{{Short description|English electronic dance music duo}} {{More citations needed|date=February 2011}} {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2015}} {{Use British English|date=August 2015}} {{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Musicians --> | name = X-Press 2 | image = | alt = X-Press 2 | caption = | background = group_or_band | genre = {{hlist|EDM|house|deep house}} | origin = London, England | years_active = 1993–present | label = Skint |current_members = Darren House <small>(DJ Diesel)</small><br />Darren Rock <small>(DJ Rocky)</small> |past_members = Ashley Beedle }}
'''X-Press 2''' are an English electronic dance music duo. The members are DJ Diesel (Darren House) and DJ Rocky (Darren Rock). Ashley Beedle left to pursue solo projects in 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.everyhit.com/popup.php?songid=11710|title=everyHit.com Note|website=Everyhit.com}}</ref> They were DJ Award winners in 2002 and Ivor Novello winners in 2003.
==History== Explaining the band's name, Darren Rock (aka 'DJ Rocky') explained that acid house legend Terry Farley of Fire Island came up with it. Rocky said, "We were originally going to call ourselves Rock 2 House, but [Farley] wasn't really into that. So he renamed us X-Press 2. He basically liked the S'Express so kind of adapted that."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.skiddle.com/news/all/X-Press-2-Interview/20496/|title=X-Press 2 Interview|date=27 January 2014|publisher=Skiddle|access-date=12 June 2018}}</ref>
X-Press 2 first rose to underground prominence through the tracks "Muzik Express"<ref name="Junior Boys Own Discogs">{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/label/283-Junior-Boys-Own?sort=artist&sort_order=&page=5|title=Junior Boys Own Discogs|website=Discogs.com|access-date=28 August 2020}}</ref> and "London Xpress" <ref name="Junior Boys Own Discogs" /> which were both released on Junior Boys Own Records. X-Press 2 also gained plaudits on the club scene for regularly playing in clubs with their multi-decked<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/1939348.stm|title=X-Press 2: Your views|date=19 April 2002|website=News.bbc.co.uk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oRAEAAAAMBAJ&q=X-press+2+six+decks&pg=PA43|title=Billboard|date=6 April 2002|publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc.|via=Google Books}}</ref> (up to six decks with three DJs) sets.
Their debut US single, "The Sound" peaked at number one on the Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart in 1996.<ref>{{cite book |title= Hot Dance/Disco: 1974-2003|last=Whitburn |first=Joel |author-link=Joel Whitburn |year=2004 |publisher=Record Research |page=284}}</ref> 2001 saw the release of their album ''Muzikizum'' which contained two more US dance chart entries: "Smoke Machine" (number 31)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UBIEAAAAMBAJ&q=x-press+2+%27smoke+machine%27&pg=PA57|title=Billboard|date=8 December 2001|publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc.|via=Google Books}}</ref> and "Lazy", which peaked at number one in 2002 and also peaked at number two<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/20020414/7501/|title=Official Singles Chart Top 100 | Official Charts Company|website=Officialcharts.com}}</ref><ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums">{{cite book | first= David | last= Roberts | year= 2006 | title= British Hit Singles & Albums | edition= 19th | publisher= Guinness World Records Limited | location= London | isbn= 1-904994-10-5 | page= 612}}</ref> on the UK Singles Chart in the duo's native United Kingdom, as well as winning them the prestigious Ivor Novello award in 2003.<ref name="bbc.co.uk">{{cite web|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/2966887.stm|title=Ivor Novello Awards 2003: Winners|work=bbc.co.uk}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://theivors.com/archive/2000-2009/the-ivors-2003/|title=The Ivors 2003 - The Ivors|work=The Ivors|access-date=9 September 2015|archive-date=1 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190201155537/http://theivors.com/archive/2000-2009/the-ivors-2003/|url-status=dead}}</ref> The lead vocals on "Lazy" are sung by David Byrne (formerly of Talking Heads), and on "I Want You Back" by Dieter Meier of Yello.
''Makeshift Feelgood'' appeared in 2006, featuring Tim DeLaughter, Kurt Wagner, Anthony Roman from Radio 4, Kissing the Pink and Rob Harvey.
