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Frenzy interview our residents MNKY & Ryki

26th May 2009 - interview copyright of Frenzy

MNKY & Ryki are one of the most exciting back-to-back DJ partnerships to emerge from the UK clubbing scene in recent years, and are fast cementing themselves a reputation amongst the hard dance community for fast beats, energetic performances and fun-packed sets. We decided to interview them in advance of Frenzy with Implosion on June the 5th

The MNKY & Ryki logo
The MNKY & Ryki logo


1. Hi Guys, it’s been a long time since you had the Frenzy interview treatment and in fact I think it was so long ago that you weren’t even residents when we last did this... so how has the last couple of years been for you?

Ryki: Trully awesome! We've had some rockin parties with Frenzy since being made residents and were well glad to be onboard with all the madness! We've made some real good friends in Bournemouth now and are happy to call it our home from home!

Ryki rocking out behind the Frenzy decks
Ryki rocking out behind the Frenzy decks

2. During that time what have been your favourite gigs or highlights and why, I know we’ve had some pretty mad ones in that time!

MNKY: By far my favourite gig would have to be at The Opera House for the Slinky Halloween Ball last year when Frenzy hosted room 2. Every since I started clubbing I've always wanted to DJ so I was so fucking happy.

From leaving sunny Weymouth to the venue it was all systems go. We got a few of our friends to come up with us on a mini bus, got a bit drunk on the way up to cram the nerves and had a really good set... well, played one wrong tune but apart from that all good!

The lads DJ'ing for Frenzy at Slinky
The lads DJ'ing for Frenzy at Slinky

Ryki: Yeah I was still in the main room throwing the shapes! Thats what happens when you separate the Minky from the Rinky, shit goes wrong!!

But I agree, the Halloween Ball was defo a bit special for us, it was a BIG personal achievement for us both too! Also the Frenzy Christmas party just gone at Dusk Till Dawn - that was a bit chaotic with all the set swapping but the party vibe was in full flow as it was Mitch's birthday too! Plus we'd just seen Pendulum at the BIC!

3. You guys provide the harder soundtrack for the Frenzy nights with your European Hard Trance and you really know our crowd. Could you describe Frenzy for anyone who has not been?

MNKY: It's the best friday night you will have out till the next one comes along. Everybody in the club has a love for the music that is being played.

Ryki: It's always rocking at Frenzy! Theres something for every raver and the function 1 sound system is awesome! Recent line ups have included trance to bouncey hard house to NRG to hardstyle. Its like a raver's pic n mix, its naughty but oh sooo good!!! Something for everyone!

Posing in Dusk Till Dawn on another Frenzy night
Posing in Dusk Till Dawn on another Frenzy night

4. I read in a recent interview that you were both looking at producing some tracks… but as of yet I have seen nothing. Where are you with this and what are your plans?

MNKY: Ask Calvin Harris about that one the "C**T!!" Also we have just got some studio time book in with Jon The Baptist and I can't wait for that to happen coz everything he touches turns to gold at the mo, I'm hoping our tune goes platinum.

Ryki: We haven't had much luck with the producing side of things. For a start Calvin Harris robbed us (as Mitch has already gracefully mentioned!)! haha! and Jon The Baptist is a busy man so pinning a date down with him is like getting the Queen to DJ at Frenzy, bloody difficult but not beyond the possible!

But we made a track with Jay Saloman (aka PointA of Frenzy electro room fame) last year in his studio but it hasn't seen the light of day yet as we all haven't found the time to finish it.

MNKY screaming for more
MNKY screaming for more

Since then though Calvin Harris has had his chart topping number 1 which, we think, sounds EXACTLY as our tune (millions might debate it though) so I'm thinking Mr Harris might have done a bit of moonlighting with Mr Saloman! tisk tisk!

Anyways, we finally have a studio date with Mr Baptist in June so we'll see what comes of that. We've got a great idea as to what we want done, its just a case of someone showing us the ropes!! One day we just might have our own tune to play out but dont hold your breath!

5. There are some exciting things coming up for you guys with Frenzy so feel free to tell the clubbers what those are just so we can whet the appetite!

Ryki: Well obviously we have FUTURE. POWER. PEOPLE. on June 5th which I'm looking forward to as Frisky & Caz Wood are playing. I've heard alot about Caz but never had the chance to go her check out.

Then on July 10th we have the biggy! The notoriously mental Mark EG for Frenzy at Dusk Till Dawn! Thats one I'm really excited about, its not often you get to see a DJ of that calibre play in such an intimate venue and with the function 1 in the mix too, well, all I can say is WOW!

MNKY & Ryki are best mates as well as DJ partnership
MNKY & Ryki are best mates as well as DJ partnership

6. We left off from the last interview we did with you as to how the fuck we should pronounce your names as we have enough trouble spelling them as it is but where rudely cut off due to Ricky's credit running out! Care to enlighten us?

MNKY: I go by the name of M.N.K.Y witch is short for MoNKeY for those who didn't know. It got landed on me by my "so called friends" (coz i is black. lol) but I quite liked it so sort of went with it... And for those select few that call me MINKY... it's not its MONKEY!!!

Ryki: And I'm obviously Ryki as my real name is Ricky. I wanted to jazz it up a bit! I've since learn't that there's a town in Poland called Ryki with their own coat of arms and everything (look it up on wiki!)! I like to think they've named it after me!

Ryki casting a hard trance spell
Ryki casting a hard trance spell

7. Speaking of producers, there's a lot of new talent coming through at the moment who seem to be getting some very good support. Which DJs and producers do you feel are the next big thing in hard dance?

MNKY: At this moment in time I couldn't really say but the only one that comes to mind is DJ The Corbz. I think he is a really awesome DJ. He brings all the new tune to the table and he can really get the crowd going. Everytime I see him play he always makes me shake my booty

Ryki: Yeah Corbz is doing well. His production partner S.F.M has finally come out of the Bridders (Bridport) fog and started getting some cracking tunes under his belt, defo a man to watch! Louk also has turned heads this year with his darkness and Iain Cross is still doing what he does best!! hehe! South West is the place to be at the moment! Oh and Shock:Force, keep an eye on them hard trancers!

MNKY & Ryki make a Kym Ayres sandwich
MNKY & Ryki make a Kym Ayres sandwich

8. Now onto the silly side of things, We've been asking DJs recently what they would do if they were PM for the day, given the current economical and political climate. If there was a Prime Minister M.N.K.Y + Ryki, what would they be doing right now?

MNKY: I would get a house in London and let it rot, just because I could as I wasn't paying for it. Also bring the British back from the war, as it was the fucking yanks that started it so let them finish it and get rid of council tax because that's a bitch!

Ryki: Naked Fridays and world peace! Conveniently Frenzy's on a Friday too!

Pointing the way towards quality tunes at Frenzy
Pointing the way towards quality tunes at Frenzy

9. Could you tell us something we might not have previously known about M.N.K.Y + Ryki, perhaps an embarrassing secret, or maybe something downright bizarre about you?

MNKY: I have no hidden secrets the only thing I could say is that I fucking love Slipknot and Stone Sour. I'm off to download festival soon and can't wait!

Ryki: He lies!!! Next time you see Mitch, ask him about him and Dan's 3am shenanigans in Bulgaria!! Thats all I'm saying! For me, I have no big toe nails! Weird enough for you? haha! To be fair I was never going to make a career out of foot modelling though!

The lads will be starring alongside Caz Wood and Frisky on the 5th of June 2009 at Dusk Till Dawn nightclub in Bournemouth. Check out our forthcoming hard dance events for more details.

Photos courtesy of www.ravenworks.co.uk.