "Ionosphere," "Suckerpunch," "Jaded," "Satellites," "Bring That Sound," "Welcome," "Futureproof," "Qurious," "Shortkey," "Harpooned," and "Neptune Beach."[23] The Australian edition featured exclusive new tracks and a limited-edition bonus disc mixed by Phil K, containing B-sides, remixes, and rarities to enhance its appeal for local fans.[14] In contrast, international versions, such as the UK release on Mob Records in late 2003, omitted the bonus disc and included slight track variations to suit global markets, while a 2004 edition appeared on Infracom for broader distribution.[25] Promotion centered on the lead single "One Day," which received a video production by EXIT films and propelled a national Australian tour showcasing their energetic live performances with visuals and custom beats.[14] Media coverage highlighted the album's dynamic energy, with Resident Advisor praising its versatility in bridging club and live contexts.[24] Building on their prior remixes for artists like Gerling and The Avalanches, the album marked a culmination of their preparatory work in the electronic scene.[14] The Original achieved breakthrough success in Australia's dance music landscape, earning three nominations at the 2003 Dance Music Awards for Best Debut Artist, Best Live Act, and Best New Release.[26] It performed strongly in dance chart categories, solidifying NuBreed's reputation as a leading electronic act through its innovative fusion of genres and high-impact live shows.[24] The album's momentum led to an ARIA Award nomination for Best Dance Release in 2004, affirming its cultural significance and elevating the group's national profile.Later activities and hiatus
Following the breakthrough success of their 2003 debut album The Original, NuBreed contributed tracks to various compilations during the mid-2000s, such as a melancholic breaks cut on Distinct'ive Records' Y4K in early 2006 and glitchy electrohouse on the Elektrik Series 02 EP later that year, alongside remixes for artists like The Crystal Method and appearances on Paul Oakenfold's Creamfields, Ministry of Sound, and Renaissance mixes.[27][4] As group activities waned, individual members pursued separate projects. Vocalist Danny Bonnici transitioned to a prominent solo career in electronic music, releasing original tracks and remixes on labels including Renaissance, Global Underground, Balance, and Bedrock from the mid-2000s through 2018, and earning nominations for an Australian Dance Music Award and an ARIA Award for his dance productions.[28] Producer Jason Catherine explored solo hip-hop work around 2006, which briefly sparked rumors of a group split as he rediscovered his roots in that genre.[7] Information on Michael Walburgh's post-NuBreed endeavors remains limited, with no major solo releases documented. NuBreed's live DJ appearances and national tours, such as their 2006 Y4K tour starting in Melbourne and a Triple J Mix Up session, gradually diminished by the late 2000s amid a shifting electronic music landscape that favored emerging genres like electrohouse over their breaks foundation, compounded by a focus on personal projects and the challenges of operating without sustained major label backing after their independent deals.[27] The group entered an informal hiatus in the early 2010s, with no new releases or performances recorded after 2010, reflecting the broader decline in Australia's breaks scene and members' pivot to individual pursuits; as of 2025, no reunions or revivals have occurred.[29]Musical style and influences
Style characteristics
NuBreed's musical style is characterized by a dynamic fusion of breakbeat, drum and bass, and house elements, layered with hip-hop rhythms and vocal samples that create high-energy tracks suited for club environments.[14] This blend draws from the nu skool breaks genre, featuring complex, syncopated drum patterns derived from chopped breaks and heavy, shuffling basslines that provide a gritty, driving foundation.[24] The group's production emphasizes tough breakbeats and twisted bass grooves, often incorporating drum and bass-inspired intensities alongside house's melodic progressions, resulting in a versatile sound that avoids rigid genre boundaries.