The Bonkers series was one of the leading happy hardcore compilation series in the UK. The first release was in 1996 on the record label React (now Resist). It was available on 2xCD and 2xTC formats. DJs Sharkey and Hixxy were signed by React, and they released "Bonkers", the first in a series of albums that has become the best-selling hardcore compilation series of all time. As of 11 May 2009, the series had reached its nineteenth release, titled Bonkers: The Original Hardcore.
History The Bonkers name was based on the bar with the same name at Butlins Minehead (which has since changed to an Irish Bar). DJ Hixxy said in an interview with Vice “React wanted to sign 'Toytown', so we went up to London to meet them. I said, 'Listen, forget ‘Toytown’. You can have that, no problem. But I’ve got a bigger idea.' It totally changed the meeting. We sat and discussed [the idea for the happy hardcore compilation albums] 'Bonkers' for hours. The name came from a bar in Minehead Butlin’s that we’d played with Ramos and Supreme. I just loved the name.” Frequent contributors to the Bonkers collection include DJ Hixxy, DJ Dougal, DJ Sharkey, Neophyte and Scott Brown.
In 2019, the music publication DJ Mag published a retrospective article about the Bonkers album series, highlighting how it had "ushered in a new era" even though the critical reception at the time had been varied.
Bonkers has also been licensed for local release in Australia via Central Station Records. Bonkers 1-15 was also licensed to "Get over the records" in 2005 for Japanese branded releases. The Japanese edition of Bonkers vol. 1 went on sale on 26 October 2005 with a full TV advert in Japanese. "Get Over the Records" only released Bonkers 1-7 in the Japanese market and has since 2007 stopped releasing albums altogether.
In June 2008, Hardcore online news site 'happyhardcore.com' announced that British dance label All Around the World (AATW) had purchased the rights to Bonkers starting from what would have been volume 18, set to be released in 2009. There had been speculation about a label change for some time, but AATW finally confirmed it. The UK Hardcore genre, which has seen a recent unprecedented rise in popularity, has already helped AATW in securing number one chart positions with its Clubland Xtreme Hardcore releases. The label also expressed their desire to expand the Bonkers brand, suggesting the use of Universal Music TV as their distributor for future releases, as they do for their successful Clubland compilations. All Around the World relaunched the Bonkers series on 11 May 2009 under the title Bonkers: The Original Hardcore, which was mixed by Hixxy, Sharkey and Chris Unknown.
In 2017, Scottish rave promoters Twisted Events and Intenzifi revived the name with annual Bonkers events in Scotland (2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 missed due to Government action regarding Covid-19, 2021 and 2022).
In 2021, Scottish Internet Radio Station Beat 106 created the Bonkers Beats radio series alongside Hixxy, Sharkey, Dougal and Scott Brown. The show features previous Bonkers contributors.
In 2022, Bonkers started touring events up and down the United Kingdom.
September 2023 - Bonkers published a Mission Statement regarding is to relaunch in October as two record labels by Sharkey and Al Twisted. The main "Bonkers" which would have a multi-genre approach with all forms of Hard Rave and "Bonkers Legacy" celebrating the past.
