Ravers seem to be very forthcoming about admitting the problems in their scene. Techno/Rave was supposed to be the Next Big Thing according to MTV and the music industry, but since last summer (when Prodigy et al. made some waves) not much seems to be happening along the mainstream front.

Except, of course, for when the music shows up in Gap commercials and teasers for news -- one of the local news stations, which would love to do a chop story on raves, has bleeping techno in their sports teasers. That's some irony.

So what's wrong with the scene? Drugs? Cops? Media? New kids? Old ravers? Nothing at all, thank you, just leave me alone?

-- Anonymous, September 01, 1998

Answers

I'll tell you what's wrong, too many raves are getting busted because of what? Drugs, no! Violence, no! How about the poor planning and greed of the promoters. Pack em in, who cares if it gets busted we've made our money right! No refunds! Thanks it's been great doing business.

Things have to change, and fast. To organze a proper, legal event that will leave smileys in the morning you need more than a few kids with their dad's cell phones.

The wind of change is coming...........

-- Anonymous, September 09, 1998

Actually, that brings up an interesting point. Why are raves so damned expensive? I mean, I can go out to see a good band at the Cat's Cradle in Chapel Hill for $5. That's two to four hours of entertainment, right? Granted, raves last longer, but are they really worth three to six times the price of a band?

Seriously -- raves typically have bigger crowds than indie rock bands. (Or at least many of them do, especially the more expensive ones.) Promoters don't have to pay for a band's worth of people, just a deejay. (Granted, they have to pay for more than one or two, unlike clubs.) I guess there's lights to pay for, plus the lack of alcohol receipts, but does that really all add up to needing to make an average rave cost three times an average club night?

-- Anonymous, September 10, 1998

I think that in order to answer this you have to decide what the rave scene should be...I personally would be freakin' overjoyed if I could go somewhere, listen to phat music, and be able to find (and enjoy) the drugs I want without being hassled by the man. However, that's pretty much impossible. I agree that much of the problem is stupid or incomplete planning. Also, there are extreme inconsistencies from party to party as far as stuff like being searched, or charging for water goes - you know, the stupid little shit that makes a big difference when you are there and need something to complain about. Less cops and cheaper prices would be ideal, but do we really think that that is going to happen?

-- Anonymous, September 14, 1998

personally I see nothin wrong with are scene because its what you make of it. I love the great vibe that I get when I go to local partys (instate that is).The people are great here and I dont know what I do with out all of you.... much love and keep the scene ALIVE!!!!!!!!!

-- Anonymous, October 07, 1998

I've only been going to raves since 1995, but I've noticed a drastic difference from the west coast to the central states. The vibe seems to really be dropping in frequency.. possibly due to the fact that people seem to be going to have something to do, rather than enjoy the company of others, sharing in a love for the music. Still, there is no difficulty in stepping away with new friends and smiles.

-- Anonymous, October 13, 1998

First,the problematic issues in the rave scene are the older ravers. I have been going to parties since I was 14, and now I am 18. "Out with the old, and in with the new!" Right? As people get older and more mature they can't party as much because they start to gain responsibility. The older ravers look at the younger new school kids and they give them a horrible attitude because they think it was there world. The reason why the scene is where it is, is because no one will welcome anyone unless they are a friend of that person. A lot the new school kids are herbs at first because they are adapting to the culture but in the long run they really start to think of who they are. Anyway the scene has to change in order to become old school again. So this problem exists on both sides. The old school kids, as well as the new school kids. Second, the media has overrated the scene so much, and made it seem as if it is a big drug party, which that's a slight exaggeration because the true people are the ones who give off the best energy. Whenever people think about ravers, they think "scumbags" which is not true. Third, the cops have overdrawm parties as well. Parties overall need a lot of work in order to become old school again.

-- Anonymous, October 16, 1998

The problem with "the scene"? Well, I'm not sure where to begin. First of all, I'm 27 and have been going to/throwing parties since 1991. It started out as a glorius thing, but has become over-run. First of all, everyone talks about working together to make the scene the best that it can be. Well, Bejamin Franklin once said,"Great talkers, little doers." It is true that we all do need to work together, and that does not mean competeing against each other. In '96, some friends and I were trying to throw a party, but we had another prodution "company" stealing our fliers, telling people that we were going to be shut down, and doing anything they could to bad mouth us. Why? Because we were having a party the same night that they were. These are the same people who are saying that we all need to "work together". It stinks. In the city of Atlanta, where I'm from, it has been like this since the early '90's. Atlanta was supposed to be the next big city to blow up, but it never got there, nor will it ever get there, because of the attitudes like this. PLEASE WORK TOGETHER... it's not all about you, it's about US. Finally, drugs are not helping us. I've done my share, and I'm not preaching what you should or should not do. But I've always kept it in perspective. At one time, it was about going for the MUSIC, and the drugs were there, and that's o.k. Now, it seems to be about going for the drugs, and the music is there, and that's not o.k. Just keep things in perspective! I teach elementary school, am married, have the coolest little boy, and am a very good high school basketball coach (32-6 in two years), and that's all that I've ever wanted. Go out, enjoy yourselves,however you may choose, but PLEASE don't lose perspective. Check out Josh Zebit's response, there are some very good points made. Please feel free to e-mail me with your thoughts. Peace.

