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ToTheSummit
peregrinus
Registered: 08/22/99
Posts: 9,126
Loc: Las Vegas
Last seen: 8 days, 16 hours
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My thoughts on raves...
#2112120 - 11/16/03 04:32 PM (20 years, 5 months ago) |
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I know many shroomerites are into raves. I was reading another post about raves and I started thinking about how long its been since I quit going to them. Can't believe its been so long!
I did most of my raving over 10 years ago. It was back in the early days of the scene when most people had never even heard of a rave or heard any techno music for that matter. There were no kids with glow-sticks then and I had never heard anyone use the term 'PLUR'. It was just gatherings of like minded people who enjoyed dancing the night away at underground get-togethers that were more often than not broken up by the cops. Just loud music, trippy settings, and lots of drugs for those who were so inclined and knew how to find the rave.
The last even halfway decent rave I went to was in '95. And even by that time the scene had been polluted by too much publicity and all these people who wanted to mold the scene into something that they felt it should be. In the beginning it seemed to me that raves were a place where the were no expectations on anyone and all who were there could express themselves in any way they saw fit. Now raves are just another fad with its own styles of clothing that can be purchased at any retail outlet.
Its very similar to what happened to the punck rock scene in the mid 80s. In the beginning it was nice to be a part of something different but it was all spoiled when it became fashionable. As soon as it was 'cool' to wear a Sex Pistols t-shirt and a mowhawk I could no longer see the point in doing it. And punk bands started playing in large theaters instead of sweaty warehouses. For me the magic had been drained out by the commercialization of it. And although I still loved the music I moved away from the scene.
This is the same thing that happened to the rave scene for me. I still love the music but the magic of those first raves I atteneded in '91 is gone. I'm glad I was there at the time and could be a part of it but for me its a time in history that will not be repeated. Now that I am an 'old married guy' I'm sure there is something happening out there in the world that I am unaware of. Somewhere the next generation is making its own statements about individuality in some underground scene. And until it becomes commercialized I will probably never even know of its existence. Such is the way of things...
-------------------- You invented the wheel....You push the motherfucker!!
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RunDMT
H?L? GH??
Registered: 07/21/03
Posts: 16,166
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Re: My thoughts on raves... [Re: ToTheSummit]
#2112125 - 11/16/03 04:35 PM (20 years, 5 months ago) |
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Quote:
ToTheSummit said: I did most of my raving over 10 years ago. It was back in the early days of the scene when most people had never even heard of a rave or heard any techno music for that matter. There were no kids with glow-sticks then and I had never heard anyone use the term 'PLUR'. It was just gatherings of like minded people who enjoyed dancing the night away at underground get-togethers that were more often than not broken up by the cops. Just loud music, trippy settings, and lots of drugs for those who were so inclined and knew how to find the rave.
That's what the actual scene is up here in Scandinavia, or rather what it has evolved in to after spawning the progressive and minimalistic sub genres. Those silly bubblegum chewing, glow stick holding, bright clothing wearing little things are quite frowned upon and usually stick to the clubs. We take it easy on our events, usually held far out into the woods. I love it more than ever.
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Prodijal_Son
slowmaster
Registered: 07/20/02
Posts: 1,573
Loc: derby city
Last seen: 15 years, 1 month
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Re: My thoughts on raves... [Re: RunDMT]
#2112350 - 11/16/03 06:05 PM (20 years, 5 months ago) |
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__________________________________ For me the magic had been drained out by the commercialization of it __________________________________
That's what I felt like at Bonnaroo.
-------------------- The times are good. The living is easy. The vibes are zingy.
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Kid_Orgo
Registered: 09/24/03
Posts: 5,514
Loc: Hale-Bopp
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Re: My thoughts on raves... [Re: RunDMT]
#2112634 - 11/16/03 07:23 PM (20 years, 5 months ago) |
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Remind me to visit Sweden or Norway some time.
I love black metal, and catching a good forest dance gathering would on a spare weekend would only add to the joy.
-------------------- He was a cowboy in one of the seven days a week fights. No business, no hangout; no friends, nothing; just what you pick up and what you need.
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djfrog
omgws!!!1!
