Stanton Warriors

Eclectic DJs, producers, remixers and artists, working ostensibly in the UK garage genre, yet encompassing a variety of styles. Dominic B (b. 12 December 1974, Bristol, Avon, England) and Mark Yardley (b. 22 August 1975, Devon, England) met while working in the A&R department and as a studio hand respectively, at garage label Tuff Jam's 51st Recordings imprint. They took their name not after a leading brand of stylus, but a make of manhole cover. The success of their debut singles, "What You Gonna Do"/"Too True Determined" and "Bring Me Down", ushered in an in-demand period of increasingly high profile remixes for artists such as Basement Jaxx ("Jump 'n' Shout"), Azzido Da Bass ("Dooms Night") and Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott ("She's A Bitch"). Their next single, "Da Virus" became a millennial dance anthem. Signing to XL Recordings, the duo's mix album, The Stanton Session, was ecstatically reviewed in July 2001. Described as "a box of audio fireworks", it provided an almost academic slant on UK garage for a meaning-hungry press. The music they make is warm and, for a machine-driven genre, surprisingly emotional. Regulars on the festival circuit and well known through their residency at James Lavelle's Fabric club in London's Farringdon, the duo's popularity was enhanced with world DJing dates. Stanton Warriors signed to 679 Recordings in 2002 and began work on their debut album.