-- Anonymous, November 04, 1998

I started an underground newsletter in 1994 called S.ave O.ur S.cene. I would travel up and down the East Coast to "Raves" and hand it out to all the good heads who really understood what was really wrong with " The Scene." Drugs,Greed,&, now hostility are what is wrong with our scene. People loosing sight of why we RAVE its for the Music it's for Eachother its for " The LOVE Of LIFE " To celebrate our existance with and for oneanot

-- Anonymous, December 04, 1998

Hi. I'm a raver from England and I'd thought I'd tell all you non-English ravers what the scene is all about over here. I have been raving since I was 15 (1992). In that time the scene has split up into different areas of dance music. The only true "rave vibe" can be found at huge events such as Helter Skelter and Dream Scape. There are many other rave clubs around the country but those are about the best. In the last few years the vibe has almost died. There isn't the interest there once was but those of us who have remained faithful still enjoy some of the best nights out ever. I have noy long been home after the most recent Helter ske;ter new years eve party. 12,000 ravers all off their mash. I have not been so fucked in all my life. Dancing for around 12 hours to some of the best in techno jungle and happy hard core. If you want some good drug fuelled fun then england is the place to be!!!!!! ALAN TYSON. LANCASTER ENGLAND.

-- Anonymous, January 05, 1999

i can't offer up any sage advice as to "what's wrong with the scene", i've only recently begun my journey into it's depths, but i can offer advice on what HAS happened to the punk/hardcore scene and easily correlate it to what seems to be brewing on the horizon for the rave culture...a great military leader (if there is such a thing) once said "united we stand, divided we fall..." the quote is timeless... what killed the punk scene was division, caused by in-fighting and a childishly mature fear of innovation and change...when a new band would come along that dared to sound different, everyone "in the scene" turns their nose to it because it wasn't "punk" enough... because they sounded different... or looked or acted different... and when new kids would come onto the scene, the "in scene" people mocked their homogeny, laughing at how they all wore baggy pants and all wore the same this or that...the stench of hypocrisy becomes overwhelming at this point, as the "in scene'ers" fail to realize that 1.)they used to be that same kid, and 2.) THEY STILL ARE... the rave scene has all the ingredients to be not only a hellaciously blistering party, but an instrument of revolution, be it politically, socially, musically, chemically...however...we stand on the verge of a new millenium, a time where we will be the leaders...where will be in control...where we can make a change...but we've got to quit blaming everybody else for "what's wrong" with things...nobody but US is responsible in the end...so let's do this right, let's provide opportunities for the rave scene to flourish, and provide opportunities for the unconventional dj or the unconventional dancer... let's quit talking and f#$% it up...

-- Anonymous, January 08, 1999

Sometimes I have my friends over my house and I spin my records for them. Sometimes a friend will ask me if he can spin, usually Ill say. My friends dance when they hear the music. I like to dance with them. What is the difference between a rave and my party? I wish it was nothing. Peace

-- Anonymous, January 13, 1999

Sometimes I have my friends over my house and I spin my records for them. Sometimes a friend will ask me if he can spin, usually Ill say yes. My friends dance when they hear the music. I like to dance with them. What is the difference between a rave and my party? I wish it was nothing. Peace

-- Anonymous, January 13, 1999

Hmmm, whats wrong with the rave scene? Well first of all, I do not consider myself a Raver. I have been involved with the Music since I was 15 and I am now 20. In those five years I have taken many different paths in life. Some of them haveing nothing to do with Techno or Raves at all. Recently I have turned back the Scene to find alot of old friends who are what we in Tampa Call 8-ups. Too many pills I guess. Which really would not be a problem if they would only decide to do something with there Lives. It's like "true" Ravers think they are still 15, 16, and 17 and have no responsibility in Life. Many (of my friends) have kids, or other problems that interfere with them chasing there dreams, which is what I onced thought was the greatest strength of the Rave scene. I guess my main ppoint is, that everybody wants to be somebody, but nobody is willing to pay the price or show rerspect to those who have. Basically, it's not the Rave scene that is having problems, but ALL of Generation X. What we need are some good wholesome artists to bust out and speak there mind about society, not in a disrespectful way, but one that will promote the way of life that Ravers like to live.