[14] Central to their sonic identity are the live vocal integrations by Danny Bonnici, who delivers rock-infused hooks and delayed vocal effects that add an urban edge, frequently sampling or layering hip-hop-style rhymes and beatboxing for rhythmic texture.[24] Production techniques involve a mix of hardware samplers like the AKAI MPC 1000 for break manipulation and software such as Ableton Live for refining electronic elements, allowing for seamless transitions between gritty bass drops and euphoric builds.[14] This approach evolved from the members' hip-hop roots—particularly Bonnici and Jason Catherine's early work in Melbourne's underground scene—shifting toward club-oriented electronic tracks that prioritize pulsating energy for DJ sets and live performances.[14] In the broader Australian electronic landscape, NuBreed's style shares progressive house elements with contemporaries like Anthony Pappa, evident in their melodic builds and fusion of breaks with electronica, contributing to the country's vibrant prog-breaks movement in the early 2000s.[7]Influences and evolution
NuBreed's musical influences trace back to the vibrant hip-hop and street culture scenes of 1990s Melbourne, where founding members Jason Catherine, Michael Walburgh, and Danny Bonnici first connected through shared passions for graffiti, b-boying, and hip-hop production.[1] These roots shaped their early creative output, emphasizing rhythmic breaks and urban energy drawn from b-boy culture.[1] Locally, they were inspired by prominent Australian DJs such as Anthony Pappa, who mixed the inaugural Global Underground: Nubreed compilation in 2000.[30] The evolution of NuBreed's sound began with raw, hip-hop-inflected demos in the mid-1990s, reflecting their street-level origins before transitioning to more structured breakbeat tracks in the late 1990s.[1] By the early 2000s, they refined this into polished remixes that fused breaks with emerging electronic styles, gaining traction through high-profile compilations like those from Ministry of Sound and Paul Oakenfold's Creamfields.[4] Their debut album The Original (2004) marked a pivotal shift toward vocal-driven compositions, highlighted by tracks like "To Know," where Bonnici's vocals intertwined with layered synths and driving pads to create a more emotive, dancefloor-oriented palette.[24] As global and local electronic trends accelerated, NuBreed adapted to the rising popularity of progressive house and tech-house in the mid-2000s, moving away from pure breaks toward glitchier, electro-infused productions on EPs like Y4K (2006) and Elektrik Series 02 (2006).[4] This progression mirrored broader scene changes, including the integration of vocal elements and tech rhythms that defined the era's club sound.[4] Through these developments, NuBreed played a key role in Melbourne's 2000s electronic renaissance, contributing to the city's emergence as a hub for innovative dance music amid warehouse parties and underground residencies.[1] Their enduring contributions to the breaks movement were recognized in 2025 with inclusion in Rolling Stone Australia's list of the 50 Greatest Australian Electronic Acts of All Time.[8]Discography
Studio albums
NuBreed's sole studio album, The Original, was released in 2003 on Mob Records in the UK in CD format.[25] An Australian limited edition followed in 2004 on Vicious Recordings, featuring the main album alongside a bonus compilation disc of b-sides, remixes, and rarities mixed by Phil K.[5] The album has since been made available in digital formats. Produced, programmed, and mixed by group members Jason Catherine, Michael Walburgh, and Danny Bonnici at Nubreed Studio in Melbourne, the album was mastered by Tony "Jack The Bear" Mantz at Sing Sing Studios in Melbourne.[25] Additional production contributions came from Ivan Gough on "One Day" and Andy Page on "Bring That Sound".[25] Vocal performances appear on tracks including "One Day," "Jaded" and "Welcome" by Danny Bonnici, and "Qurious" and "Shortkey" by Michael Walburgh.[25] The album's packaging utilized wood type elements supplied by I.M. Imprimit in London.[25]| No. | Title | Length | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oddworld | 4:51 | |
