Raver Mamas ~ X-Raver Mamas?!?

[BinahYeteirah]

bs"d

I was inspired by the Deadhead Mamas thread so I though I'd see if there are any old skool ravers out there who are now parenting. I guess I'm a different generation!

I started going parties when I was around 15 years old (am now 24, ack, almost 10 years! :eek) in the midwest. At that time the "scene" was somewhat new (compared to the NYC scene where I now live), and *very* exciting and happening. Before I became all boring, LOL, I was an almost *religious* raver, going strong for 6 years or so.

Anyone else?

[Pynki]

:thumb

I'm there with you.. I started much later though when i was about 19 ish.. Then i moved in with my bf and we started throwing raves with our friends (we all lived in Omaha).. It was one of the funnest times in my whole life.. Finding out about a party and traveling 8 hours to go see some dj you heard about or to watch your friends dj... Oh youth.. Now i am 28 with 2.5 kids on the way, and miss going to raves.. I think a rave has got to be one of the happiest places on earth....

Warm Squishy Feelings...

Dyan
:p

[kama'aina mama]

Many years ago, (like, uhm, almost 20) we didn't call them raves (God, now I sound like Grampa Simpson) we just called them underground clubs. I was lucky I never had to hunt for fliers or whatever... a buddy of mine was a bouncer/ doorman at a few semi-regular places. The first one I recall was Power Tools in LA, that one was in a really old hotel ballroom (I think it had been condemned) and Tone Loc was the DJ before he recorded Wild Thing. We used to go to some down in the warehouse district too. I am still amazed at how mellow my mom was about me climbing into the bizarre clothes I favored in those days and heading out at like 11:30 not to return til after dawn.

[BinahYeteirah]

bs"d

Oh, I'm sooo glad someone answered my thread... apparently being a "raver" (or underground cluber, what-have-you) doesn't inspire the same loyalty as being a Deadhead!

Pynki- I bet the scene was very cool when you were 19 in Omaha. I have felt that the midwest was (once?) a much more idealistic, happy, and loving sort of scene than NY's. This was even more so when I was younger (or maybe it's just me that's changed, not the "scene"). When I first moved to NYC, I was involved with helping one production company throw parties. It was fun, and it fit with my ideaology, because they only threw outlaws (illegal parties, i.e. parties held in vacant buildings that had been broken into, or outside in parks, etc. without the proper permits, sometimes with stolen electricity, etc.) as opposed to the massive events that often occur now, with corprate sponsors and such. Do you mind if I ask how you have 2.5 kids on the way? JUST KIDDING, lol!


Grandpa Simpson, ops, I mean kama'aina mama- I'm also amazed that my parents didn't seem to mind if I had bizarre hair, tight clothes, and then let me go out until noon the next day! All you liberal mamas out there, BEWARE, if you're too "cool" of a parent, you might end up with kids like me, who rebel and end up ultra conservative! LOL! I did a bunch of my partying in such small areas (Indianapolis, Dayton), that it was easy to know where the party was without getting fliers, etc. which I agree, is the way to go.

Anyone else?

[Clarity]

In 90-92 I used to do to things in the Dc-Baltimore area - some were ok, some were not...and a couple of years ago I was going to psycedelic-trance stuff in the SF area run by a cooperative. That was fun. Smallish, people knew each other, not at clubs, no promoter. Just cooperatively run parties. They did outdoor events too. I went to one during my first pregnancy.

[mshollyk]

hello...i'm not a raver but, i LOVE house music, but i'm not fond of trance or techno (PVD, Tiesto or Hawtin) but hey, it's all good.

[Moss's Mommy]

I'm soooo scared to set foot on a dance floor!!!!! I feel like a different person, but I would definately not mind just one night, one more time with just me and the beat, perfect timing, perfect place. I'll probably only go there in my dreams, but maybe one day. As for now, I'd rather listen to my tunes at home with Moss and dance with him, never leaving his side.

[Pynki]

My dh just doesn't get the who rave dance thing.. I've known him since i was 10, but he didn't know me during that time in my life.. His mom gets sooo mad when i say that was the happiest i've ever been.. It's true though.. What could be better than being 22 and free and able to spend your money as you see fit, and going dancing 3 times a week and feeling sooo complete... I never feel as fufilled as i do when i am dancing.. I love my boys, and i am a great mom, but i do long to be on the dance floor again.. All the time.. I never felt as one with the universe as i do when i am dancing.. I do miss it.. We do get to go dancing about every 2 or 3 months, but I still miss it.. Dh takes me to mollify me, but like i said he doesn't get it.. He is a rhythem black hole.. He can suck the rhythem from people around him when he tries to dance.. LOL.. How did a raver end up with such the antithesis of a raver.. Karma i guess.. He's exactly what i need to keep me stable.. I'm a little bit flighty on my own..