DaVinixX, Please E-mail me or Catch me on AOL with the same Name,

Tampa in Da House...................................................

-- Anonymous, April 20, 1999

To be honest here, I have only been to one rave thus far. However my interest in the Rave scene and Techno music has been peaked for quite some time now. From the rave I went to, the image I got from the whole thing was that is was a place to just have fun. If you get high, you get high. If you don't you don't. I myself, choose not to. Never did a drug in my life except alcohol. So people in general there don't give a crap whether you do drugs or not. Again, PLUR was very much in affect that night. So when I hear the media and police getting all hyped due to a Rave going on, I have a true feeling it is thier problem, not Ravers. They fear since people there do get high, that they will go out and harass the rest of society. Which is false. People who are ignorant and closed minded, usually spawn crap about something good. In my mind, ignorance is not bliss, and these folk need to learn that.

Cyalume

-- Anonymous, May 31, 1999

Well, I'm not a party kid, but I've been to a few and I know party kids so I know they're are problems. I know this guy who has been going to raves since he was 14 and he's almost 20 now so he has a pretty good view of the raver timeline, plus he's been to raves in FL, GA, and NC. First off, water shouldn't be so darn expensive, its really nice if its free! I'm not all about drugs, I think if your going to a rave for the drugs (which I have heard of) your an idiot. If your going for the music and happen to take some. . . thats a different story. Cops aren't too cool. Last rave I went to there were cops EVERYWHERE. Cop cars, bike cops, guys who were patrolling, UNDERCOVER cops on bikes in cars!!! They should keep the peace but not ruin the scene. And I totally understand where old school people are coming from especially about the young ravers. . .and I know what people mean when they want to keep it underground, but that kinda isn't right. PLUR. . . well I think its a good idea. The people who want to keep it underground are trying to exclude a lot of people and thats not cool. . . but I don't think it should be commerzialized b/c then it will be completley different scene. It'd be like a club instead of an experience, and all he people who don't know nothing about techno/jungle/etc. music would be there just b/c its the "new thing". That would suck for everyone. Well, thats whats wrong pretty much, but the harder question is how to fix it?

-- Anonymous, September 04, 1999

Since losing one of my long time friends, Ed LeBrun, I have been thinking a lot lately about what exactly is wrong with the "scene" now. I am almost 27 years old and began going to parties about 6 years ago. I cannot desribe the differences there are now compared to then. We all took care of each other as a family. We were there not only because of the music that we all loved, but we were there for and BECAUSE of each other. I do not feel that sense of togetherness at parties anymore and haven't for a long time. Sadly enough, Ed hadn't been able to feel it for a long time either. Everyone is simply out for themselves now- out to make money, do lots of drugs, have lots of sex, or simply be seen in their newest "club" outfit. It is a real shame it has come to this, and an even greater sadness that the man who started it all in NC had to lose his life because of the greed and selfishness which has taken over.

-- Anonymous, September 10, 1999

Ravers don't understand the costs involved in throwing a party. There are the deejays which could cost up $300 for a phat dj and at the least $100 -if you want to attend a really great party. NOT ALL promoters are out for the money. Once again its not about the clothes, who makes the most money IT IS ALL ABOUT THE MUSIC -WAKE UP AND SMELL THE COFFEE!!! Go to liquid dimensions parties if you want to go to a good party -parties are held in the Columibia area. We are all about the music and having fun and coming together-UNITY UNITY UNTIY. Thank YOU!!!

-- Anonymous, September 23, 1999

I haven't been partying for very long... Since this past January actually. And all of them (except one this past saturday) have been at Rafters in boone NC. But I HAVE seen a few problems. Honestly, I've seen a lot of problems at raves come from alcohol. I find it really ironic that you get as many people in one building on all these whack-ass drugs, and the drunks are causing the most problems. But the drugs are a large problem too. I shouldn't be one to talk, since I haven't gone to a party sober yet, but the drugs aren't why I'm there. (Actually, I'm planning on going sober to the next party.) I'm there to dance, and to be around people. That's all. When people lose track of that, then they start causing problems. I haven't lost track of it yet, but if I do, someone please slap some sense into me.