Compilation Series overview Title Mixed by Release date Peak chart positions Certifications UK Comp Bonkers Hixxy, Sharkey 25UK: Silver Bonkers 2: Now We're Totally Bonkers Hixxy, Sharkey 10 Bonkers 3: A Journey into Madness Hixxy, Sharkey, Dougal 31 UK: Gold Bonkers 4: World Frenzy Hixxy, Sharkey, Dougal 8 UK: Silver Bonkers 5: Anarchy in the Universe Hixxy, Sharkey, Dougal 12 Bonkers 6: Wheel Crazy Dougal, Sy, Vibes 10 Bonkers 7: Millennium Fever Hixxy, Dougal, Sy 18 Bonkers 8: The Rezurrection Hixxy, Sharkey, Sy 36 Bonkers 9: Hardcore Mutation Hixxy, Sharkey, Scott Brown 27 Bonkers X Hixxy, Sharkey, Scott Brown 18 Bonkers XI: Forevolution Hixxy, Sharkey, Scott Brown 34 Bonkers 12: The Dirty Dozen Hixxy, Sharkey, Scott Brown, Breeze & Styles 7 Bonkers 13: Hardcore Horror Show Hixxy, Sharkey, Scott Brown, Dougal 13 Bonkers 14: Hardcore Strikes Back Hixxy, Sharkey, Scott Brown, Dougal 12 Bonkers 15: Legends of the Core Hixxy & Re-Con, Sharkey & Marc Smith, Scott Brown & Neophyte, Dougal & Gammer 33 Bonkers 16: Maximum Hardcore Energy! Hixxy & Re-Con, Sharkey & CLSM feat. Kutski, Scott Brown & Gammer 15 Best of Bonkers Hixxy & Re-Con, Sharkey & Druid, Scott Brown 9 Bonkers 17: Re-Booted Brisk & Ham, Sharkey & Kevin Energy, Scott Brown & Marc Smith 18 Bonkers: The Original Hardcore Sharkey, Chris Unknown, Hixxy 8 The AnnualSharkey & Rob IYF, Klubfiller, Mike Reverie, Sharkey19 December 2024
Bonkers
Disc 1: Mixed by Hixxy Hixxy & MC Sharkey - "Toytown" Dougal & Eruption - "Party Time (Remix)" Hixxy & Ikon - "The Wizard of Oz" Hixxy - "Thumper" Hopscotch & Dougal - "Steam Train" Hixxy & Bananaman - "Together Forever" Dr Who (Northern Lights) - "Love of My Life" A Sense Of Summer - "On Top (Hixxy Remix)" Highlander - "Hold Me Now (Bass-D & King Remix)" Bass-D & King Matthew feat. DJ XD - "Like a Dream" DJ Seduction & Eruption - "Bust the New Jam (Remix)" Seduction - "Step To The Side'" Vinylgroover & Quatro - "Calypso Summer" Brisk (artist) - "Airhead (SMD Remix)" Eruption - "Let the Music (Original Mix)" Force & Styles - "Funfair (Exclusive Remix)" Hixxy - "A - Ha Ha Ha" Scott Brown Vs DJ Rab S - "Now Is the Time (Hixxy & Trixxy Remix)"
Disc 2: Mixed by Sharkey Marc Smith & Sharkey - "Truth" Force & Styles - "All Systems Go" Terrible Twins - "Burn This Joint (Tekno Dred & Helix Mix)" Seb - "Rainbow Islands (Sharkey Mix)" Billy Bunter, D-Zyne, Supreme - "Outside World" Vampire - "Teknostorm (Sharkey Remix)" Ham - "Is There Anybody There" Druid & Bananaman - "Tweedledum" Sy & Sharkey - "Feel the Heat" Druid & Sharkey - "Bonkers Anthem" A Sense Of Summer - "Techno Round the World (Remix)" Druid & Sharkey - "Pumpin'" Druid & Sharkey - "Rocket to the Moon" Druid & Sharkey - "Frantik" MC Sharkey - "Revolution (Slipmatt Remix)" Brisk - "On & On" Force & Styles - "Wonderland"
Bonkers 2: Now We're Totally Bonkers
