They’re not evil and there’s only two of them, but other than not living up to their randomly chosen yet aesthetically pleasing name Tom Beaufoy and Pat Pardy in no way disappoint. That’s if you are in to a distinctly individual sound that defies categorisation as straightforward breaks and has delivered both cerebral stimulation and dancefloor satisfaction with every release so far.

Tom and Pat first combined skills in 1998 and were quickly identified as a quality DJ/Producer duo by Adam Freeland who signed them to his Marine Parade label. Since then each of their releases has in turn distinguished Evil Nine as innovators who refuse to blend into the scene. For them the music has to go beyond being merely ‘fat’. Deriving their musical flavour from multiple influences – hip-hop, punk, deep house, garage rock, techno and krautrock – they create an original minimalism packed with emotive ability.

Evil Nine’s punk rock, DIY attitude is epitomised in their remix of Ils’ “Music”, a track you might recognise from the Carling advert but which initially stirred up the breaks scene – irritating purists, exciting the open-minded and inciting the masses to mosh and pogo. Other remix success has been had with krautrock band Pet on Gronland, Unkle, Santos and Freeland.

Their third single “Crooked ft. Aesop Rock” is becoming established as a timeless classic and typifies their latest direction – a sonic contrast of uplifting and melancholic with the backdrop of raw dirty sounds and a nod to nostalgia. Its successor “Pearlshot ft. Juice Aleem” is testament to their ongoing ability to tweak the breaks and hip hop format.

Recent collaborations have included work with Aesop Rock (DEFJUX) and Juice Aleem (New Flesh/Shadowless) for the album “You can be special too” out in July. Intended for both club and home listening it reflects Pat and Tom’s heavily hip-hop influenced party roots as well as their aim to soulfully resonate with wider appeal.

With Tom on decks and Pat on FX live shows have drawn crowds of up to 2000 in France, Spain, Hungary and their recent ours of AISA and Australia. They have played at respected clubs such as The End, Fabric and have a number of residencies alongside the likes of Laurent Garnier as well as currently playing at Urban Gorilla in Sheffield with Tayo.

Their love of branching out rather than playing it safe has led to extremes of rejection or adoration from the public and press, but that’s the way they like it. Evil Nine aren’t afraid of getting up a few noses by attempting something different if it spawns progress and keeps their ever-evolving style fresh. Reactions to the first single from the album “Restless” have been extremely positive. The ragga vocals and rocking guitars have struck a chord with those bored of formulaic dance tracks, quite simply it sounds like nothing else. Radio support has come from Zane Lowe, Pete Tong, Annie Nightingale, XFM & Kiss.

Even if Tom and Pat are two likeable blokes and not a menacing troupe as their name suggests, as The Independent newspapaer has observed, when they combine their talents and their shared musical vision as Evil Nine they “rock like the proverbial bastard”.