forums : Jungle Scene

Grumpy Old Raver Rant

So this may not be diplomatic or appropriate but whatever.

Today I was chillin' with my girl voicing my quams on the state of the scene and why I have been feeling blah about it. She told me I should post one topic in particular. ... so here goes.

When I got into electronic music it was a budding culture. At least in Seattle it was. Back then I would go to parties and feel that I was a part of something. We felt that it was movement, we were on the brink of something. I felt like we were all a part of something that was bigger then each of our individual parts. Now don't get me wrong I saw MORE then my fair share of bulls**t over the years but I felt that everyone, by giving their own individual talents and love, was working towards a grander goal. Even though we didn't know what was at the end of the tunnel it was better to collectively push our movement along anyways.

Well maybe we have reached the end of the tunnel or maybe the movement I flet was an illusion but I haven't been feeling that way anymore. That hurts my soul. I feel that lately a lot of people have lost sight of the fact that no one of us is better then the whole. Maybe I am a stupid-hippie-ex-e-tard-raver from a small town scene but I know that what I felt was beautuiful and caused me to fall deeply in love with this music. The music that dispite status, money, timeslots, egos or any other negativities binds us together and makes us a family.

I am sure many of you may think this this is all BS and I should go back to the Orion and hug a teletubbie but it is what I feel.

Together we are greater then ourselves.

Re: Grumpy Old Raver Rant

i have to agree with you. its all about pushing together. i think as things get bigger and bigger some peoples heads will grow in size and some people will become selfish (but that happens with anything ya know?) BUT they aint stoppin nuthin' cause things will continue to move forward gurrl! so i say hold on to that feelin you had before cause we all need that and we need you!

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oh yeah i still feel like its a budding culture its just moved onto another stage. we still have a way to go. i feel the unity and excitement, maybe cause im newer but i feel that this music is really going to be something extremely special...

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You're opinion is important, the response to it is not. Mel, forgive the abbr., Have faith in your idea of DnB, It is precious and unmistakable. All respect to those in it for the tunes, I pray this beat will never go away!!!!!!

Re: Grumpy Old Raver Rant

not sure if this is anywhere near topic, but i think the reason the scene doesnt have that spark it used to is simply because most of the people that were into it when it was "magical" now have desk jobs and/or are just jaded in general and theres a new generation out there that doesnt have a proper understanding of dnb or electronic music in general....its just a thing of the times in my opinion....rehashing so to speak, personally i think dnb is getting closer and closer to a mainstream level, in other parts of the world of course, but its presence is known here, for sure.


ok sorry for the drunk and stoned rant :p


[ gambit - 4 Apr 2004 20:26 ]
[ gambit - 4 Apr 2004 03:33 ]

Re: Grumpy Old Raver Rant

I feel ya Mel. I started in the scene at the end of the last century. The scene was exploding and more and more people were getting into it. The word of mouth on upcomming parties was huge. But also lets not forget alot of us were takin pills & doses and whatnot. And why did me, you and so many other people use those drugs? Well because it expanded and intensified the whole experience obvoiusly. Now im not saying we all did that and/or that we needed too. When i got into DnB really hardcore i stopped using all drugs other than herbs and still had a good time. But this scene, like so many things in life, has its ups and downs. and sometimes after u have felt the rush of being on top of that hill and the ride on the way down it almost feels like when you are at the bottom it is such a far journy to get back to the top or maybe it cant even be done again. I temporairly left the scene for a period of about a year and a half maybe 2 years. When i left the scene was in a very uncertain state. The law enforcement had become a big concern and so many parties were gettin shut down. I felt like it was the end or the beggining of the end of the scene. In my opnion the music started to suffer and so did the kids. After commin back from my 2 years absence i see this scene is stronger and almost bigger than ever. Now adays what kinda parties are makin the most amount of money in LA? DnB parties. 4 years ago it was trance. And all of us got stuck in the little corner rooms at events (masterdome) or in the bathroom (fox theatre) Now there are large scale DnB events quite frequently. Anyway. To make a short story long. Sometimes people need to take breaks and when u come back, or while your gone, u will realize what feelings you are missing and what a hole the lack of this music will leave u with.. i dunno that was just my long ass drawn out , up too late , lack of sleep opinion. HAHAH
Much luv hun ((HUGZ))

Re: Grumpy Old Raver Rant

Times like these are just a challenge to see how it is you will conduct yourself . . . will you succumb to defeat ( which is just an illusion because as long as there are events and new tracks then really what more do we need?? We know why we love it!!!! And I have a feeling that LA's about to show the rest of the drum and bass community worldwide how good it can get when we do all come together ), or will you still keep believing???