In 2013 the "Kill 100 (Carl Craig re-mix)" was used by Raf Simons for his debut Spring/Summer 2013 show <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3R-Fs69pCtQ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/3R-Fs69pCtQ |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|title=Youtube.com|publisher=YouTube|access-date=28 August 2020}}{{cbignore}}</ref> in his role as creative director for Dior.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vogue.com/865287/monsieur-simons-raf-simons-at-dior/|title=Monsieur Simons: Raf Simons at Dior|work=Vogue|access-date=24 August 2015|archive-date=25 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925112721/http://www.vogue.com/865287/monsieur-simons-raf-simons-at-dior/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
{{As of|2015}}, X-Press 2 were signed to Skint Records,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.skintentertainment.com/artists/x-press-2|title=Skint Loaded|website=Skintentertainment.com|access-date=24 August 2015|archive-date=24 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150824232336/http://www.skintentertainment.com/artists/x-press-2|url-status=dead}}</ref> a BMG company.
==Discography== ===Albums=== *''Late Night Sessions II'' (1997) *''Muzikizum'' (2002) - UK No. 15 *''Makeshift Feelgood'' (2006)<ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums"/> * ''The House of X-Press 2'' (2012) * ''MMXV'' (2015)
===Compilation albums=== *''Remixes'' (2002) *''Raise Your Hands – The Greatest Hits'' (2008) *''Coast 2 Coast'' (2008)
===Singles=== {|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" !rowspan="2" style="width:2em;" | Year !rowspan="2" style="width:18em;"| Title !colspan="10"| Peak chart positions !rowspan="2" | Certifications !rowspan="2" style="width:12em;"| Album |- !style="width:2em;font-size:90%;" |UK<br><ref name="UK">{{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/9636/x-press-2/ |title=UK chart peaks |publisher=Official Charts Company |access-date=27 September 2016}}</ref>
!style="width:2em;font-size:90%;" |UK<br>Dance<br><ref>UK dance singles charts peaks: * {{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/dance-singles-chart/19940724/104/ |title=Rock 2 House"/"Hip Housin' |publisher=Official Charts Company |access-date=27 September 2016}} * {{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/dance-singles-chart/19960303/104/ |title=The Sound |publisher=Official Charts Company |access-date=27 September 2016}} * {{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/dance-singles-chart/19961006/104/ |title=Tranz Euro Xpress |publisher=Official Charts Company |access-date=27 September 2016}} * {{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/dance-singles-chart/20001001/104/ |title=AC/DC |publisher=Official Charts Company |access-date=27 September 2016}} * {{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/dance-singles-chart/20020113/104/ |title=Muzik X Press |publisher=Official Charts Company |access-date=27 September 2016}} * {{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/dance-singles-chart/20010422/104/ |title=Muzikizum |publisher=Official Charts Company |access-date=27 September 2016}} * {{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/dance-singles-chart/20011014/104/ |title=Smoke Machine |publisher=Official Charts Company |access-date=27 September 2016}} * {{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/dance-singles-chart/20020414/104/ |title=Lazy |publisher=Official Charts Company |access-date=27 September 2016}} * {{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/dance-singles-chart/20020915/104/ |title=I Want You Back |publisher=Official Charts Company |access-date=27 September 2016}} * {{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/dance-singles-chart/20021110/104/ |title=Smoke Machine (re-issue) |publisher=Official Charts Company |access-date=27 September 2016}} * {{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/dance-singles-chart/20021222/104/ |title=Supasong |publisher=Official Charts Company |access-date=27 September 2016}} * {{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/dance-singles-chart/20030126/104/ |title=Call That Love |publisher=Official Charts Company |access-date=27 September 2016}} * {{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/dance-singles-chart/20040516/104/ |title=Stobelight Silhouette |publisher=Official Charts Company |access-date=27 September 2016}} * {{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/dance-singles-chart/20051002/104/ |title=Give It |publisher=Official Charts Company |access-date=27 September 2016}} * {{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/dance-singles-chart/20060924/104/ |title=Kill 100 |publisher=Official Charts Company |access-date=27 September 2016}}</ref>