Registered: 10/22/00
Posts: 3,710
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Re: My thoughts on raves... [Re: ToTheSummit]
#2113074 - 11/16/03 08:56 PM (20 years, 5 months ago) |
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I've been going to a number of after-hour parties. I think there are still good scenes out there. Every scene has its scenesters but I don't think its as bad as some people say. Big commercial raves aren't that great though. I never know the bigname performers and the crowd tends to be less intimate and danceable. 50-70 people is a properly sized party in my opinion.
Raggae, Psy-trance, breaks, you never know what you might find. I can't wait for the weekends these days.
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mushroomspoon
out of gas
Registered: 06/30/03
Posts: 241
Loc: in a jar of blue honey
Last seen: 17 years, 11 months
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Re: My thoughts on raves... [Re: ToTheSummit]
#2113429 - 11/16/03 10:02 PM (20 years, 5 months ago) |
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The whole commercial aspect of the rave scene has kinda played itself out in the Detroit area at least. I cant speak for the rest of the country but things are going back underground in Michigan. I went to a party two Saturdays ago and I hadn't felt a vibe like that in years. Personally though I have nothing against the candy kids and glow stick ninjas because those are the people that actually are carrying the good feelings now opposed to the jaded old schoolers that just want to talk shit and bitch about everything instead of doing anything remotely productive in reviving the scene. As long as glow sticks arnt smacking into my head and everyones having an awesome time and dancing their sacs off then its all good.
-------------------- ----------- herbs are fun
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Xochitl
synchronicitycircuit
Registered: 07/15/03
Posts: 1,241
Loc: the brainforest
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Yes, the rave boom that hit North America in the late 1990s is pretty much over except for a few cities where "rave" is still novel. But, have no fear, there is plenty of scenes that are bubbling in the underground - as there always has been. Essential reading: Rave is Dead
-------------------- As we know, there are known knowns. There are things we know we know. We also know there are known unknowns. That is to say we know there are some things we do not know. But there are also unknown unknowns, the ones we don't know we don't know. -Donald Rumsfeld 2/2/02 Pentagon
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LikwidDrawp
Dance EnergyConjuror
Registered: 07/10/03
Posts: 873
Last seen: 5 years, 9 months
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Re: My thoughts on raves... [Re: Xochitl]
#2114673 - 11/17/03 03:13 AM (20 years, 5 months ago) |
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plenty of raves to go around here.
rave, anyone? i love to rave. i always will... and no matter what the people around me think i will dance my ass off, and pretend that they dont judge me well enough to where i actually believe it, and truly no longer give a fuck. There are plenty of individualized people at parties, infact its one of the most diverse environments i've ever stepped into.
sure, there are clicky fuckers still around, but they arent a part of it, they are just there. the scene as of late is reviving itself, quite strongly too.
--------------------
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RunDMT
H?L? GH??
Registered: 07/21/03
Posts: 16,166
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Re: My thoughts on raves... [Re: Kid_Orgo]
#2114690 - 11/17/03 03:19 AM (20 years, 5 months ago) |
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Quote:
Kid_Orgo said: Remind me to visit Sweden or Norway some time.
I love black metal, and catching a good forest dance gathering would on a spare weekend would only add to the joy.
Hit me up if you do. I'll give you a guided tour.
