The history of Breaking
Breakdancing or B-boying is a street dance style that evolved as part of the hip hop movement that originated among African American youths in the South Bronx of New York City during the early 1970s. It is arguably the best known of all hip hop dance styles.
The name Breakin is believed to have derived from the Dj,s using the 'breaks'(small instrumental or drum tracks in the middle of records) and fast mixing them into one continueous beat.The MC,s or Rappers would freestyle over these rhythms, and the dancers would challenge each other in a type of non-conflict battle between rival 'gangs' or 'crews'. This style of djing was made popular by such names as Cool Dj Herc, Jazzy J and Grandmaster Flash. British dj's like The Mixdoctor became pioneers in the Uk with nights at clubs like Bojangles and Chaplins in Nottingham. Stoke later had it's own hero's in the form of Reckless, With Dj's like Pete Bromley and Oliver John.
Breakdancing is one of the so-called four elements of hip hop, the others being MCing, DJing, and graffiti. The movement came to the UK in the early eighties, although it didn,t reach the mass media until the release of the so called break-dancing movies of the time. There were many crews already doing their stuff, and here are the most talented of the time. www.wilkipedia.com)
reigned supreme on the dancefloors of Staffordshire and Cheshire. A group of friends from the Stanfields,Tunstall area of North Staffordshire. 
We joined together to battle in the Roxy Roller Rink "breakdancing championships" in the summer of 1985. 
Our first tournament was quite successful after we took first prize in the team challenge, and I (DJ Fresh or SOX) took second position in the individual competition. First place went to Daniel spencer (Dizzy D). Incidently Danny went on to more fame with his band "Candy Flip" who had a huge hit with the Beatles cover "strawberry fields forever"
We went on to compete in many more competitions both locally and nationally. My favourite was a huge contest in Warrington, where B-Boys came from all over the country. The finale was a
"Beat Street" style challenge against the local top crew. I can clearly remember the intense excitement when "Breakers Revenge" kicked in. We absolutely crushed the competition with our floor skills and body popping winning the day...
Respect Deserved guys, I will never let our names die.
Anyway, back to the B-Boys stories. If you are from Stoke-on-Trent and remember The Place, you will remember the B-Boys who lit up the dancefloors.
THE ATOMIC FORCE CRU 84
FULL MEMBERS: DJ FRESH, E.Z MAX, MASE, BUCKO, WOCKER, COCKY, JOHN PHILLIPS, CHAD & RUB........
The Elite Team
Big shout to Earl John and Fatman (bodypopper supreme), Spencer and all the other guys.
The Fresh Tex
(Mostly from Stoke College) Dean, Parksey, Muppet..
Big shout to Ronnie Case (top Headspinner and later joined a cru that competed in the British finals) and now teaches street dancing at High Schools (nice one!!!)
The Phoenix Force
(Mostly from Newcastle-Under-Lyme) Gaz and the rest of the posse (can't remember the names guys, sorry)
All the guys from Joiners Square, you are forever in my heart Bo and Tez and also, the top DJ of all time.. Daz Willot or Cutmaster D.
Daz willot What can I say about the DJ that rocked so many floors "WORLDWIDE" Shelleys, Entropy, Amnesia,Space and too many more to fully give him justice. "The Original Homeboy" is the title he earned so well ,and we will never forget you man.... Respect mate!!!!! click on the name to hyperlink to his site, but don't be long.
Daz also has a homepage click HERE
Daz is currently turning his hand to music production with a band called The Underground Citizens. There newest offering has been remixed by GOD COMPLEX.
Incidently BO & TEZ were in a cru with RONNIE CASE , which I spoke about earlier. This is the team that were in the UK Finals...(RESPECT IS DUE)
The first b-boys I saw 19/90 (wicked)
The Roxy Roller (Glass Street, Hanley)
Every Satuday afternoon B-Boys,body poppers,jazz funk and street dancers, would travel from all over Staffordshire and Cheshire. The Venue was The Roxy in Glass Street, Hanley.
The building was nothing special, a former cinema I believe in the 1950s, which was transformed into a roller rink. There was a huge star in the centre of the floor and the room was decorated with some real dodgy graffiti. (sorry whoever was responsable). This however was the meeting place for B-boys, both local and from far afield as London, Manchester, Nottingham and Birmingham.
Jazz funk dancers and crowds come on down,to hear the funky electro sounds...
The sound system was amazing with huge Bass bins banging out the latest U.s Imports that were fresh from Spin Inn Disc Centre in Manchester. Two local DJ,s became superstars with that Saturday afternoon " hours of wickedness"
Kyle Filcher and Johnny Beggs (The Boogie Man)
Although Johnny Beggs was already a well known northern soul dj, many will remember him for the roxy. The two hours of now classic electro and U.S Imports was amazing.
Kyle is sadly no longer with us, but my mix tape is still played to this day guys....Respect kyle.
Daz Willot also cut his djing teeth there, and was already cutting and scratching old school break beats. I can remember him selling his tapes outside, and this is when I became a friends of his. The tunes were like nothing anyone had ever heard before, and it changed many peoples lives forever..
Cybotron, Davy DMX, Egyptian Lover, Hashim, Jonzun Crew, Knights of the Turntables, Newcleus, Pretty Tony, Russel Brothers, Unknown DJ, West Street Mob, Rocksteadty Crew.
These tunes were so bass heavy and the adrenalin was electric. The Fresh Tex Versus Atomic Force battling for supremacy.....Wicked !!!!*"@
Elite Team Versus Phoenix Force.....Fresh!!!!@#
All the local B-Boys and B-Girls would crowd round and make the whole experience breathtaking.
