Padded Cell

Richard Sen and Neil Beatnik are not normal people. Having won notoriety as a Bronx Dog (Heavenly) and a Dirty Beatnik (Wall of Sound) respectively, Padded Cell came about in 2002, partly as a response to the conservatism of early millennium dance music but also to act as a conduit through which they could conduct and realize their most outlandish ideas.

Originally let loose in order to drop a dub of Big Two Hundred’s ‘Let it Bleed’, their first full scale release came in the Autumn of 2005 with Signal Failure, a prowling slab of sub aqua freak funk that reached like an ESP projection from within the Cell to the darkest corners of the dance floor.

With a sound that draws from sources as diverse as Goblin, The Velvet Underground, Arthur Russell, Prince, Carl Craig and label boss J Saul Kane, analogue fetishism and creeping psychosis are key themes, as is a need to create something that is both honest and unique.

It is their intent to fashion a sound that is soulful and emotional, yet also dark and narcotic; something that can be understood simultaneously by the head and the heart, getting under the skin in different ways. Rather than seeking to fit into a pre-existing niche, it’s about creating an idiosyncratic sound that is peculiar to their respective personalities and reflective of their combined experience.

A shared history as club deejays and  producers means that even the most mind bending elements of their sound are conducted through dance floor focused channels; disco breaks and rolling percussion combining with menacing synth work outs, electro sensibilities and live instrumentation to create an unholy brew that has been described variously as ‘dark disco’,‘goth disco rock’, and perhaps most tellingly of all, ‘devils disco.’

The Padded Cell inhabit a hinterland, drawing the listener into shadows with whispers and opaque promises, follow your ears and you’ll find yourself trapped within.

Richard Sen

Graffiti artist Richard Sen has been DJing since 1989 starting with a residency at the legendary Crazy Club at The Astoria. Ecstacy, Acid House and frequent trips to New York, visiting his heroes at Nu Groove and Strictly Rhythm and searching for Chicago obscurities gave Richard the house music bug.

He is known for his production outfits Padded Cell and Bronx Dogs. He has released many singles, 2 albums and a compilation ‘Powercuts’ for BMG Recs.

Richard now records with partner Neil Beatnik under the name Padded Cell who are signed to DC Recordings and released their debut album in May 2008. Sen’s solo remixes have been for Tirk, Cosmo Vitelli, Black Devil Disco Club, D-Edge (Sao Paulo) and Citizen Kane (NYC).

Highlights of his career include: Heavenly Social residency 1998-2000, ‘DJ of the Month’ FACE 1998, being nominated for ‘Best New DJ’ MUZIK AWARDS 1998. He has featured in many style/music magazines including Sleaze Nation, Jockey Slut, DJ, IDJ, NME and The Wire. He was also a key influence on the 80’s underground graffiti movement in the UK (and also one of the first to be sent to prison for graffiti!) and appeared in the BBC television documentary Open Space ‘Bad Meaning Good’ in 1987. His artwork has also graced the record covers of Sabres of Paradise (‘Smokebelch’ and ‘Theme’). A full interview on his graffiti and music work can be seen in the June 2005 issue of Undercover magazine.

In keeping with the attitude from his graffiti background, Richard’s DJ style is totally unique and it’s important for him not to be pigeonholed. He has played big room house/techno sets and can also play crazy eclectic sets including psyched out rock, leftfield cosmic funk and disco, newave/electro oddities and early house obscurities. He has played all over the world in the past 20 years and still remains passionate yet professional with impeccable taste and a healthy record collection.