The Chemical Brothers

Meeting at Manchester University, the Chemicals were inspired by the Balearic beats and rare grooves being created in Ibiza and started DJ-ing under the name Dust Brothers. Producing their own white label tracks and building a reputation as re-mixers, they started the Heavenly Sunday Social Club night in London, attracting the attention of James Dean Bradfield, Tim Burgess and Paul Weller. Forced to change their name by another act called Dust Brothers, their debut album Exit Planet Dust (1995) pioneered a big beat sound with psychedelic loops, hazy electro and swirling textures. After collaborating with Noel Gallagher on Setting Sun, their second album Dig Your Own Hole (1997) sent them into the mainstream and they became one of the first electro artists to fill arena-sized shows and play major festivals. Hey Boy, Hey Girl was another big UK hit, while Surrender (1999), Come With Us (2002), Push The Button (2005) and We Are The Night (2007) all topped the UK album charts.