!style="width:2em;font-size:90%;" |UK<br>Indie<br><ref>UK indie singles charts peaks: * {{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/independent-singles-chart/20000924/130/ |title=AC/DC |publisher=Official Charts Company |access-date=27 September 2016}} * {{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/independent-singles-chart/20010401/130/ |title=Muzik X Press |publisher=Official Charts Company |access-date=27 September 2016}} * {{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/independent-singles-chart/20010422/130/ |title=Muzikizum |publisher=Official Charts Company |access-date=27 September 2016}} * {{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/independent-singles-chart/20011014/130/ |title=Smoke Machine |publisher=Official Charts Company |access-date=27 September 2016}} * {{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/independent-singles-chart/20020414/130/ |title=Lazy |publisher=Official Charts Company |access-date=27 September 2016}} * {{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/independent-singles-chart/20020915/130/ |title=I Want You Back |publisher=Official Charts Company |access-date=27 September 2016}} * {{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/independent-singles-chart/20021110/130/ |title=Smoke Machine (re-issue) |publisher=Official Charts Company |access-date=27 September 2016}} * {{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/independent-singles-chart/20021222/130/ |title=Supasong |publisher=Official Charts Company |access-date=27 September 2016}} * {{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/independent-singles-chart/20030126/130/ |title=Call That Love |publisher=Official Charts Company |access-date=27 September 2016}} * {{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/independent-singles-chart/20040523/130/ |title=Stobelight Silhouette |publisher=Official Charts Company |access-date=27 September 2016}} * {{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/independent-singles-chart/20051002/130/ |title=Give It |publisher=Official Charts Company |access-date=27 September 2016}} * {{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/independent-singles-chart/20060924/130/ |title=Kill 100 |publisher=Official Charts Company |access-date=27 September 2016}}</ref>
!style="width:2em;font-size:90%;" |AUS<br /><ref>{{cite Ryan|page=306}}</ref>
!style="width:2em;font-size:90%;" |IRE<br><ref name="IRE">{{cite web|url=http://irish-charts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=X-Press+2 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161003082048/http://irish-charts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=X-Press+2 |url-status=dead |archive-date=3 October 2016 |title=Irish chart peaks |publisher=irish-charts.com |access-date=27 September 2016}}</ref>
!style="width:2em;font-size:90%;" |ITA<br><ref name="ITA">{{cite web|url=http://italiancharts.com/search.asp?search=x-press+2&cat=s |title=Italian chart peaks |publisher=italiancharts.com |access-date=27 September 2016}}</ref>
!style="width:2em;font-size:90%;" |NED<br><ref name="NED">{{cite web|url=http://dutchcharts.nl/showinterpret.asp?interpret=X-press+2 |title=Dutch chart peaks |publisher=dutchcharts.nl |access-date=27 September 2016}}</ref>
!style="width:2em;font-size:90%;" |NZ<br><ref name="NZ">{{cite web|url=https://charts.nz/showinterpret.asp?interpret=X-press+2 |title=New Zealand chart peaks |publisher=charts.nz |access-date=27 September 2016}}</ref>
!style="width:2em;font-size:90%;" |SCO<br><ref>Scottish singles chart peaks: * {{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/scottish-singles-chart/19940724/41/ |title=Rock 2 House"/"Hip Housin' |publisher=Official Charts Company |access-date=27 September 2016}} * {{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/scottish-singles-chart/19960303/41/ |title=The Sound |publisher=Official Charts Company |access-date=27 September 2016}} * {{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/scottish-singles-chart/19961006/41/ |title=Tranz Euro Xpress |publisher=Official Charts Company |access-date=27 September 2016}} * {{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/scottish-singles-chart/20000924/41/ |title=AC/DC |publisher=Official Charts Company |access-date=27 September 2016}} * {{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/scottish-singles-chart/20010422/41/ |title=Muzikizum |publisher=Official Charts Company |access-date=27 September 2016}} * {{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/scottish-singles-chart/20011014/41/ |title=Smoke Machine |publisher=Official Charts Company |access-date=27 September 2016}} * {{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/scottish-singles-chart/20020414/41/ |title=Lazy |publisher=Official Charts Company |access-date=27 September 2016}} * {{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/scottish-singles-chart/20020915/41/ |title=I Want You Back |publisher=Official Charts Company |access-date=27 September 2016}} * {{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/scottish-singles-chart/20021110/41/ |title=Smoke Machine (re-issue) |publisher=Official Charts Company |access-date=27 September 2016}} * {{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/scottish-singles-chart/20040523/41/ |title=Stobelight Silhouette |publisher=Official Charts Company |access-date=27 September 2016}} * {{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/scottish-singles-chart/20051002/41/ |title=Give It |publisher=Official Charts Company |access-date=27 September 2016}} * {{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/scottish-singles-chart/20060924/41/ |title=Kill 100 |publisher=Official Charts Company |access-date=27 September 2016}}</ref>
!style="width:2em;font-size:90%;" |US<br>Club<br><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/artist/277873/x-press-2/chart?sort=date&f=359 |title=US dance club singles |publisher=Billboard |access-date=27 September 2016}}</ref> |- | rowspan="3" | 1993 | style="text-align:left;"| "Muzik X-Press" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | rowspan="8" {{N/A|Non-album singles}} |- | style="text-align:left;"| "London X-Press" | 59 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |- | style="text-align:left;"| "Say What!" | 32 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |- | 1994 | style="text-align:left;"| "Rock 2 House"/"Hip Housin'" <br><small>(featuring Lo-Pro)</small> | 55 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 52 | — | |- | rowspan="2" | 1996 | style="text-align:left;"| "The Sound" | 38 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 58 | 1 | |- | style="text-align:left;"| "Tranz Euro Xpress" | 45 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 53 | — | |- | 2000 | style="text-align:left;"| "AC/DC" | 60 | 5 | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | 67 | — | |- | rowspan="3" | 2001 | style="text-align:left;"| "Muzik X Press" <small>(re-issue)</small> | 86 | 29 | 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |- | style="text-align:left;"| "Muzikizum" | 52 | 25 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | 56 | — | | style="text-align:left;" rowspan="7"| ''Muzikizum'' |- | style="text-align:left;"| "Smoke Machine" | 43 | 4 | 7 | — | — | — | — | — | 40 | 31 | |- | rowspan="4" | 2002 | style="text-align:left;"| "Lazy" <small>(featuring David Byrne)</small> | 2 | 1 | 1 | 52 | 15 | 37 | 78 | 31 | 4 | 1 | * BPI: Silver<ref name="BPI">{{cite certification|region=United Kingdom|artist=X-Press 2|access-date=2 May 2023}}</ref> |- | style="text-align:left;"| "I Want You Back" | 50 | 4 | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | 65 | — | |- | style="text-align:left;"| "Smoke Machine" <small>(re-issue)</small> | 80 | 11 | 13 | — | — | — | — | — | 98 | — | |- | style="text-align:left;"| "Supasong" | 100 | 19 | 18 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |- | 2003 | style="text-align:left;"| "Call That Love" | 90 | 23 | 24 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |- | 2004 | style="text-align:left;"| "Strobelight Silhouette" | 86 | 4 | 17 | — | — | — | — | — | 90 | — | | {{N/A|Non-album single}} |- | 2005 | style="text-align:left;"| "Give It" <small>(featuring Kurt Wagner)</small> | 33 | 4 | 7 | — | — | — | — | — | 27 | 8 | | style="text-align:left;" rowspan="2"| ''Makeshift Feelgood'' |- | 2006 | style="text-align:left;"| "Kill 100" | 59 | 6 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | 50 | 27 | |- | 2012 | style="text-align:left;"| "Let Love Decide" <small>(featuring Roland Clark)</small> | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | style="text-align:left;" | ''The House of X-Press 2'' |- | colspan="15" style="font-size:90%"| "—" denotes items that did not chart or were not released in that territory. |}
==See also== *List of number-one dance hits (United States) *List of artists who reached number one on the US Dance chart
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *{{Discogs artist|artist=X-Press 2}} *[http://www.residentadvisor.net/dj/xpress2 X-Press 2 on Resident Advisor]
{{Authority control}} {{DJ Award for Best Tech House DJ |state=collapsed}}
Category:English house music duos Category:English dance music groups Category:English DJ duos Category:English electronic dance music duos Category:English remixers