Anton Banks - The Vault Radio Show - Aug 2007

Biography of Anton Banks

By day, Anton works as an Engineer in the aerospace industry for a company that produces jet aircraft engines. He graduated from Central Connecticut State University in May, 2000 with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering Technology and is currently pursuing a Masters in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Hartford. In his free time, Anton is a DJ and aspiring techno music producer.

In 1993 Anton Banks was a student at the University of Rochester and was into hip-hop and euro-dance pop music. He especially liked the beats and rhythms found in this music but became increasingly disinterested in the lyrics. Looking for something different, Anton borrowed a compilation CD from a friend. That CD was the seminal 'Moove Your Body' release on Tribal America Artists. Soon he was obsessed with all forms of underground dance music and broke all ties to the pop music scene. Anton found himself buying all the rave and house music he could find at a store called 'The Record Archive'. Also at about the same time Anton started going to a club in Rochester called 'Heaven' which was a stripped down version of New York City's infamous super club , the Limelight, as it was also built out of an old church. He only knew that he liked the music but it would be almost a year and a half later before Anton realized that he had been listening to early techno in it's heyday in the form of tracks like The Goodmen's 'Give it up', Jaydee's 'Plastic Dreams' and an assortment of music from early Detroit and Plus 8. The turning point came in 1994 when Anton first heard 'Psychotrance', a mixed CD by Mr. C on Moonshine Music. This CD and his experiences at 'Heaven' gave him a desire to learn to spin records.

In 1995 Anton transferred to Central Connecticut State University and joined the school's radio station, 107.7FM WFCS, as the student engineer shortly after that. As the engineer he had 24 hour access to turntables and an audience and used this opportunity to learn to mix records by taking advantage of dead air (which was and still is often at WFCS) to practice mixing. Through WFCS Anton met other people such as DJ Rockphonics- founder of Equinox and O.L.- the third hillbilly on 'Hillbilly House', who showed him the ropes and got me bookings. In 1996 Anton got his first booking at the now legendary Equinox weekly (Webster Theater in Hartford, CT from 1996 to 97). This turned into his first residency which gave him the opportunity to open for many touring DJs from New York City, Boston, and beyond.

Anton's first radio show, 'Spatial Distortion', was first heard on WFCS on January 18, 1995 and was on the air until May of 2000. In July, '99 Anton started a second show, 'Vault Radio', that now airs on 88.1FM WESU (Wesleyan University), as an offshoot of 'Spatial Distortion'. Anton is now one of a small number of people promoting non-commercial electronic music in Connecticut on a station that covers most of the state.

It has now been over 10 years since Anton began DJing and he has become one of the most versatile acts around. He has built up a musical repertoire of several thousand records that span from minimal house to techno to industrial and most styles in between.

Punisher - The Vault Radio Show - Aug 2007

Biography of Punisher

Known in circles of Detroit and around the globe for her ambition and skills on the tables, Michelle Herrmann a.k.a. Punisher has set a precedence in a city known for it's fickle taste. Her birth into the techno realm began in Detroit in 1993 at the age of 15.

DJ’ing wasn’t enough. 1996 she put out her first two releases on Detroit label Matrix records and then in 1998 , she started her own label , Seismic Records with a friend and fellow producer Mike Brickner a.k.a. Cozmic Spore. Using the label as a tool push their own concepts of sound and motion they have in turn worked with and gained the respect of many world renowned DJs and producers. With releases from the Advent and Bryan Zentz and liscensing from Dave Clarke and Billy Nasty .. to name a few, Seismic has developed into a strong force in underground techno.

Since Seismic Records began in 1998, it has become a unique tool that allows Punisher to continue moving in a new direction with her production. She has added synths to her unique blend of percussive styles inspired by Swedish / German techno producers, yet maintains a distinct Detroit sound when all the layers are brought together.

Punisher continues the momentum of producing techno releases and also travels the world performing devastating DJ and LIVE P.A. performances. From Drum N' Bass to Techno and everything in between, she has repeatedly played throughout the US , Canada , Puerto Rico and has headlined large scale Famous events and clubs all around the World with … Joel Mull, Cari Lekebusch, Marco Carola, Ben Simms, Jay Denham, Misstress Barbara, Richie Hawtin, Dave Clarke, Derrick May, T-1000, Gaetano Parisio and many others.

Michelle's music has also landed her a spot as guest DJ on the Satellite 'XM RADIO' which signed a deal with Detroit's Motor giant GM for placement of it's radio in all new vehicles off the assembly line. On top of her game would be an understatement for Punisher, as her accomplishments are only a small portion of what she has planned for 2004 and beyond…. Including a huge onslaught of releases lined up to come out and her First ever full length Album !!