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DoctorJ
Registered: 06/30/03
Posts: 8,846
Loc: space
Last seen: 1 year, 5 months
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Re: My thoughts on raves... [Re: RunDMT]
#2116765 - 11/17/03 01:47 PM (20 years, 5 months ago) |
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do not confuse fake raves with real ones! AT A REAL RAVE: the drugs are for free, not for sale (at the very least, drugs are extremely cheap) half the people are bouncing off the walls and the other half are stuck to the walls. the only thing the bar serves is water, soda, OJ, and Red Bull everyone has a smile on their face if you make eye contact with someone, you'll probably end up talking to them the "venue" is either an abandoned warehouse or a commandeered field out in BFE. (Clubs are not raves, no matter who pays to rent them out for the night) every style of dress is accepted; differences in style are celebrated rather than judged. people leave their hangups, stresses, and bullshit dramas at the door. the DJ plays universally GOOD records, and doesn't conform to the latest fad or whatever the clubs are playing it's not unlikely trip over two people making love if you go too far away from the center of action. even if you don't know anyone there, by the end of the night you'll know everyone. there is no music being played that sounds even remotely like disco attendees have an average IQ of 130+ (much like the Shroomery!) It is not uncommon to get into conversations with total strangers about topics as eclectic as philosophy, physics, anthropology, music theory, etc... It is not uncommon to see huge circles of people giving eachother back massages or sharing drugs. People actually KNOW how to dance, rhyme, and make music and often become a part of the show themselves. if you see a cop, he's either there to bust the place, or lookin for a bribe Anyway, thats the kind of party I remember and yet never see anymore
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Muppet
Nomadic Jester
Registered: 08/14/02
Posts: 28,785
Loc: (523) 327-2836
Last seen: 13 years, 2 months
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Re: My thoughts on raves... [Re: ToTheSummit]
#2116783 - 11/17/03 01:53 PM (20 years, 5 months ago) |
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I got into the rave scene a little while back, just before the whole thing became commercialized (in my area anyway) So being on the cusp like that, I had the chance to see a little of both worlds - old and new. In the beginning it was underground parties (which we usually didn't even label as 'raves') typically consiting of a couple hundred people or so...usually out in the desert...and there was always a large variety of every sort of person you could imagine from the middle-aged people that lived through the hippie movement back in the 60s right down to new-aged punks like myself that were just gettin their feet wet in the techno scene. Alot of the time there was just one main stage with music playin, and a bunch of people on the outskirts with drums and shit like that, making their own music with their own little circles of friends. And another big thing we also had a lot of was fire dancing...cause obviously it got cold at night and we always had bomfires an shit going, so people we constantly pullin cinders an shit outta the fire and making crazy ass patterns with em - it was bad as fuck. What was the best part about it though, was the connection that everyone shared...everyone knew everyone else - it was like we were all one big happy family...it was fucken great.
Eventually though, too many people started getting involved and the parties started getting out of control...the cops would start showing up at the very beginning and start breakin shit up before we even had a chance to get set up, and before too long the people that were organizing these things just stopped doing it - apparently it wasn't worth the hassle.
And that's about the time when actual 'raves' started showing up...persumably being conducted by the same people that used to frequent the desert parties before they got shut down. In the beginning, the rave scene was made up of most of the same people, and there was still quite a bit of the same closeness we shared before. We still upheld many of the same traditions that we loved so much about the other scene - traditions that were apparently passed down from the hippie generatiuons that came before (like friendship beads for instance) and the drugs of choice were still for the most part ecstacy, marijuana, LSD, and shrooms. We still had areas of the rave that were set aside for rubbing circles, and group discussions, and all that other fun stuff that help make the scene what it was...and for the most part - the only thing that actually changed was the place we were meeting (and I suppose, the fact that we were gradually attracting more and more people as our little shindings caught the public's eye)
The days of the candy kids came and went, and after them was an entire flood of K-ed out zombies that fucked like rabbits on the sidelines. This was followed by an entire generation of little fucken kids as people began being more laxidated on the age limits. Within a few years time it got to the point where there were constantly several different raves going on any given weekend, and it wasn't uncommon to see thousands of people at any one of em (I think 3 or 4 thousand was pretty average - with a thou or so at the smaller ones, and a good 8 or 9 thou at the massives) The entire scene became absolutely saturated with immature crazy lookin children that were only there cause they wanted to get fucked up. The love and compassion had been squashed out of existance, and replaced with cold hard feelings of rebelion and lust. The free thinking, mind expanding, interconnected feelings of the past had all but whithered away...and all that was left were thousands of mindless drones that were simply going through the motions without even knowing why they were there, or what it was that kept them commin back - it's like they knew that they were a part of something, and that's all they cared about (apparently no one wanted to re-discover what it was they were a part of in the first place...they were all perfectly content just being a sheep)
And I know I sound like one of them old fuddy-duddy types that's just bitchin about how kids these days are getting worse an worse, and all of that (which, I dunno, maybe I am) but all I'm trying to say is that there was a time when there was meaning to all of this - and it was so much more then simply expressing yourself, or spreading your wings, or being a part of something that's gonna be talked about well into the future (the same way we look back at the whole hippie revolution) at one point in time it was about bonding with your fellow man and truely knowing that we're all in this crazy mess together, and that there really is no damn reason we shouldn't be able to get along regardless how different we may appear on the surface. I feel honored to have seen that aspect of the scene before it died out...and I hope that many of you here will have the opportunity to have that sort of an experience at some point in your life. Cause I really do feel sorry for anyone who has only see the darker more robotic side of the rave scene...cause I know just how much they missed out on.