I have noticed a bit of cliquishness at parties. At the parties I go to, there's one group of people in particular that I've noticed being that way. Individually, they are all great people, but as a group, they kind of bother me. Most of the people in the group I am friends with on an individual basis, but when it comes to this "group" itself, I feel a bit like I don't belong with them. It's hard to explain, and it may have something to do with the fact that I'm not very good with larger groups of people, but it's what I see. But one of the strange things I've noticed is that nearly all of my REALLY good friends aren't party kids. Most of them have been to raves, all of them would like to go, but none of them are as much into it as I am. There are a couple people in particular i've met at parties I think I'll be good friends with, but it hasn't quite manifested yet.

The clothes. OK. I'll admit it, I'm into some brand name clothes. But it's not like I get something b/c of a brand name. I own some Kik-Wears, used to own some JNCO's, but in general, I despise those companies. But I think it'd be even more fake of someone to NOT wear something they like b/c of a brand name than to wear something they don't like b/c of a brand name. It's just depends on my taste. Forgive me for being a bit snobbish here, but I just can't wear Wal-Mart clothes. As for showing off one's "club outfit..." Going to a rave is going out, and people dress up to go out. It's natural. But it's easy to tell that some people wear certain clothes b/c they feel they need to to fit in, and that's just wrong. But it's fun to come up with different kinds of crazy outfits to wear to the club. Me and my bro have come up with ideas ranging from jester outfits, posing as some sort of cowboy ("Are ya'll on drugs or sumthin? How come you have that pacy-fyer in yer mouth? Can I see them light thingies?" And that's the part where I start dancing. ), and even finding a couple of cop uniforms. (My bro already has an undercover police shirt and a badge. You'd be surprised how many people believe it.)

The way I see it, there are people who are really themselves, and there are people who are trying to be someone else. And the only time I've seen a better ratio of real people to not-real people has been with the people I sword fight and role-play with. I *LOVE* the rave scene. I love the music, I love the dancing, I love the people, and, yes, I love the buzz. I haven't been on the scene long enough to see that it's going downhill, and the only scene I know is in Boone, but I do see the problems. If it's been degenerating, and if it's continuing to degenerate, then we do have a serious problem. The only way to fix all these problems is if EVERYONE helps. But even if raves are suddenly "out," I'll still be there. (Come on, since when was swordfighting and roleplaying "in?" )

There's one quote that I think describe the sudden trendy aspect of raving perfectly, and I think everyone should hear this quote.

"To be nobody but yourself in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody else means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight; and never stop fighting."

--E.E. Cummings

Everyone; never stop fighting.

-- Anonymous, September 27, 1999

What's wrong with the rave scene? Good question. It is the same thing that is wrong with every scene, the same thing that is wrong with the world in general. Stupidity. Hardcore party kids want to keep it underground. If you look like a club kid, they won't have anything to do with you. If you don't look like you "belong" at a party, they will shun you. I will admit that it's a little unnerving to see the guy who was the quarter back of the football team in high school rolling his ass off at a party, in his khakis and abercrombie shirt, but get over it. But, as for new school ravers, or those who aren't actually ravers, respect the old schoolers. Understand that this is their scene, and respect their territory. Don't jump in like you own the place. Get to know a few people, and take their advice on how to act and what to do. I think the main problem is people are practicing selective PLUR. But it needs to be applied to EVERYONE. If everyone was really intent on making the rave scene a better place, it would be. It's a matter of working together, but you have to start with yourself. I only started going to parties recently, but I have friends who talk about the good 'ol days, when everyone was a family and they all took care of each other. So start introducing yourself to people, make new friends, and let's make this thing a family again.

-- Anonymous, March 01, 2001

What is wrong with the rave scene??? Good question. I've recently just started going to parties but when I get involved in something I throw my heart, soul, and body into it so let me give this a try. Money and Drugs. I am not one that doesn't do drugs. I try not to do them AT rave because I just don't get the same effect that I do when I'm at a house party but what I am saying is that people are TO into drugs. A friend of mine ripped me off because he is just hooked on K. I do K to so I'm not looking at him in a bad light for that but I find it sad that that this DRUG meant more to him then a friend. Money because production companies are charging an arm and a leg for tickets and it's just not right. I can see where some say that they have to pay the dj's and that's cool. Some of them charge ridiculus money an hour. But do they REALLY have to charge $5 and $6 for a 16 oz. bottle of water WHICH I might add helps to keep all us silly raver kidz from passing from dehydration when we take pills, go to the dance floor, and just dance till we can't anymore. If it was left to throwing raves for the kidz and the drugs were there to highten the experence and not become the experence I think we all would be much happier in the scene.