I just try to have a good time regardless of what the f**k anyone else is projecting though it does make a difference because vibes are contagious (that's why we love good MCs) *but don't really HAVE to try, just DO because the quality of music is so readily available*, enjoy the vibes, ride the vibrations of all the good tunes that I hear when I am out (like Craze dropping the remixes of a coupla older cutz ), oh yeah and get my drink on always helps a little, and more than anything do what I can perpetuate a state of mind that I want to receive in return for my simple music appreciation. I try to be fearless instead of afraid that someone might actually teach me something new (check ALLL egos at the door because we all have plenty to learn from one another but we forget sometimes). Not to lay down a judgement but here goes . . . too many people are projecting fear, hate, jealousy, rage, and insecurities when they are out rather than just focusing on their own enjoyment, the only thing we can control. And that's what we become susceptible to when sharing space.

And the size of Seattle allowed the scene to be that much more intimate and plugged in on a local level. I will never forget free outdoor parties in the mountains and f**king Naf was disgustingly beautiful too.

Maybe all the PLUR heads in LA are at Spundae sucking on their blowpops . . .?

[ diyosa - 4 Apr 2004 05:38 ]

Re: Grumpy Old Raver Rant

Well scenes die and are reborn. Most of the time punters kill off a good community. Weather it`s druggies or money and glory hungry dj and promoters.

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somebody wake me when shes done.....

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^^^^^exactly the kind of comment I was expecting

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doode... p.l.u.r.____________
:::smokes a joint:::


oh and happy 4:20

Re: Grumpy Old Raver Rant

dude shut the f**k up. Someone's talking about positivity here and changing things for the good. Your and your ignorant comments can stay the f**k out.

**********
According to dirtydonhatesu ...

somebody wake me when shes done.....
**********

Re: Grumpy Old Raver Rant

Mel i couldn't agree with you more. You definately said it better than i ever could... There was definately a feeling that we were involved with something great. Something that inspired people to give their best. Weather it was in the form of Dj'ing, dancing, throwing parties, flyer design or even making our own costumes everyones creative side was at it's best. People spent all week preparing for the next party, giving back to the community. This still happens, that community vibe is not lost forever. I still feel it when I attend moontribe events. The passion is still there under the full moon. I'm sure there are other small sects left in the scene that give it their all... i just don't know where. Would be nice tho if we were all one again.

Re: Grumpy Old Raver Rant

I, more then many people, understand that things change and can never go back. I also understand as a market, drum and bass music has become not only a movement but an industry. Within and industry people have to make money otherwise we wouldn't have records to buy, Dj's to listen to, MC's to talk s**t on, or parties to go to. Even on a micro level you wouldn't have flyers to look at because even the printers need to make money. However I know that not every industry needs to be ruined by money. Most will but it doesn't HAVE to happen theoretically. We can all make money without it being some dog eat dog, "lemme stand on your shoulders", "stab you in the back with a dubplate because being top dog is what I'm about" environment.

I think I am also overanalizing but that is just the vibe I get sometimes. Not all the time but sometimes. On that note I am also not saying that I am not guilty of negativity myself. And for the record this post has absolutely nothing to do with drugs but yes Vandal I see your point.

Maybe this is all ideology and you may want me to "wake you up now" so you can go back to more important posts like "I spent more time at Bassrush talking s**t about the MC then listening to the music" but if you read this long at least you thought about it.

Re: Grumpy Old Raver Rant

the fundamental premise of such a thread is passion. any collective such as ours, shares an intense passion and sentiment that is invested into the medium and method. i think when this reverence for creativity becomes influenced by forces like greed, competition and jealousy, the inital energy of and impact the art diminishes. apathy/jadedness starts to manifest itself within the ranks. this is in no way implicit that any one of these factors are the motivating force of this thread. i truly feel that once people realize the potential detriment to one of our greatest gifts [music], they do tend to find themselves more jaded, if not downright bitter. (not you, mel- im just saying)...

ultimately i think the only thing that can overcome is a shift in perspective. when we focus on the flaws and annoyances of whatever variable, they become vastly more prevalent. yeah, it sucks that people are shady and that we'll continue to encounter them in any walk of life but by directing the energyto the people that create, contribute and support rather than those who hate and destroy, we'll realize that hey, we're actually rather lucky (all things considered).

