Beatportal Exclusive: Space 92 & Charles D Revive a Rave Classic for the Modern Floor with "The Bouncer"
When two techno heavyweights like Space 92 and Charles D collide, the result is rarely subtle — and their latest collaboration, The Bouncer, is no exception. A peak-time missile dressed in nostalgia, this track breathes new life into Kicks Like a Mule’s 1992 rave anthem while packing the kind of punch that commands modern dancefloors.
The project came together the way the best ones often do: by chance, and at exactly the right moment. The pair first crossed paths at Escape Halloween in California, where a casual conversation about reworked samples quickly sparked the idea to revisit The Bouncer. Within a week, they were side by side in a New York studio, fine-tuning the track into the no-nonsense, groove-laden beast it’s become.
For Charles D, the appeal was rooted in both sentiment and sound.
“Any time a classic can be given a modern feel without losing the essence of the original, it’s extremely satisfying,” he explains.
Space 92 echoes the sentiment, adding that the track’s old-school flavor aligned perfectly with his own love for Nineties and Noughties dance cuts.
Despite their distinctive sonic signatures — Space 92’s acid-tinged energy and Charles D’s progressive lean — the two found common ground in the track’s playful spirit.
“The fun nature of the melody and vocal were the glue,” says Charles D. “Balancing that with a driving groove is harder than it sounds, but we knew we had something special once we got it right.”
That certainty was confirmed in the only place that matters: the club.
Charles D recalls the moment the track first cleared any lingering doubts.
“I played it out at The Midway in San Francisco, and the reaction was instant. And when Adam Beyer dropped it at Time Warp? That sealed it.”
For Space 92, the track’s potential was clear from the first listen.
“Sometimes I get this feeling, and I rarely miss. The moment Charles sent me the project, I just knew. No hesitation.”
And while the sample — the iconic “Your name’s not down, you’re not coming in” — might be rooted in 90s rave lore, its meaning today hits differently.
For Space 92, the line reflects the irony of modern club culture.
“Techno was born from rebellion against conformity, but these days, if you wear the ‘wrong’ clothes, you might still not get in. It’s a strange cycle.”
Releasing through Drumcode’s DCX imprint, known for pushing sample-driven experiments beyond the typical techno blueprint, gave the pair the creative freedom to let The Bouncer straddle eras without compromise.
“When I work with samples, I do it for myself first,” says Charles D. “If the track ends up getting an official release, that’s just the cherry on top.”
Both artists have seen their fair share of chart success, but neither underestimates the power of genuine crowd connection over numbers.
As Space 92 puts it, “You can spend a million on promotion, but if people don’t connect with it, it won’t go anywhere. The dancefloor doesn’t lie.”
The collaboration drops as both artists gear up for busy years ahead.
Space 92’s newly-launched label, TAKEOFF, is already making waves, while Charles D is preparing for fresh releases on Drumcode, a remix for Cristoph, and the launch of his own imprint, KONKRTE.
So, if The Bouncer were a person on a night out?
Charles D imagines them as the gatekeeper, clipboard in hand, while Space 92 jokes: “My manager, Ghayath.”
One thing’s certain — whether it’s on the dancefloor or in the charts, The Bouncer isn’t waiting for permission to come in. It’s already inside.