| 2 | One Day | 4:48 | Additional production: Ivan Gough |
| 3 | Ionosphere | 5:56 | |
| 4 | Suckerpunch | 6:13 | |
| 5 | Jaded | 6:02 | Vocals: DB |
| 6 | Satellites | 6:24 | |
| 7 | Bring That Sound | 6:47 | Producer: Andy Page |
| 8 | Welcome | 4:59 | Vocals: DB |
| 9 | Futureproof | 4:50 | |
| 10 | Qurious | 6:41 | Vocals: Mykel |
| 11 | Shortkey | 4:47 | Vocals: Mykel |
| 12 | Harpooned | 6:01 | |
| 13 | Neptune Beach | 6:51 |
Singles and EPs
NuBreed's early singles were released through the Australian label Zero Tolerance Recordings, marking their entry into the nu skool breaks scene with a blend of progressive breaks and funky elements. Their debut single, "Welcome," issued in 2000 as both a CD single and 12-inch vinyl, featured the title track alongside a club mix and the B-side "Mutst," showcasing their initial sound influenced by hip hop and breaks. This release was later reissued digitally in 2021 on Bandcamp. Following this, "Food for Thought" arrived in 2001 on 12-inch vinyl, including the original mix and a remix by Dark Alley, highlighting NuBreed's production depth with layered percussion and basslines; it served as a precursor to their album work.[31][32][33][34] Transitioning to Mob Records in 2002, NuBreed expanded their output with standalone singles that bridged their early style toward more progressive house-infused breaks. "Ionosphere / Beats N Rhymes," released on 12-inch vinyl, paired the atmospheric title track with a hip hop-inflected B-side, earning praise for its innovative fusion and appearing on compilations like Cup of Chi Vol. 3. Later that year, "Xenomorph / Satellites" followed on vinyl, featuring the intense, bass-driven "Xenomorph" and the melodic "Satellites," which anticipated tracks from their debut album; this single underscored their growing international appeal in the breaks community.[35][36] In 2003, ahead of their album The Original, NuBreed issued two promotional EPs on Mob Records to build anticipation, both available on 12-inch vinyl and featuring multiple original productions. EP One included "Bring That Sound" (with additional production by Andy Page), "Jaded," and "Harpooned," emphasizing funky basslines and garage elements that captured the era's nu skool energy. EP Two comprised "Qurious," "Shortkey," and "Futureproof," with "Qurious" standing out for its playful synth hooks and rhythmic complexity, often cited as a highlight of their pre-album material. These EPs were limited runs but influential in DJ sets and compilations.[37][38] Post-album activity in 2004 saw NuBreed collaborate on the single "One Day" with Luke Chable, released on Mob Records as a 12-inch vinyl in multiple parts, including vocal, dub, and remix versions by PoxyMusic and Chable himself. This track, with its uplifting progressive breaks and vocal hooks, marked a commercial peak, receiving airplay and positive reviews for bridging breaks and house audiences; it remains one of their most recognized standalone releases. No major chart success was recorded for these singles, but they contributed to NuBreed's reputation in underground electronic circuits, with limited subsequent original singles following their 2003 album.[39][40]| Title | Year | Label | Format | Key Tracks/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Welcome | 2000 | Zero Tolerance Recordings | 12" vinyl, CD single | "Welcome," "Mutst"; Early breakout with club mix variant. |
| Food for Thought | 2001 | Zero Tolerance Recordings | 12" vinyl | "Food for Thought," Dark Alley Remix; Funky breaks focus. |
| Ionosphere / Beats N Rhymes | 2002 | Mob Records | 12" vinyl | "Ionosphere," "Beats N Rhymes"; Compilation inclusion. |
| Xenomorph / Satellites | 2002 | Mob Records | 12" vinyl | "Xenomorph," "Satellites"; Album precursor. |
| EP One | 2003 | Mob Records | 12" vinyl | "Bring That Sound" (feat. Andy Page), "Jaded," "Harpooned"; Promo EP. |
| EP Two | 2003 | Mob Records | 12" vinyl | "Qurious," "Shortkey," "Futureproof"; Promo EP with synth-driven tracks. |
| One Day (with Luke Chable) | 2004 | Mob Records | 12" vinyl (multi-part) | "One Day" (vocal/dub/remixes); Collaborative hit with house crossover. |