-------------------- Ravings of a Madman
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DoctorJ
Registered: 06/30/03
Posts: 8,846
Loc: space
Last seen: 1 year, 5 months
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Re: My thoughts on raves... [Re: Muppet]
#2116831 - 11/17/03 02:08 PM (20 years, 5 months ago) |
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kosmic_charlie
Truckin' in style
Registered: 03/18/01
Posts: 5,203
Loc: Deep Elem
Last seen: 3 months, 12 days
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Re: My thoughts on raves... [Re: DoctorJ]
#2117293 - 11/17/03 03:55 PM (20 years, 5 months ago) |
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DocotrJ I like your list of what makes a real rave. I came onto the scene pretty late ('99) but I feel that I just caught the tail end of what it used to be like. I had some very profound spiritual expereinces at many of these earliest raves that I attended. I also started really apppreciating electronic music, specifically techno. The scene has changed a lot just in recent years. Now they don't even really happen any more in my area. Everything has moved into clubs and a lot of that magic just isn't there any more. Most people just get drunk now, which doesn't allow them to connect to the music really and it's a lot harder to find decent DJs that play the mind melting techno/ acid house that I have come to enjoy. Cheesy house, blech.
-------------------- Goin' where the water tastes like wine.
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Bhairabas
Stranger
Registered: 07/21/03
Posts: 889
Loc: Toronto Canada
Last seen: 18 years, 2 months
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The rave scene if you still want to call it tht has literally split in two here.. It seemed people just got tired of the general shittyness of the commercial party's so we broke off and created what we call the psychedelic scene for lack of a cool trendy name.. These party's are just as good as old school party's in my oppinion.. After going to these party's I doon't look at raves the same way anymore.. It seems people at raves are all stuck in the past while the rest of us are moving on to the future..
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orizon
shroomin bliss
Registered: 08/22/03
Posts: 876
Last seen: 19 years, 1 month
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Re: My thoughts on raves... [Re: DoctorJ]
#2117573 - 11/17/03 05:11 PM (20 years, 5 months ago) |
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I would like to rebutle some of the statements above. First off..im 20 and only been in the scene for 4 years. Ever since my first rave-festival, I have been hooked and I kind of considered it my calling. I went with some seniors when I was a sophomore and after I experienced the culture/music and showed it to my friends, everybody pretty much followed in my path. First of all, events becoming commercialized is just a part of a music scene becoming introduced--appealing and growing popular to society. I cannot complain that raves being moved from a warehouse to festival grouds-parks-rented warehouses or clubs becuase that's a part of accepting that this culture is growing. Particualar Clothing being produced that represents or appeals to "rave" going individuals is a part of a culture as well. Punk moved from the garages to mainstream---rap moved from the ghetto to mainstages......The only problem with the rave scene is the growth is slowed down and clouded by all the heat and false publicity it gets from the media of being "havens for drug dealers to safely and affectively deliver drugs to children" What causes this? innexperienced idiots who take more then they can handle or just take something that they havent ID'ed properly and being hospitalized. IF that person is the child of a senator, then we got shit like the R.A.V.E. act comin in (Reducing American aVailaiblity to Esctasy_ catchy huh. . What this says is anybody who is throwing an uncommercialized event who knows drugs are available at there party will face jail time and a 25-20 thousand dollar fine along with a generic "raid" at the very least. So who is gonna take the risk of throwing a party where they can face such extreme consequences? Well most answer like this...Everybody just Splits!!! Yea will in that case any decorations-lighting-sound system or staging put into the show is just confiscated. In lue of this, all underground raves will not support thousand dollar intellectual professional visuals and no good talent is going to accept an offer in playing in fear that all of there equipment (records-laptops-keyboards) will get taken away. You may avoid cops at the underground raves that still exsist, but if it gets raided, you are fucked. Most of the things people hide from at underground raves are proetected by civil rights anyways. Anybody who is not smart eneouph to sneak drugs past the half ass check at the door is not smart eneouph to be experimenting with such substanes. 