Disc 1: Hixxy Mix Evolve - "The Living Dream" - feat Lisa - 4:51 Antisocial - "My Way" - 4:19 Demo - "I've Got a Feeling" - 1:37 A Sense of Summer - "On Top (Hixxy '97 Mix)" - 4:13 Antisocial - "Now You've Got" - 5:00 Antisocial - "Forever Young" - 4:49 Antisocial - "Whistle" - 4:17 Hixxy & Sunset - "People's Party" - 4:38 The DJ Unknown Project - "Critical Heights (DJ Hixxy remix)" - 4:28 Vinylgroover - "Wham Bam" - 1:25 Fade & Melody - "Is This Love?" - 2:43 Fade & Bananaman - "A Dreams Surprise" - 2:30 Dougal & Mickey Skedale - "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" - 2:52 Antisocial - "Antisocial" - 3:46 DJ Demo - "Your Mine (Slipmatt Remix)" - 4:07 Evolve - "Sugar & Spice" - 2:41 Blitz, Blaze & Revolution - "Big Up the Bass" - 2:09 Antisocial - "24-7" - 5:43 Antisocial - "Scream" - 3:56 Force & Styles - "Paradise & Dreams" - 4:39
Disc 2: Sharkey Mix Ramos, Supreme & UFO - "Ravestation (X-clusive RSR remix)" - 5:39 Ramos, Supreme & UFO - "Tekniq" - 3:32 Druid & Energy - "Future Dimensions" - 3:53 Bang the Future - "Body Slam" - 4:57 GSI - "Twister" - 5:49 Darryl - "Whores in the House" - 3:07 Quatro - "Rock 'n' Roll" - 3:52 Druid & Trixxy - "E-Motion" - 4:01 Rapido - "Inside Beat" - 4:32 Marc Smith - "Boom 'n' Pow (Exclusive Marc Smith Remix)" - 4:21 Fury - "Droppin' Bombs (Exclusive remix)" - 3:15 Sharkey & Trixxy - "Genesis" - 5:59 Helix - "UR Everything" - 5:03 Sharkey & Trixxy - "Therapy" - 5:52 Sharkey - "Revolution pt.1" - 4:27 Trixxy - "See The Stars" - 2:54 Eclipse - "Ultraworld 5" - 4:15
Bonkers 3: A Journey into Madness
Disc 1: Mixed by Hixxy Hixxy & Bananaman - "Together Forever (Evolve Remix)" - 5:06 Hixxy & Sharkey - "Return to Toytown" - 4:45 Daydream - "Galaxy" - 5:06 Q-Tex - "Power of Love '97 (The Digital Boy Italian Rave Remix)" - 2:44 Visa - "Fly Away" - 2:38 Daydream - "Make Your Own Kind of Music" - 3:52 Bang! - "Cloudy Daze" - 4:03 Spitfire - "Feel This Way" - 4:23 4 Tune Fairytales - "Take Me to the Wonderland" - 2:24 Fade & Melody - "Liquid Night" - 4:17 Antisocial - "Fairytale" - 4:29 Antisocial - "See Me Through" - 5:19 Antisocial - "Legends" - 4:57 Antisocial - "Happy Days" - 4:00 Hixxy - "Starry Night" - 4:35 Antisocial - "Need Your Love" - 5:02
Disc 2: Mixed by Sharkey Sharkey & UFO - "The Beginning of the End" - 1:53 UFO - "Inner Sanctum" - 4:48 Ramos & UFO - "The Ravechief" - 4:25 Supreme & UFO - "Trip to the Other Side" - 6:34 Brisk & Trixxy - "Back to the Top" - 4:20 Druid & UFO - "Temporal Rift" - 4:19 Sharkey & UFO - "Terra Nova (Exclusive Bonkers Mix)" - 5:31 Quattro & Dizzy D - "Future Trance Project 2" - 4:47 Brisk & Trixxy - "Rock the Beat" - 4:15 Energy & Loopy - "Overdose" - 4:03 Slam - "Influence (Slam & Helix Remix)" - 3:34 Slam & Helix - "Acid Break" - 3:33 Trixxy - "Here to Invade" - 4:17 Eclipse - "Devastator" - 4:31 Marc Smith (hardcore artist) - "Nothing More" - 4:14 Go Mental - "I Can Feel It (VIP Acid & Bass Mix)" - 4:47 Sharkey - "Sound Assassin (Exclusive Instrumental Mix)" - 3:41 Marc Smith - "The Procrastinator" - 5:47 Sharkey & UFO - "The End of the Beginning" - 0:29