*hugs a tree*

Re: Grumpy Old Raver Rant

Ya i wasnt even trying to make my post about drugs at all. I was just up too late and thats how it came out. But you know what we can all sit here and say how much it sux or we can work towards a change. Im not saying you're not doin anything Mel cuz i know your luv for the music is real. You offered your help to me on many occasions and for no other reasons then to help out a club/party. You didnt want anything you just wanted to see a change or something new happen. Well i promise you this. The things that I, and a few other people in the scene have in the works right now are gonna change thigns around here. This whole ellitism thing has to be done away with. I member when i actually did hang out in trance rooms for more than just walkin through to the DnB room. And the feelin of unity all those kids have. Yes it was induced by a drug, and yes it probably faded the next day. But while they were there it was so real you could feel it. I member DnB rooms having that same vibe. It wasnt who you know, or how ocl you are. It was the moment, that feeling when u heard a track that just echoed though every inch of your being. Having no choice but to move your ass. Smiling because you see other people smiling and having a good time. In my opinion its the lack of unity and feeling that u are part of something unique and special. I guess im just reverberating some sentiments that you expressed earlier. I do however believe we are all guilty, at least in a small way of purpetuating the elitism of this scene. Hating on raver kids when they come up to you all f**ked up tellin you how much they liked your set. And all you can think of is how they are just a dumb raver kid on drugs. I personally have a bit of a problem with that. I lose site of the fact that hey, this kid liked my music and my style enuff to talk to me personally about it. That should be an ego boost instead of making you angry or talkin s**t in your head about the kid. Anyway all i can say is I, for one, am gonna do something about that. And i am also gonna change some things around this scene. Im not the only one who feels this way, there are many people like us. The more people who feel like this and the more people who actually do something about it the quicker it will change and get better. Ok enuff of my rant.. Melissa ? Rebuttal ?

Re: Grumpy Old Raver Rant

Word

Yeah I guess this indirectly is my way of hopefully spawning some change. Or at least addressing the issue.

Re: Grumpy Old Raver Rant

Emmanoir, I like where you took this thread and I believe this awareness to be of high importance. Revolutionary in fact, but a lot of people aren't ready to accept it as such.

Yeah, people are shady and I often find myself disappointed in folks for their inability to see just what the f**k it is they are putting out into the universe, but perhaps let's change that perspective and say people just need guidance. It's the responsibility on ALL of us as a collective group who share a passion and must assume the face of social responsibility, whatever that may mean to you.

That purity still exists whether or not it is immediately in front of our faces. Maybe now it is just in the form and guise of discontent and uncertainty as to where the fate of a culture is headed.

[ diyosa - 5 Apr 2004 00:28 ]

Re: Grumpy Old Raver Rant

**********
According to jayvon ...

oh yeah i still feel like its a budding culture its just moved onto another stage. we still have a way to go. i feel the unity and excitement, maybe cause im newer but i feel that this music is really going to be something extremely special...
**********
Exactly how I feel.

Re: Grumpy Old Raver Rant

lol......

Re: Grumpy Old Raver Rant

interesting point Mel.

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*sighs* ....hummm. and I thought I was the only one who felt that way...

Re: Grumpy Old Raver Rant

LA DNB is going to be cleaned up VERY SOON. theres alot of s**t that needs to change. The elite attitude is SUPER GAY. Make moves not noise. Theres alot of fake smiles and fronting going on.

like i always say....

LETS KEEP IT MUSIC. the whole elite attitude is a joke.

Re: Grumpy Old Raver Rant

This kindof sums it up for me...

"Its really quite difficult to appreciate the drum'n'bass sound without stepping away from it at times."

-DJ Die
------------------

Drum&Bass takes up about 7 percent of what I listen to these days. And when I do find myself sifting thru my endless pile of old, tattered (usually LA-based) dj mixes- I don't leave my apartment for hours- dancing and fidgeting like half-a-skitso.

Its nice living in the bay area, the scene here has become quite small and seeing people dance and smile without worry of their chinstrap burberry kangol falling off is what I'm all about right now.

I found an old vibeflow Melicious mix under my seat the other day, had to get jiggy to that for a bit. Put some cream cheese on it!

Re: Grumpy Old Raver Rant

I think location has a lot to do with it.

I had the opportunity to see L.A. in the mid 90's...then Seattle for a couple years before the mellinnium ....then back to L.A. for the last 4 years & I definitely think location has a lot to do with the mindset of the partygoers.

L.A. is definitely in a lull but I do think it'll bounce back within a year or 2. hopefully.