The Demoscene is a subculture of computer enthusiasts who create and share digital works of art, such as demos and music. Among the numerous groups that emerged during the heyday of the scene, Slipstream is one many influential and long-lived British groups, with a history that spans several decades.

Slipstream was founded in the late 1980s by Marc, a talented coder who had already gained some reputation in the Demoscene. The group’s initial focus was on the Commodore Amiga, a popular home computer that was widely used for creative endeavors due to its advanced graphics and sound capabilities.

Marc recruited a small but dedicated team of coders, artists and musicians, including 4-Mat, Dan and Havoc. Together, they produced a series of impressive demos, intros and music disks that showcased their skills and creativity. The group quickly gained a following and became known for their high-quality, and often entertaining releases.

In addition to their digital creations, Slipstream also maintained multiple BBSs (Bulletin Board Systems) that served as hubs for the Demoscene community. These BBSs allowed users to upload and download demos, exchange messages, and participate in online discussions. Slipstream’s BBSs were among the most popular and active in the scene, and they helped to foster a sense of community and camaraderie among Demoscene enthusiasts.

In 1990, Slipstream organised the famous Slipstream Summer Conference, a gathering of Demosceners from all over Europe that took place in Bournemouth, England. The conference was a huge success, with many attendees and numerous demos and competitions. It helped to cement Slipstream’s reputation as one of the leading groups in the scene and inspired many other groups to organise similar events.

However, like many Demoscene groups, Slipstream faced internal tensions and creative differences. In 1994, the original group disbanded, with several members forming new groups such as TFC (The Foul Critters). Despite this, TCM, a musician who had joined Slipstream in 1992, held on to the Slipstream name and continued to be active in the scene throughout the 1990s. He often tried to recruit new members and revive the group, but it was not until 2013 that his efforts bore fruit.

In 2013, with the help of an original SLP Amiga coder (The Joker), TCM reformed Slipstream. Synesthesia later joined and helped kickstart the group by welcoming new like-minded members to the team. This set the group on the current trajectory of friendship, support and demoscene outreach. Over time, the group also expanded to cover additional platforms including the CPC, ZX, C64, Dragon and PC, including many cooperative releases with other groups.

Today, Slipstream continues to be an active and influential presence in the Demoscene, with a diverse and talented group of members from all over the world. They have released numerous demos, intros, music disks and other digital works of art that showcase their skills and creativity. They also maintain an active online presence, with a website and social media accounts.

Overall, Slipstream’s history is a testament to the creativity, dedication and camaraderie of the Demoscene community. Despite facing numerous challenges and changes over the years, Slipstream has managed to stay true to its roots and remain an important and respected group in the scene.

Current members include RaccoonViolet, Mrs Beanbag, Aldroid, TöBach, Ando, Crypt, Estrellasadie, Deathboy, MegMeg, Nico and TCM.