I do think it's funny though, that ds 1 (now 4) LOVES dance music.. Anytime we listen to it he says I LIKE THAT MUSIC MOMMY!!! I would listen to mix tapes on my way to work when i was pg with him.. Just doing my part to corrupt the next generation i guess....

:LOL :LOL :LOL

Warm Squishy Feelings...

Dyan
:D

[Moss's Mommy]

My husband sounds just like yours. He doesn't get it and thinks it all sounds the same. When ever I play something he goes.....1234 rave rave rave rave............ over and over and when we are driving down the road and see someone playing loud dance music he says," Look, there goes a mad dj!!!" We laugh so hard together about it but he knows he can't change me. He would never set foot on a dancefloor. I used to just go without him..... I can't imagine him even trying. He's very grounded too and couldn't just let it flow through. Me, on the other hand, I think I'm pretty uninhibited, which could probably get me in trouble, he keeps my head on this earth!!!!!!!!!!!

[mamabranka]

I used to party hard from '96 - '00 in San Francisco. I must admit I was very. very happy. And I loved hard trance, and cyber trance (hated house - yuck)... I met my DH through my party friends. DH and I had a blast going to parties in SF...

We have tons of DJ friends. DH was a closet DJ at one point - now his turntables collect dust :( He just does not have time with 2 kids to dedicate to spinning. Also, the records are too expenisve for a hobbi. We still listen to the music.

I miss the scene, but I am also happy with where I am. It was taking the toll on my body after a while. I needed a break and a bit of sanity :) I have a friend who is still partying hard (we started at the same time), and her sense of reality is a little messed up - must be all the stuff she is taking. I also know some people who ended up dealing, which is pretty sad...

Branka

[smashduff]

wow! i am so excited to see this raver mama thread! i grew up going to parties in Atlanta from 1996 until i moved out to Los Angeles in 2002 to be with my Signifigant Other. he's an electronic music producer/film composer. it's such a trip b/c back in the day i would go to see his shows (he was my favorite artist...and still is) and now we have a beautiful little girl together! our daughter Kaia Nui was born April 23rd and is totally into her daddy's music too! i can remember being pregnant and hearing his songs come on the radio and she would always start to wigging out in my tummy! now she sits on his lap while he's programming funky ass beats! it's soooo cute!!!!!


anyway, really excited to see that our generation is moving into the parenting phase of our lives with such open minds and hearts.....


love and respect
~smashduff

[Moss's Mommy]

I used to go to ATL from Pensacola ALOT. Probably too much.

[yeah yeah yeah]

Count me in.

Dallas, 98-01.

Jungle, my pretties. It's all about some jungle.

[tnc]

Geez...I don't think I can even dance anymore!!!
I moved to ND from FL (3 years ago), where I partied ever weekend in Ft. Lauderdale and Orlando. Now here, I have gone out dancing maybe twice, b/c the clubs here suck and they have no idea what is dance musice, let alone techno.
I really am so out of touch with techno, I have no resources here to keep me current...which is sad b/c it's like a part of me has died....weep!!!! :(
How will my daughter ever learn to love techno??????? LOL

[annababy]

Jungle, my pretties. It's all about some jungle.


The darker, deeper and dirtier the BETTER!

And that's just how I did it from '95-'01 allllll over the Midwest. Indianapolis, Chicago, Detriot, Columbus, Dayton, Milwuakee, Madison, Lexington, Louisville... and on and on...

I know (knew) a lot of DJs and producers, helped throw parties and promoted... it was my life for years. I had to completely remove myself from that "world" in order to get on with my life - the life I have now. But, I'll tell you, a hard night on the dancefloor sounds pretty d*mn good every once in a while. But, I can't. Too many old memories and bad scars...

be well.

anne

[Moss's Mommy]

I feel the same way... that I need to distance myself from all that (xcept for music i listen to in my own home or car) bc I have the tendency to get very jealous of the whole deal and I'm scared I wouldn't come home. Well, I probably would but you just can't go back, only forward.

