Architect of the dark sides of techno
“Mad” Mike Banks
For decades, Detroit's techno mainstay "Mad" Mike Banks has been a lasting force in the Motor City underground. He played a pivotal role in the renaissance of Detroit techno in the '90s as a founding member of Underground Resistance. His role made a significant impact on the scene, and it was never the same afterward!
For inner-city kids like Banks, Detroit's late-night radio DJ, the Electrifying Mojo was like Shaolin, the monk of the city. He played the tracks that he knew people, like Derrick May and Banks, needed to hear, and his inspiration on techno still resonates with its pioneers today. He included Rock Lobster, a sound by The B-52's, in his vast repertoire. Just a regular boy with a love for music, or so we thought, but here we are now!
The session musician has performed with other musicians such as Amp Fiddler and Jeff Mills, and George Clinton, who taught Banks how to separate bass and kick drums and loop tape. However, he also recognized the darker sides of the music industry including the sounds. That keen ear led the way for darkness to be incorporated into his fantastic work and his judgment helped avoid the people in darkness.
Independent music is synonymous with Underground Resistance, whether as a collective or as a label. Using this ethos, they have helped artists such as Drexciya find an audience and have promoted their own uncompromising version of techno. There is no change coming from Banks. Anonymity has always tried to sneak into the limelight, but he's always one step ahead!
'Mad' Mike Banks is not just involved in supporting electronic music and techno but also helping to turn Detroit's illegal drag racing scene into a legitimate one. This is not a well-known fact; however, he has created something that could make a great, long-lasting experience by using his DJ platform.
Banks wanted to establish an Underground Resistance Foundation to support nightlife scenes across the globe and the creativity they inspire. Hegemann's Happy Locals project, which aims to help young people create their self-sustaining scenes in small towns and villages, is an example of how these projects are designed to empower people and kill homogenization.
Banks worked various jobs while he was starting out, including construction and mechanical work. He gained access to some of the equipment required to develop his signature sound due to his job of evicting people from their homes. According to Banks, it doesn't matter how good your gear is if you lack passion. It is all about passion and falling in love with what you do.
Mad Mike has always been suspicious of the music industry and will not choose to cease now! He explained that he had witnessed hostility between individuals working within the industry and disagreed with their actions, behaviors toward others, and never trusted them in the first place!