Mydjspace Global Music Network

"Over 300,000," Michael Vincent Patrick referencing numerous spots around the world where the group has performed. "I have a really nice apartment in New York City, but I've only been there three days this month." It's a testament both to the duo's popularity and work ethic that that number may become the annual norm. After nearly 50 remixes for everyone from Mariah Carey to Annie to Thieves Like Us, the diverse electronic group, comprised of Patrick and Theodore Paul Nelson, is set to release their debut album HARDCORE/SOFTCORE on Ultra Records in February 2011. Where past productions and remixes have been on the poppier end of the musical spectrum, Hardcore conjures up a darker, edgier vibe – think the throbbing, industrial-heavy opening club scene in "The Doom Generation" – yet still retains a melodic center on many of the tracks. "I think we're making music for the apocalypse," says Michael, only half-joking. "The state of society is at a place where people just don't give a fuck and that's what inspires our music."

On Hardcore/Softcore, numerous sounds saddle up against each other, proving the title's veracity. The punishing electro-industrial punk of "Dead Meat" and grinding, pounding beat of club bangers "Face Melter" and "The Terror" provide contrast to the pop vocals of Norwegian singer Annie on "Crazy For You" and fist-pumping up-tempo anthem "Into The Light." Elsewhere, the classic electro-funk of "Leather Gang" sits comfortably against the Italo-shoegaze of "For All We Know" and lead single "Through The Prism" the new electro classic featuring Cerebral Vortex. In stark contrast to albums that sound like they're on repeat by track four, Hardcore/Softcore 's myriad styles are a welcome change from many electronic LPs. While a debut album, Hardcore/Softcore functions as much as a culmination of a decade's work as it does the next stage in a bourgeoning career. As the electro scene started to flourish in the early 2000s, the pair built a studio in Philadelphia and christened themselves DESIGNER DRUGS, balancing an in-demand DJing schedule with near-constant demand for track remixes, including Little Boots' "Meddle," Fischerspooner's "The Best Revenge," IAMX's "Spit It Out" and Heartsrevolution's "Switchblade." We caught up with Theo in between studying at Medical School in West Virginia. So you are studying at Medical school, how does that work out with the band? Do you just send Michael out on the road for the gigs?

Well I don’t really need to send him out, he’d gladly go out. Anyway he is the better DJ out of the two of us, not by much though (laughs)

It sounds like you get the short straw, when you are sitting studying he is out rocking a club?

Haa, don’t remind me, yeah I do as many shows as I can. Right now, my schedule is really difficult as I am on a month-to-month schedule with a different doctor every month so I can’t really plan too far ahead but its cool as I have a studio in my house so I can spend a lot of time writing, as long as I can do some music I am happy.

So how do you manage to fit it all in?

Its tough, it really is but I think as long as organise my time on weekends when I am not touring. If I am not touring I am either working on music or studying, I don’t do too much else apart from the odd video game.

How long do you have left?

Well I actually signed up to the Navy when I started med school so will probably have to do active duty when I finish which means I will have to do four years with them. I’ll probably be a general surgeon with the Navy and do music at the weekends, (laughs). I don’t know, actually I don’t know what the fu*k I am doing to tell you the truth but there is no way out of it ha.

So what will come first Music or Surgery?

Well I am stoked either way! I can always do music, as long as I have a computer and I keyboard I can write music.

I noticed you were paying at Ultra, how was that?

Well I couldn’t make it, I had a plane ticket booked but I had to cancel as I was put on call that weekend which sucked! I try to tell myself it would have been crap (laughs), actually some people don’t even know I am missing and write on facebook saying ‘aww man you smashed it last night’ (laughs).

How about SxSw?

(laughs) I never made that one either.

Ha, do you make any of the good shows?

Ha I do make a lot of the shows; I make WMC most the time and I normally make a lot of the festivals and i managed the entire Asia tour a few months ago.