Twisted Magazine – Edition 7
July 2026

Edition 7 of Twisted Magazine brings together two different generations and perspectives from the UK underground music scene featuring in-depth interviews with Jay “The Fat Controller” and Jakeeq from Connexions Club.

The Fat Controller – Building the Foundations of the Rave Scene

With more than four decades behind the decks Jay “The Fat Controller” takes us right back to the foundations of UK dance music and shares the story of a career that began long before Jungle and Drum & Bass became the scenes we know today.

Jay talks about starting out at a school disco in 1982 playing his first club set in 1983 witnessing the emergence of acid house and experiencing first-hand the birth of the British rave movement.

He takes us through the early days of promoting acid house events in Plymouth the importance of independent record shops and the story behind Mission Control Records which would go on to become part of the journey of countless future DJs.

The interview also explores some of the venues events and people that shaped his career from Milwaukees and Dance Paradise to decades spent DJing promoting and watching underground dance music evolve from small club nights into a culture capable of filling arenas and stadiums.

Jay speaks candidly about how DJing has changed from vinyl to digital what today's generation can learn from the original rave movement and why preserving the stories and foundations of the scene matters.

There are plenty of memories along the way too including playing to around 10 000 people his love of original Jungle the unforgettable nights that defined his career and even the rather unexpected story of telling Steven Spielberg to get out of his way.

But behind the achievements is a much simpler message. When asked how he would like to be remembered Jay doesn't talk about records crowds or events. He simply hopes people will remember that he was a good person with a good heart and good intentions.

Jakeeq – Connexions Club Community & Life Behind the Music

Edition 7 also sits down with Jakeeq DJ producer and the driving force behind Connexions Club.

Jake talks about his high-energy approach behind the decks producing his own music and why connecting with the crowd matters just as much as technical ability or track selection.

The interview explores how Connexions Club grew from an idea between friends into an underground events platform supporting DJs MCs and emerging talent across Drum & Bass Jungle UK Garage 140 and Grime.

He discusses Birmingham's underground scene events at SUKi10C the realities of running independent events and something audiences rarely see: the months of planning financial risk pressure and problems behind creating a single night.

For Jake supporting the scene means more than saying it online. It's about turning up buying tickets sharing events staying for the whole lineup and supporting local artists as well as established names.

A Personal Conversation

The interview also moves beyond music as Jake speaks openly about his recent epilepsy diagnosis and how it has changed the way he approaches DJing events recovery and everyday life.

He talks honestly about processing the diagnosis learning to listen to his body the importance of support from family and friends and why venues promoters and crews need greater awareness of epilepsy and other hidden conditions.

It's also a conversation about resilience community and the role music can play during difficult periods of life.

Jake describes music as an escape and explains why creating events means more to him than simply putting on a rave. For a few hours people can leave whatever they're dealing with outside come together and feel part of something.

His message to anyone dealing with their own setback is simple: don't allow it to define who you are or stop you doing what you love.

Two Generations. One Underground Culture.

Together the two interviews capture exactly what Twisted Magazine exists to document.

From someone who witnessed the foundations of UK rave culture being built to someone working to create opportunities for its next generation Edition 7 looks at where the scene came from where it stands today and where it could go next.

As always Twisted Magazine is about more than DJs and music. It's about the people behind the scene their lives their challenges and the community that connects them.

We continue to celebrate and preserve the culture of Drum & Bass Jungle Hardcore House Garage and underground electronic music while creating space for honest conversations around mental health wellbeing and the realities people face away from the dancefloor.

Every edition of Twisted Magazine helps support Mind with all profits donated to the charity.

Read Twisted Magazine – Edition 7 online here:

https://twistedmagazine.aflip.in/thefatcontroller

All profits go to Mind – support the cause:

https://www.justgiving.com/page/twistedandmind