Base Once: The Pioneers of UK Bassline House

Base Once is a British electronic music duo credited with helping to define the raw, energetic sound of the bassline house genre in the late 2000s. Hailing from Sheffield, England, the pair achieved significant underground success with their 2007 single "Bass Mechanic," a track that became a staple in clubs and on pirate radio stations across the North of England.

Early career

Formed in 2006, Base Once consists of producers Matt "M-Dub" Watson and Lee "L-Dub" Wilson. The duo emerged from Sheffield's vibrant underground garage scene, initially crafting tracks on basic home studio setups. Their early demos, characterized by skippy 4x4 garage beats and deep, wobbly basslines, quickly caught the attention of local DJs and led to their first release on the independent label Southpoint in early 2007.

Breakthrough

The breakthrough for Base Once arrived later in 2007 with the release of "Bass Mechanic." The track was picked up by the influential Sheffield-based label All Around the World, which gave it a wider national release. "Bass Mechanic" became a crossover hit, peaking at number 38 on the UK Singles Chart and receiving heavy rotation on key radio stations like BBC Radio 1Xtra, cementing the bassline house sound in the national consciousness.

Key tracks

Bass Mechanic — This 2007 single is their signature track, a bassline house anthem that broke into the UK Top 40 and defined the genre's peak-era sound.

Shake It — A collaboration with MC Versatile, this track showcased their ability to blend catchy vocal hooks with relentless bass pressure, becoming a club favorite.

Hands Up — Released in 2008, this track demonstrated their production evolution with a more complex, synth-driven arrangement while maintaining dancefloor energy.

Get Down Low — This later single from 2009 incorporated elements of funky house, illustrating the duo's adaptability within the UK bass music spectrum.

Following their initial success, Base Once remained prolific, releasing a steady stream of singles and EPs on labels like 3Beat and Ministry of Sound. They collaborated with prominent MCs of the scene, including DT and MC Marvel, and their tracks were regularly featured on popular bassline compilation albums. While the mainstream popularity of the genre waned after 2010, Base Once continued to perform at dedicated bassline and UK garage events, maintaining a loyal fanbase.

Fans of the driving, bass-heavy sound of Base Once should also explore the work of similar UK artists. The productions of T2 share a similar focus on minimal, impactful basslines and garage rhythms. The anthemic style of TS7 follows a parallel path in the modern bassline and house scene. For the classic Yorkshire bassline sound, check out Mr V. The earlier UK garage influence is evident in the music of Artful Dodger.

The music of Base Once maintains a strong presence on radio, particularly on specialist electronic music stations and online radio streams dedicated to UK garage and bassline heritage. Their classic tracks are frequently featured in throwback sets and genre-focused shows on independent music radio stations, ensuring their pioneering sound reaches new audiences.

Listeners can discover the high-energy tracks of Base One on radio stations featured here on onairium.com. Tune in to our curated selection of electronic and bass music stations to hear their influential anthems in rotation.