Disc 3: Mixed by Dougal Dougal & Mickey Skeedale - "Gotta Go (Remix)" - 4:22 E-Logic & DNA - "Going All the Way" - 4:07 Innovate - "It's Out There" - 3:44 Dougal - "Tranquility" - 4:18 Triple J - "Follow the Sun" - 4:30 Euphony - "Dancin' in the Rain" - 3:32 Hopscotch & Dougal - "Steamtrain (Remix)" - 4:52 Dougal & Mickey Skeedale - "Re-Create Creation" - 4:52 Triple J - "Have It All" - 5:07 Ham, Demo & Justin Time - "The Big Spill (Demo Remix)" - 3:47 Breeze - "Jump a Little Higher" - 5:03 Dougal & DNA - "Tears in Your Eyes" - 4:40 Demo - "Muzik (Ham Remix)" - 4:18 Fade & Bananaman - "Dream's Surprise (Seduction Remix)" - 3:58 Innovate - "Talkin' 'Bout Love" - 3:35 Stompy - "Follow Me" - 5:20 Innovate - "Stop Me" - 4:22
Bonkers 4: World Frenzy
Disc 1: Hixxy's Mix Slashing Funkids - "Imagination" - 5:07 Los Bonitos - "The Lights" - 4:10 Sequel Base - "The Third Chapter" - 3:05 OMG - "Different Outlook" - 5:22 The Saints - "Fire" - 4:56 Sub-Ace & Aura - "A Guiding Light" - 2:12 OMG - "14th Dream" - 4:58 Bananaman & Blitz - "The Quickening" - 1:51 Q-Tex - "Equazion Pt 9" - 4:03 2 without Heads - "U & Me" - 2:23 Visa - "Don't Go Away" - 4:03 Devil Licious - "By My Side" - 5:30 OMG - "The One" - 4:24 Q-Tex - "Power of Love '98" - 3:40 Unique - "Distant Skies" - 3:20 Devilicious - "Better Days" - 4:20
Disc 2: Sharkey's Mix Johnny Go Mental - "Acid Rain" - 6:48 Fury - "De-Sensitize (98 Remix)" - 4:25 Equinox - "The Hustler" - 5:21 Marc Smith - "Encounters" - 6:44 Brisk & Trixxy - "Back to the Top (Remix)" - 4:39 Energy - "Future Dimensions Pt 2" - 4:37 Helix & Tekno Dred - "Mindless Pleasure" - 4:28 Energy - "The King of Rock" - 4:48 Slam - "The Bell" - 4:37 Eclipse - "Light Cycle" - 3:54 Marc Smith & Sharkey - "Death by Stereo" - 5:34 Marc Smith - "Gotta Hold on" - 5:33 Marc Smith - "On Two Turntables" - 4:22 Sharkey - "It's a Hard Life" - 5:02 Sharkey - "Product of Society" - 3:50
Disc 3: Dougal's Mix Innovate - "Innovate Anthem" - 4:35 Dougal & Mickey Skeedale - "Don't You Realise" (feat Jenna) - 3:36 Datcha & DNA - "Dub Star" - 3:28 Brisk & Trixxy - "Eye Opener" - 4:09 Dougal & Mickey Skeedale - "Life Is Like a Dance (Remix)" - 4:41 S-Scape - "Express Yourself" - 3:56 Bang! - "Shooting Star" - 4:07 Seduction - "Leaving the World Behind" - 4:30 Unique - "Feelin' Fine" - 5:14 Dougal & Skeedale - "Words of Wisdom" - 5:13 Bang! - "Sailaway" - 3:39 Breeze - "Let's Fly" - 4:24 Sub-Ace & Aura - "My Dreams" - 5:24 Dougal & Skeedale - "Zurich (Storm Remix)" - 4:29 Dyanoiss - "The Underground" - 3:44 - (G. Henderson & L. Horsfield)