NERO (aka NERO UK) first joined formation Records in the summer of 2004. Over the last couple of years Dan and Joe's tracks have been causing quite a stir in the drum and bass scene, gaining huge airplay support from top radio DJs such as Zane Lowe, Jo Whiley, Steve Lamacq, Pete Tong, Rob Da Bank and frequently from Fabio & Grooverider (all from radio one) as well as Hype on Kiss FM.

In June 2006 NERO released their acclaimed EP, «Requiem EP» (on Formation Records). The EP featured four tracks, Requiem, Bitch I'm Gone, Autopsy and Bad For the Brain. Autopsy recieved extensive play on radio 1 with Jo Whiley playing it on her primetime weekday show. High contrast included Bitch I'm Gone in his mix for the legendary Fabric Live series, Fabric Live 25

In 2007 Dan and Joe decided they wanted to launch their own label, PUNCHY RECORDINGS. They approached the project with the view that songs on the label should not only be big dancefloor tunes, but also be easily listenable to in a home environment, and accessible to d&b and non‑d&b heads alike.