[Pynki]

I think were I to actually go to another rave.. I too would be sucked back in.. I still love the music.. Our .5 baby is already here and almost 1.. We've only been dancing about 2x's in that year.. I feel soo sad.. I miss dancing sooo much.. I hate alot of what they play in the clubs around here.. But sometimes.. Just sometimes.. They forget we are in podunk Iowa, and they put something on that really flows.. And I get up and dance.. And the world is a peaceful place again.. And I am all blissed out, and I feel like I am flowing out of my self into the world around me.. And the sad part is.. They other people in the club don't get it.. I will be the only one on the dance floor.. Which is cool that I hvae all the room I want, but it makes me sad that they don't get it.. The dance to the crap, and miss the divine.. (sigh)

On a different note.. Do you also find it odd that commercials are being tailored to our demographic.. Like when you hear dance beats to car commercials, and songs you would rave to?? When did I grow up into a target audience??? :LOL

Warm Squishy Feelings..

Dyan
:banana

[steff]

MY keyboards is broken I can’t type I am cutting and pasting words ds spilt milk on keyboard
:angry :angry

oh my :)

yes one of the best times of my life. :thumb happy happy happy.

when I listen to the music I still get goosebumps and chills.

My dh just doesn't get the who rave dance thing either. :irked:

Steff

[QueenSheba'sMom]

mmmhmhmhmm jungle
I love chicago jungle, too. Very different from the east coast stuff.
especially the one tape I have that's very hip-hoppy.

don't think I'd call myself a raver, but I went to a lo-o-ot of em and loved the music and enjoyed dressing up

one of my favorite pictures is from when my dd got into all my crazy old nail polishes and covered herself. she's in a bubble bath, smiling and colorful and showing off her artwork

anyway, I'm not sure I could dance anymore. Lots my rhythm in my first pregnancy. And I can still enjoy the music, but for muuuch shorter intervals. And nowadays the smoke would piss me off. And I got some nasty nerve damage from the only time I used e.

[HoneymoonBaby]

Grandpa Simpson, ops, I mean kama'aina mama- I'm also amazed that my parents didn't seem to mind if I had bizarre hair, tight clothes, and then let me go out until noon the next day! All you liberal mamas out there, BEWARE, if you're too "cool" of a parent, you might end up with kids like me, who rebel and end up ultra conservative!

:LOL This is me. My parents let me make all my own decisions regarding my appearance, whereabouts and what substances I wanted to try. I had spiky green hair, glitter all over my face, pants five sizes too big, and little thrift store polos on at all times when I was 15. I partied until sunrise on the weekends. Today I'm a conservative Republican working in politics in DC, married with a kid at the ripe old age of 23. ;)

My parents couldn't be prouder, btw. I grew up in Southern CA, fwiw.

[simonee]

I raved in Spain (Canary Islands) and Rotterdam in 1990/91. It was great, but then the drugs got the better of me and I got outta the scene. Still love the music. this was early trance, oooohhhhhh the best flow ever.

[Moss's Mommy]

Honey moon, I don't get it! It sounds so interesting to me (I'm a journalism student) and I WANT TO KNOW MORE!!!!!!! How the heck did you end up being a Conservative Republican? Do you regret your rebellion?

[yeah yeah yeah]

The darker, deeper and dirtier the BETTER!

And that's just how I did it from '95-'01 allllll over the Midwest. Indianapolis, Chicago, Detriot, Columbus, Dayton, Milwuakee, Madison, Lexington, Louisville... and on and on...

I know (knew) a lot of DJs and producers, helped throw parties and promoted... it was my life for years. I had to completely remove myself from that "world" in order to get on with my life - the life I have now. But, I'll tell you, a hard night on the dancefloor sounds pretty d*mn good every once in a while. But, I can't. Too many old memories and bad scars...

be well.

anne

Hells yeah! on the Darker the better.

I was involved in a production company, and know (knew) a lot of dj's, too.

And, while going again sounds like fun, it also sounds like that quote: "you can never go home."

I don't think it'd be the same.

[Moss's Mommy]

Personnally, I think everyone involved in this knew a dj and was a promoter! That is just part of it. That's how the machine runs. But it was still fun. I once picked up a bunch of flyers off of an airplane to deliver.

[pema]

anyone from the bay area familiar with spaceship gia?
my partner use to spin a lot of beach parties northern west coast. personally i had more fun at the midwest/florida raves. way less ego! i couldn't think of how sketchy the scene must be now. it was fun for a while but i'm way more happy with a family; the lil ragers hehe. i probally would have been following the dead around if it weren't for my age. guess that's how i ended up on the clubbin boat.
much love

[Moss's Mommy]

Simonee, I know Canary Islands is probably a huge place, but my best friend in the whole world is from there, her name is Anna Guerra Del Rio Langlenton.... we have lost touch... do you know of her??? I know, I'm such a dork, but I figured I'd give it a try. If anybody mentions the Canary Islands ever, I miss my little elf friend. We were kinda wild and crazy and when she went back home, we just weren't too great at writing.