Reputations were made and destroyed in those few minutes of dancing.
Even today people stop me in the streets to say "I remember you, Atomic Force Cru". It makes me so very very proud.
Accasionally there would be rumours of crews coming for battles from all over the UK, and sometimes these were realised.
The Rock City Crew , The B-Boys , London All stars to name some of the fantastic visitors...FRESH was the word and it described the feeling to a tee.
The music
So many folk pass by the electrofunk era not realising its huge influence on todays coolest tunes. Saturday afternoon sessions at the Roxy Roller Rink and Sunday at The Place with Trevor M are now the stuff of folk-lore in Stoke-on-Trent. The under 18s night at The Place was the only night out in Stoke worth talking about.
Roxy Roller Rink (now the Void- Home of Golden) was a place where B-boys gathered to show their skills, and you could listen to the best music in the world. (Still true today)
When the battles were about to begin the atmosphere was electric. The top tunes at the time for battles were:
Arthur Baker - Battle Cry
G-Force - Feel The Force
Man Parrish - Boogie Down Bronx
West Street Mob - Electric Boogie
Rockers Revenge - Battle Cry
World Famous supreme Team - Buffalo Gals.
If you were there at the time, you surely witnessed something great. It will provide you with wonderful memories for the rest of your life.
Respect to everyone I have met there, I will always remember the B-Boys and Girls.
Author ; DJ FRESH (Atomic Force Cru) 1895 - 1989
Check out this MySpace MP3 Player!words Little Viktor
Under Attack are a five strong crew from Stoke-on-Trent, with two other occasional members. They are Ron, Gaz, John, Andrea and Kevin. The crew is led by Ron who speaks for the interview...
Under Attack? Why that name and what does it stand for?
It's just that the name sounded good and was fun. Also we took this name at a time when most b-boy events were down South [London]. Because we were outsiders coming in from the North, we felt we were under attack. Then there is the attack from the media, commercialism, ignorant people and such like. B-boys are always under attack.
Where you always called Under Attack?
No. Originally we were called the Slow Motion B-boys. We had a disagreement with a crewmember who then left. He claimed to have thought up the name and thus took it with him. Later we renamed ourselves Under Attack.
When did you start breaking as a crew?
As Under Attack around 1997. Before that we were breaking in individual crews but knew each other. Most of us began breaking in the early 80s then stopped between 86-87 until '97.
How did the crew Under Attack come about?
The crew as it is today formed around '97 just before the UK Champs. We had nearly a ten year absence from breaking. John phoned me up and I knew Gaz. We met the others, Andrea, Kev, Roy at gigs and we became Under Attack.
Music!! I come to practice and you're playing tapes of big beats, wassup? Where's the old-skool and the funk?
We like this music [chemical beats, Drum-n-Bass et al] because the beats are fast and varied. These beats can give a certain character to your dance moves. Also faster music makes you dance faster. (Yeah there's nothing as whack as slow turtles...-L.V). You could also call it moving on. Why be stuck in the past? At the end of the day it's about dancing to a beat. No matter what you label that beat.
So what does b-boying mean to you? What has being a b-boy done for you?
We have no deep answers for you mate. For us it is a way to have fun and enjoy dancing. Sure it develops friendships and maybe builds confidence but as a person b-boying will not develop personal qualities and good virtues. You have to do that for yourself.
What battles have you enjoyed most?
Second to None came up here to Staffordshire University as support to a Scratch Perverts gig. It wasn't really a battle more of a jam but we were on their level with only some last minute practice. John was brilliant. Sometime last Autumn John went to Funkin Pussy and he alone kept back the Chunks of Funk crew. Mostly though it's been quiet on the Under Attack front.
What has the crew achieved over the years?
One of our best was when we came fourth in the UK Champs '97 especially since it was our first time breaking properly for about ten years. We've done loads of gigs though up and down the country whether hip-hop or chemical beats. We've danced at old school raves and snow boarding events. We've been to two gigs in Switzerland and appeared on MTV... Mostly though it's quiet for us because we are underrated and also we keep a low profile. Remember we are doing this for the love of the dance, not to achieve fame and fortune.
Well that brings my interview to an end. It was a little rushed as the crew were practising for a UK-only championship and also insisted that no pictures were taken.
From talking to Ron it seems he and his crew have a real passion for the dance. They have no expectations nor any disillusions about being b-boys (and b-girl). To a beginner they always stress that you work on your top rock first and then go down. "If you can't do it standing up, you won't be able do it on the floor" is what Ron shouts out a typical session to new breakers who try to jump ahead of themselves. To new breakers he says they should take care not to injure themselves. Work on building strength and conditioning their bodies for the moves. Some exercises recommended were handstand push ups, holding a freeze for 10 - 15 seconds. Vary positions to work different muscles.
Kevin is the popper of the crew. I asked him his views and tips on popping, breaking etc. but he said "No comment". So typical of Kev. I left him combining some floor work and freezes with body popping. Words taken from http://www.ukhh.com
Old Skool B-Boys
Atomic Force
Atomic Force
Atomic Force
Atomic Force
Atomic Force
Atomic Force
Atomic Force
Atomic Force (Sox)
Atomic Force
Atomic Force Atomic Force
Atomic Force
A big thank you to all that have sent in these images. If anyone has any images from the Stoke on Trent Old Skool (The Place, Roxy or anywhere else) please get in touch and I will preserve them forever.
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