DJ Speedsick
DJ Speedsick | |
|---|---|
| Background information | |
| Born | Alec Eberhardt Brookfield, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| Origin | Chicago, Illinois, USA |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 2016–present |
| Labels | Bank Records NYC
RRRecords |
Alec Eberhardt, better known by his stagename DJ Speedsick, is an American electronic musician, DJ, and record producer based in Chicago, Illinois. Emerging from the experimental music scene in the late 2010s, his work gained attention for its abrasive sound and role in a revival of interest in high-BPM/hardcore techno.[1]
He has created scores for fashion campaigns by brands such as G-Star.[2] He has shared bills with artists such as FKA Twigs, Yves Tumor, Regis, and Lil Ugly Mane.[3][4][5]
Early life and education
Speedsick was born in Brookfield, Wisconsin. He graduated from Arrowhead High School in Hartland, Wisconsin, in 2011, and later attended Columbia College Chicago from 2011-2015, earning a bachelor's degree in film and video.[1]
Career
2017-2018: Early releases
DJ Speedsick debuted in 2017 on Austin-based label Breathing Problem Productions with the album Odyssey '97 on, a five-song release featuring a contrast of harsh instrumental industrial music and noise. His sophomore effort N.Y.S.S., containing three lengthy electronic noise pieces, was released later that year by Brooklyn label Dead Gods, followed by a reissued alternate version of his debut entitled Spiral '07. 2018 saw the release of Death Trip '17, along with the establishment of his own label, Snake Eyes & Sevens, with the EP In Trances.
2019-2020: Breakthrough
In January 2019, he released the album Nothing Lasts through the Brooklyn-based label Bank Records NYC.[6] The album was acclaimed within underground and independent music circles and credited with helping define the sound of a new generation of electronic musicians.[1][6][7][8][9]
In 2020, he released Blood Mixed With Shit Mixed With Blood through the Berlin-based label Psychic Liberation, Electromagnetic Chauvinism through American noise label Fusty Cunt, Midwest Death Trance through Lobster Theremin's sublabel Techno Is the Devil's Music, and returning to Breathing Problem Productions with 777, a three-cassette compilation of unreleased earlier material.[10]
2021-2023: Later output, and fashion ventures, scoring
2021 saw the release of a split 12" record with Berlin-based producer Buttechno entitled "Spectres" on his Psy X Records imprint, distributed by Juno Records.[11][12]
In 2024, he collaborated with London-based director Jordan Hemingway on scores for advertising campaigns by fashion brands including Acne Studios, Maison Margiela, and G-Star.[2] That year also saw the release of Recycled on RRRecords, Execution Style on Pure Hate, Satanic Connection Between UNIX® and the Underworld, and No Exit, a digital release featuring raw guitar and drum sounds.[10]
In 2025, he performed as the opening act for two sold-out Chicago dates of FKA Twigs' Eusexua Tour at The Salt Shed.[3] He composed his debut feature-length film score for the 2026 indie found footage horror film Compliance, directed by Kyle Mangione-Smith and starring Lindsey Normington.[13]
Live appearances
Throughout his career, he has performed both DJ sets and Live PAs for concert appearances with artists such as FKA Twigs, Lil Ugly Mane, Regis, Yves Tumor, and Usurp Synapse.[3][4][5]
Style
DJ Speedsick's music is commonly described as techno, hardcore, industrial, noise music, power electronics, and musique concrète, often highlighted for its raw, cathartic aggression and analog, "old school" sonic quality achieved from the use of analog hardware and recording to cassette.[1][10][12]
Personal life
He currently resides in Chicago, Illinois.[5]
Selected Discography
| Year | Title | Label | Format | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Odyssey '97 | Breathing Problem Productions | Cassette | Debut release |
| Spiral '07 | ||||
| N.Y.S.S. | Dead Gods | |||
| 2018 | Death Trip '17 | Breathing Problem Productions | ||
| 2019 | Nothing Lasts | BANK Records NYC | ||
| Dance with the Devil | Cassette | |||
| 2020 | 7 7 7 | Breathing Problem Productions | Cassette | 3 x cassette anthology |
| Blood Mixed with Shit Mixed with Blood | Psychic Liberation | CD | ||
| Electromagnetic Chauvinism | Fusty Cunt | Cassette | ||
| Turn Illness into a Weapon | Ophism | 12" Vinyl
Cassette |
||
| 2021 | Snake Pit LSD | DNA Records | Cassette | |
| 2022 | Spectres | PSY X Records | 12" Vinyl | split with Buttechno |
| Midwest Death Trance | Techno Is The Devil's Music | |||
| 2023 | Concrete Hell EP | self-released | Digital | |
| temp_eeeb7dc_.DS_Store | CD-R | |||
| Faces.Of.Death.1978.VHSRip.XviD-DJSS.nfo | CD-R
Cassette |
DJ mix | ||
| 2024 | Satanic Connection Between UNIX® And The Underworld | Escalationist | CD-R | |
| Deathamphetamine II: Back In The Pit | Total Black | Cassette | ||
| Execution Style | Pure Hate | 12" Vinyl | ||
| No Exit | self-released | Digital | ||
| Recycled | RRRecords | Cassette | Part of the "Recycled Music" series | |
| 2025 | Scant / DJ Speedsick – Split | Breathing Problem Productions | 12" Vinyl | split with Scant |
References
- ^ a b c d Gordon, Scott (May 13, 2019). "DJ Speedsick drags techno to unsettling places". Tone Madison. Retrieved October 21, 2025.
- ^ a b Staff, B. I. A. (September 24, 2025). "G-STAR Introduces Anatomic Denim With New Campaign". Branding in Asia. Retrieved October 21, 2025.
- ^ a b c "Chicago Events - Chicago Reader community calendar". Chicago Reader. Retrieved October 21, 2025.
- ^ a b Kuffel, Veronica. "Yves Tumor, DJ Speedsick entertain energetic crowd". The Badger Herald. Retrieved October 21, 2025.
- ^ a b c "DJ Speedsick · About · Artist ⟋ RA". Resident Advisor. Retrieved October 21, 2025.
- ^ a b "DJ Speedsick, "Nothing Lasts"". Bandcamp Daily. January 6, 2020. Archived from the original on January 6, 2020. Retrieved October 21, 2025.
- ^ duplication.ca (December 20, 2019). "Best Cassettes of 2019: Duplication.ca Staff Picks". DUPLICATION.COM BLOG. Retrieved October 21, 2025.
- ^ Staff, Noisey (January 25, 2019). "Stream of the Crop: 11 New Albums for Heavy Rotation". VICE. Retrieved October 21, 2025.
- ^ Staff, Noisey (December 13, 2018). "31 Essential Records You Might Have Missed This Year". VICE. Retrieved October 21, 2025.
- ^ a b c d "The History of Rock Music. DJ Speedsick: biography, discography, review, ratings". www.scaruffi.com. Retrieved October 26, 2025.
- ^ recordturnover (September 10, 2022). "Buttechno & DJ Speedsick". ↻Record Turnover. Retrieved November 20, 2025.
- ^ a b BUTTECHNO/DJ SPEEDSICK - Spectres Vinyl at Juno Records., retrieved November 20, 2025
- ^ "Compliance". FilmFreeway. Retrieved October 23, 2025.
- ^ "DJ Speedsick". Discogs. Retrieved October 26, 2025.