Apollo Four Forty are a British electronic music group renowned for pioneering the big beat genre in the 1990s. Hailing from Liverpool, the duo achieved major commercial success with their 1999 album "Gettin' High On Your Own Supply," which spawned several UK Top 20 hits and was certified Gold.
Formed in Liverpool in 1990, Apollo Four Forty consisted of producers Noko and Trevor Gray. Their initial sound was a potent fusion of electronic dance, rock, and funk, leading to their first releases on the independent label Stealth Records.
Their early work included remixes for artists like U2 and the Manic Street Preachers, quickly establishing their reputation for powerful, sample-heavy productions. This groundwork set the stage for their move to a major label and subsequent breakthrough.
The group's mainstream arrival came in 1997 with the single "Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Dub," a reworking of Van Halen's "Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love." Released on Epic Records, the track became an anthem, reaching number 7 on the UK Singles Chart and defining the big beat era.
This success was solidified by their 1999 album "Gettin' High On Your Own Supply," which peaked at number 11 on the UK Albums Chart. The album's blend of rock guitars, breakbeats, and electronic hooks earned it a Gold certification in the UK.
Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Dub — This 1997 single was their commercial breakthrough, masterfully blending a Van Halen guitar riff with heavy breakbeats.
Stop the Rock — A later single from 1999, it became another UK Top 10 hit and remains one of their most recognizable and energetic tracks.
Krupa — Featured on their debut album "Millennium Fever," this early track showcased their signature style of fusing live drums with electronic production.
Liquid Cool — This track exemplifies the cinematic and atmospheric side of Apollo Four Forty's sound, often used in television and film.
Following their peak success, Apollo Four Forty continued to release albums, including "Dude Descending a Staircase" in 2003. They also composed notable film scores, such as for "The Last Minute" in 2001, demonstrating their versatility beyond the dance floor.
The group's activity became less frequent in the late 2000s, but their influence on the big beat genre and electronic rock fusion remains significant. Their music is frequently cited as a key influence by later acts blending rock and electronic elements.
For fans of Apollo Four Forty's energetic big beat sound, several similar UK artists defined the era. The Chemical Brothers share a similar approach to stadium-sized electronic rock anthems. The Prodigy pioneered a more aggressive punk-infused take on breakbeat and rave culture. Fatboy Slim was another cornerstone of the big beat movement, focusing on sample-heavy, party-starting tracks.
The music of Apollo Four Forty maintains a strong rotation on specialist electronic and alternative rock radio stations. Their classic hits are staples on stations dedicated to 90s dance music and big beat, as well as on online radio streams focusing on electronic music history.
Listeners can discover the powerful big beat sound of Apollo Four Forty on radio stations featured on our website. Tune in to stations available on onairium.com to hear their iconic tracks and experience the energy that defined a genre.
