thank you i feel like rethinking my scene and what we are doing.
lovin all,
ttom

Ditto G. I was there........ "in the beginning there was ....." The music was the drug. Most of us Ravers were in our 20 / 30s but by 1993 my scene began to be replaced with 16 year olds (?) bragging they were on 5 hits of E and littering the dancefloor in piles of human spaghetti. It was an insult, a grotesque characture of what Raves really were. I wonder if any of them actually got it - that people looked at them with pitty, and probably disgust.

I also remember "non - formula" music. DJs would ( AND COULD) mix multiple styles and that was what was so fascinating. I can't tell how many times I stopped dead on the dancefloor and said "Oh WOW! - he's mixing that into THAT?? Friggin' amazing !!!" Ha ! Meat Beat Manifesto into Mystic Sister into Orb into Orbital AND throw in samples from Capricorn. The whole purpose was to create a completely NEW song by mixing two OTHERS. (Read that line again you current DJs). That's real mixing. That was the talent. I've heard the current "rave" music. One of the demos I listened to was from highly touted current DJ. His mixing was - waiting for the formula "break down" and flipping the fader to the down bass on the next tune. I nearly spit up my coffee when I heard that genius. Was like a monkey with turrets.

Oh and lest we forget the "Community". It really was a family.

Sad to say the raves in 1994 and beyond compared to the real deal is like sniffing a picture of a flower and pretending you can smell roses. Unless you were there, you weren't "there". Doesn't matter how many Es you take, how many Elmo back packs you own or how bright your day-glo pig tails glow in the dark..............because ............raving was never about that.

I hate sounding like a "jaded raver" but things are sooo not like they used to be. It seems that many have lost the true meaning of the rave. They've become lazy and apathetic. My heavens there is so much I can say on this. But overall, it comes down to the fact that today's ravers no longer see raving as a lifestyle but more of a past-time. Rather than something they live, it's something they do to pass thier weekends. The values and life lessons learned at the party are fogotten when Monday comes and miraculously present on Friday night.

The many nights, days and long long weekends that I've sat around thinking, talking, listening and reading about our lives (the rave)! Thankfully before I arrived at the for front of the rave scene, (1991 was my first rave...1988 was the first time I heard about electronic music and large parties in England), I was welcome into the world of the Grateful Dead. A community of people who for many years had to deal with many of the problems the early rave scene had to deal with if not even more.

The early rave community was full of many young individuals, including myself at 19 and who at that age (teenagers) wanted to listen to what other people thought would help. Yes some did and I did but most wouldn't have it! And I'm sorry to say I bet that "most" will not listen to G. or others. The few who do are the ones who will struggle providing a good, safe and fun atmosphere. Not for money, not for drugs and not for popularity, but because they want to enjoy it this way!

People have to learn lessons themselves, so they say. I've learned a lot on my own but have learned that listening to others experiences has helped me to head caution.

Such as never over do it, drink water, oj and make sure friends are aware of where friends are. Today it's different, but back then it was for safety from cops/undercover and freakouts. Today you shouldn't go alone to the bathroom or a walk and if a friend wants to be left alone then a friend should stick close by watching such friend, many people these days take advantage of young people who are on drugs and police should be less trusted also. However if your sober it doesn't mean you shouldn't take these into consideration. Anyway! I've fallen of subject.

"I was there when it all began, these days Im not impressed." G. states!! Simply put I'm not impressed with what we as elders ravers have left behind us. And it upsets me when I hear blame put on these new ravers that it's their fault. As long as society claims the rave to be a problem then it allows for problem makers to run amok. If your not impressed these days then I say get in their and make an impression a positive impression.

I like to say this when I speak on this forum or talk with people about the rave scene!
"when something becomes your life, life happens"

Happiness, sadness, births, deaths, success, failures, love, breakups, marriage, divorce, etc.......LIFE, you know! I don't know maybe I'm left crazy in the head but I hope not!

And to G. not sure if you have given the Dead a listen...a song...called Deal by the Grateful Dead makes me think maybe you should write that book you mention! And for others a lesson in the words..

Deal

Since it cost a lot to win
and even more to lose
You and me bound to spend some time
wondering what to choose

Goes to show you don't ever know
Watch each card you play
and play it slow
Wait until your deal come round
Don't you let that deal go down

I been gambling here abouts
for ten good solid years
If I told you all that went down
it would burn off both your ears

It goes to show you don't ever know
Watch each card you play
and play it slow
Wait until your deal come round
Don't you let that deal go down

Since you poured the wine for me
and tightened up my shoes
I hate to leave you sitting there
composing lonesome blues

It goes to show you don't ever know
Watch each card you play
and play it slow
Wait until your deal come round
Don't you let that deal go down
Don't you let that deal go down, no
Don't you let your deal go down

Peace
WallsStudio

amen!