True Faith
By (Author) Chris Johnston
By (author) Richie McNeill
Hardie Grant Books
Hardie Grant Books
15th January 2023
Australia
General
Non Fiction
Music industry
Autobiography: arts and entertainment
782.42166092
Hardback
448
Width 250mm, Height 250mm
2271g
On New Years Eve 1991, Richie McNeill, under the banner of his newly founded Hardware brand, threw his first rave party at the Mercantile Rowing Club on the banks of the Yarra River in Melbournes CBD. A fundraiser for his dad's charity, which helped young kids throughout Victoria at a time when state funding for youth projects was in short supply, the event was a runaway success.
Fast forward 30 years and Richie has taken the Hardware juggernaut on a rich journey, putting Melbourne on the international map and unquestionably contributing the most to Australia's storied electronic culture. From an inthemix Lifetime achievement award to countless legendary award-winning festivals, including Apollo, Two Tribes, Stereosonic and now Festival X, Hardware has had a profound impact on the Australian electronic-music scene.
Richie DJd across the planet, flying the flag for his proud Melbourne town from 1990 til the mid 2000s, all the while establishing record stores, music distribution businesses, record labels and infamous club nights. He also ran Australia's most influential independent dance distributor, Mushrooms DanceNet, from 1992-95 during the global explosion golden era of dance music.
The Hardware impression on Australia is undeniable and this 30-year book tells the story through Richies eyes across more than 400 pages of stories, photos, posters and memorabilia.
Chris Johnston is a Melbourne-based journalist, editor, author, music writer and old (!) raver.