DJ Mark McCabe will be performing his hit 'Maniac 2000' at this year's Electric Picnic. Yes, you read that correctly.

It's the first time that the Dubliner has performed the tune live in 15 years, so no doubt it's going to be one to remember - alongside a set filled with other dance classics. The Vengaboys will also be making an appearance this year; you can thanks the folks at Electric Ireland, who are bring a #90sPowerParty to the Picnic in 2015.

To celebrate, we caught up with Mark to ask him a few questions about his megahit.

 

'Maniac 2000' was a defining tune for a generation of Irish teenagers. Did you have any idea how big it would become?

No idea at all ! We thought that maybe it would do top 20 – but never No.1. And then 10 weeks! The first few weeks were crazy; signings, press, TV and gigs all over the country. It was full on! The fact that it went back to No.1 fifteen years later and is still around is mind blowing.

It's still a regular dancefloor filler at any wedding I've been at over the last few years – what's the strangest place you've heard it played?!

I was told it was played at someone’s funeral! Good way to go, I guess [laughs].

Considering how big the song became, there must be some odd/funny stories that went along with it – can you tell us any?

There has been some pretty surreal moments over the years, like meeting a guy who had woken up after a 3 month coma and the first thing he said was “play Maniac”. That’s pretty inspiring!

Can you talk us through why you chose that particular song to remix? 

It was originally released by 4Rhythm and remixed by The Soundcrowd. Dublin DJs were rapping over that 12” version and I was doing the same. We recorded it live at the Temple Theatre and started playing it on Pulse FM. It grew from there. In 2000, we re-recorded it and released it with Abbey Discs. It has all the right bits: hands in the air, shout backs and a killer chorus.

What's the story with the lyrics? There's a melange of stuff in there, from 'oggy oggy oggy' chants to philosophical musings on life…

You never reveal the meaning of lyrics – they are to you whatever you perceive them to be [laughs].

Why has it taken you so long to revive it live? Did you want to leave it behind for a while?

Yeah, it all became a bit much. I wanted to move on and I did. I’ve worked with some really amazing artists recording and producing for them away from the limelight - plus I did a bunch of tracks under different names. The time feels right to embrace it - for one last time, anyway!

Considering it's still one of the biggest-selling songs in Irish chart history, does it still generate a bit of revenue for you today?

Nothing worth mentioning. I can buy an ice cream with the royalties every few months.

What can we expect of your set at Electric Picnic? Is Maniac 2000 one of those 'time and place' blasts of nostalgia?

It’ll be full on '90s club classics. I’m looking for suggestions, so tweet me @markmccabeie. 15 years on, I don’t think it’s time and place – it would appear to be timeless.

You can say that again. Thanks, Mark!