65% of people that go to raves go for the music and are sober...30% go for the music but like to experiemnt and are fucked up...5% are rebellious kids lookin for a good place to get fucked up or find a place that substances to get fucked up on and can give a shit about the culture. That five percent is what ruins it. Those cops at the front doors are just looking for somebdoy stupid eneouph to try and sneak in with a bagpack full of beans. Drugs at Raves is kind of like popcorn at the movies. Not necessary, but it adds to the "movie experience" however I just dont go for the snacks!!!. Analogetically, If somebody asks you if the movie is good and you say "NO" because I didnt get popcorn, then you are most likely not at raves for the music. DocotorJ if "half the people are bouncing off the walls and the other half are stuck to the walls." then the music is gonna sound good no matter what the DJ is spinning. And when you receive free drugs, epecially expensive ones like X, there is always somebody losing on the other side. Getting a free pill is not like hittin a joint from a fellow partier. People givin away free pills are probally just too delerious and happy to give a fuck and will regret it the next morning. I love this music....There are some excellent musicians out there that see the potential in electronica as I do. Hybrid-Spacemen-Crystal Method-Chemical brothers-Paul van Dyke...the list goes on, My CD case is now over 90% electronica. I dont know how the scene is where you guys are, but down here in florida, despite the bad wrap we are still growing. I like it when I hear my musicians start to make it to the radio and there artwork popping up at Besy Buy and Walmart. Some of the club-events I go are 500+ people and even better the festival ones with vendors and lighting (Ultra-Zen_cyberfest) that house 50,000 people and is a KICK ass party. Some still take place at warehouses, but the warehouse is rented out from the owner and good talent-live shows come and the costumes-lighting is amazing with thousands in attendance. We get no heat besides a quick check at the door and we are not paranoid from a raid. It's still growing and you can grumble with some aspects but I see some compalining for the wrong reasons here.
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Earth_Droid
Stranger
Registered: 04/19/02
Posts: 5,240
Last seen: 17 years, 8 months
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Re: My thoughts on raves... [Re: orizon]
#2117581 - 11/17/03 05:13 PM (20 years, 5 months ago) |
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I can't wait to go to the new years rave. That will be the first time in a long time that I will venture into E land!!!!
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oDin
Registered: 08/12/99
Posts: 5,789
Last seen: 10 years, 9 months
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Re: My thoughts on raves... [Re: Earth_Droid]
#2118303 - 11/17/03 08:53 PM (20 years, 5 months ago) |
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i have always had a great time at raves. but i think the last one i went too most of the people there thought i was a cop. it didnt feel too ravey either. i dunno i didnt go to my 1st rave until i was 34 years old, but everyone there was all cool and its was one of my favorite life experiences. anymore however its usually a small tight group of people that listen to tunes, play with pretty things and invent more cool things along the way. perhaps when this ideal was labeled as "rave" it become too structered it sounds.
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stonerreakinghavoc
Shroom seeker
Registered: 09/22/03
Posts: 40
Loc: Colorado
Last seen: 20 years, 3 months
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Re: My thoughts on raves... [Re: oDin]
#2118444 - 11/17/03 09:35 PM (20 years, 5 months ago) |
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I have heard about the glory days, unfortunately the media got a hold of it and turned it into something it was never meant to be. I went to my first rave in may of this year, I am already tired of that scene. Seems like everyones the same. AND IF I SEE ONE MORE GLOWSTICK OR ANGEL WINGS I AM GONNA FUCKING PUKE!! PEOPLE ARE NOT ORIGINAL ANYMORE. raves are over rated, wish i was old enough to party "back in the day"
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