-- Anonymous, July 25, 2001

What is wrong with the rave scene? It moved from underground to mainstream in 1994...thats when i stoped going. When something has been around for over 12 years and has 5 to 20 thousand people show up it means that it is big business not underground....the reason they try to shut raves down is not because of drugs or that 1 kid seems to OD every year on what they say is X but is most likly herion is because some politician is looking for a handout. they'll use the local news paper to get the public (which is a bunch of mother)on their side and threaten to close all raves. when the politician gets what he wants the papers go quiet and the raves go on...thats life

-- Anonymous, January 09, 2002

IF I MENTION HELTER SKELTER, HARDCORE HEAVEN, DREAMSCAPE, SOUTHERN STYLE EXPOUSRE, SLAMMIN VINYL, BURNELL ROMMS DENBIGH ESTASTE.REST IN PEACE WHAT HAS HAPPENED THE CORE RAVERS WHO WAS PRIVALAGED TO EVER SET FOOT IN ANY OF THE EVENTS WITH THE SANCTUARY FINISHED GOOD REST IN PEACE THE ONES WHO HAVE THE LACK OF SELF DIGINTY TO GIVE INJUST TO THE HAPPY HARDCORE RAVERS EVEN THE DRUM AND BASS JUNGLE TECHNO OLD SKOOL I THINK I GOT THE SPELLING RIGHT I MYSELF DID NOT GO TO DREAMSCAPE UNTIL I WAS ABOUT 94/95 AND FOR 5 YEARS I HAD THE PRIVALLAGE OF GOING TO THE BEST WEEKENDS YOU WILL DOUBT YOU WILL EVER HAD BEARING IN MIND I AM IN THE FORCES AND THE FORCES ATTITUADE TO DRUGS IS NO TOLLERANCE ATTITUADE YOU TAKE BEFORE THE YEAR 2000 . I STILL TRY TO KEEP IN TOUCH WITH MY FELLOW RAVERS BEARING IN MIND IM NOW 32 MARRIED WITH KIDS THE RAVE SCENE HAS ITS ENEMYS BY FAR BEARING IN MIND THE DRUGS ARE CHANGING PRICES ARE COMMING DOWN FOR THE MORE ILLUSIVE DRUGS SUCH AS HEROIN AND COCANE THE SCENE IS IN MOURING AS WELL THE DJS SUCH AS SY HIXXY DOUGAL VIBES SLIPMATT SEDUCTION JUST TO NAME A FEW THEY NEED TO PULL TOGETHER NOT FORGETTING THE MCS WHO MAKE THE RAVE SCENE TO WHAT IT WAS AS WELL AS THE BACKROUND STAFF SUCH AS THE SOUND ENGINER ETC AND ALL THE STAFF AND EVEN THE SECURITY WHO IF YOU HAD A PROBLEM ALWAYS TRIED THEIR BEST TO MAKE THE EVENTS GO REALLY WELL THE MEDIA DONT FORGET NEED TO SELL STORIES SO A FEW BAD REVIUES SELLS THEY NEED TO PULL THEIR FINGER OUT AND SORT THE REVIUES THAT HELTER DREAMSCAPE HAD WITH THE POLICE SIDE THEY HAVE TO DO A JOB WHETER OR NOT WE HATE OR LIKE THEM I HAD NO PROBLEM WITH THEM BEARING IN MIND SOMEONE WHO UNDERSTANDS WHAT THE VIBE IS ABOUT DONT GAMBLE HIS MONEY OR HIT HIS WIFE AND FAMILY OR HAVE AFFAIRS BECAUSE HIS/HER PISSED YOU LOT SLAG OF SO CALLED DRUGGIES TAKE A BLOODY GOOD LOOK AT YOURSELF I WORKED HARD TO GO TO DREAMSCAPE HELTER SOUTHERN ETC I NEVER PINCHED MONEY TO GO THE NEW SO CALLED RAVERS SORRY GUYS THE SCENE WILL NEVER BE THE SAME IM HOPING IT WILL BEARING IN MIND ALL RAVERS ARE FAMILY YOU TAKE IT MOST OF MY FELLOW RAVERS DIDNT HAVE GOOD JOBS AS LONG AS YOU HAD ENOUGH MONEY TO BY A TICKET WHICH WAS ONLY ABOUT 20/25POUNDS INCULDING TRANSPORT AND A TRACKIES WHICH 95% OF PEOPLE FELL COMFORTABLE AND INSIDE THE THE VENUES IT WOULD GET HOT AND WATER AND FIZZY DRINKS WOULD BE FREE OR FELLOW RAVERS WOLULD SORT YOU OUT GIRLS USE TO WEAR NEXT TO NOTHING AND YOU DID NOT HEAR ANYTHING UNTWARD HAPPENIG .

-- Anonymous, December 18, 2004