Mike Clark

• Active: '80s, '90s, 2000s
• Genres: Electronica
• Instrument: Producer, Performer

Biography

Having discovered dance music and DJing at the tail end of the original disco era in 1979, Detroit native Mike Clark submerged himself in the early-'80s post-disco era and continued developing his DJing skills throughout the '80s and '90s and into the early 2000s as one of the Motor City's most respected and talented DJs. His experiences with dance music began during his early teens, when he started spinning records, listening to Detroit's legendary WLBS station, and admiring local DJ legend Ken Collier. He took substantial interest in the productions of Georgio Moroder and Gino Soccio, in particular, two producers in vogue with the early-'80s Detroit scene, and began spinning at a number of the city's clubs whenever the opportunity presented itself: Cheeks, Studio 54, City Club, L'Oumo, and Steam Pit. His DJing profession took a large step forward when he joined forces with the local Direct Drive DJ collective and began getting involved with their radio show. Then in the mid-'80s, he discovered the burgeoning Chicago house scene during its formative stage, in particular Farley Jackmaster Funk's work. Merging this Chicago style with the Euro-disco sound popular in Detroit, Clark became a major figure in the birth of Detroit techno in the late '80s, alongside other DJs such as Derrick May, Alton Miller, and D Wynn.

During this exciting era of innovative discovery, Clark became Agent X and began producing tracks in addition to his increasingly polished DJing duties. Besides some minor production work during this late-'80s era, he also helped Mad Mike Banks form the Underground Resistance label, a major accomplishment in retrospect. After remixing "Fever" by Saxxy in 1992, Clark took some time off from production before returning in 1995 to remix Lonnie Gordon's "If You Really Need Me," in addition to establishing Agent X Records in 1996 which he inaugurated with a Hall and Oats remix produced in collaboration with Glenn Underground. For the remainder of the '90s, he focused mostly on his DJing. Near the very end of the '90s and during the early 2000s, Clark suddenly elevated his presence in Detroit, once again becoming one of the city's most prolific DJs, hosting club nights and joining forces with Carl Craig's Planet E label. He released an impressive EP on the label in 2000, In the Morning, and mixed the second volume of the acclaimed Geology series. ~ Jason Birchmeier, All Music Guide

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