[curlygrrl]

Hi! Just wanted to jump in. I started raving at almost 18yo, about 1992-1994, the scene around here had lost a lot of its lustre by the time I stopped going. I always thought it was all about community and kind of "being one" through the music, and one of the last parties I went to a bunch of frat boys picked a fight. it really sucked. I also met my DH who just hates crowds and dancing.

Glad to see some other ravers here!

Tamara

[Summertime Mommy]

I am so excited I found this thread!! I used to be a raver too. I think I may be the youngest here though. I started going to raves in 98 when I was 15, (going to the club w/ a fake id) and was pretty heavy in the scene until I had Koeby in 2000, then I went back to the scene until sometime in 2002, but by that time, I was pretty dissolutioned with the direction the scene in our area was headed. Luckily for me, my dh was also into the rave scene, so we have that in common. It is kind of funny though because I was pretty candy (still am really, w/o the funky clothes) and he was more of a club kid, so the first time we went out together, it was pretty weird. To this day we still talk about how if we would have met in the club, he wouldn't have liked me. :) Anyway, I still miss what the scene used to be about, you know Peace, Love, Unity, Respect, but I don't see that coming back anytime soon. DH and I have tryed to go back to a few raves in the last year or so (before our youngest was born), and everytime we do, we are dissapointed, it just seems like it is more about X and sex, and less about the music and unity. I feel like the kids now (ha, like I am so old at 21), don't take care of each other the way we used to, it just makes me sad. Anyway, it is cool to see that there are other parents on the board that used to be ravers too, it is always fun to connect with old ravers.

[Worldshakerz]

From mid 1999 to early 2001 for me. I miss it too, but not enough to go back to it. I've only been to a handful of actual raves, after the clubs in Ybor (we frequented Kaos quite a bit) closed at 2am my old crew would end up at a warehouse somewhere in Tampa, or sometimes someones house. Had a few raves in our small apartment too, we'd put blankets on all windows so no light would get it, turn on the black lights and strobes, get the music going, and at about 3am we'd go to the pool. I can honestly say it was a time of great catharsis for me, and when it no longer was I stopped. My dh and I (he was a big time raver too for a while) when we met we were both at the end of our rave ropes for the most part. We hit a few parties together, and discovered that we were way too much in love and didn't feel comfortable with the scene (at least the scene that our original wonderful crew ended up turning into, long story...the vibe just wasn't there anymore). We were ready to move on, so to speak, and many of those around us weren't so we lost touch with a lot of them. I still talk to two from the old crew who are also out of the scene now. I have wonderful memories about it all though, really wonderful It seems like eons ago now! A year after quitting the scene we got pregnant (may2002) and married(nov2002), and now my ds is 17 months old already.
Maybe I'll put on some Oakenfold and reminisce ;)

[pema]

hay world shakerz,
i totally was partying in y'bor the same time. kaos also was a frequant place for me. some of the kids would through hotel parties in st.petersburg as well.
we probally shared some dance space once upon a time.
much love
pema

[Worldshakerz]

Pema, small world isnt it. I bet we did share the dance floor at some point. Even if not at the same moment, i'm sure our feet ended up dancing on the same part of the floor :). If I danced like I did then I wouldn't be stressin about my weight like I am these days. I think I'm gonna start turning on the beats and dancing in the mornings. I really love to dance, so does ds for that matter. He'd prob dance along with me, for a little bit anyway. Its so cute when he dances!

[steff]

Is there anyone who raved without the drugs?

I never really got into dressing like a raver maybe a little near the end. I watched this one girl dance and she was amazing!!!! The way she moved was outrageous. Those days are long gone but I loved them so much.

Steff

[milk_maker]

Hope you guys don't mind me jumping in. I raved from 'late 97 until '01. I'm slowly putting away all of my rave clothes, but mostly because they won't fit over my pg belly.

DH was a raver too, in fact he's the one who corrupted me, but I totally turned into a mad hatter party person. I was slightly candy, but never on the level that so many people were...I wore the beads and cool clothes and stuff, but not too much kwim? Every once in a while I'll still find a glow in the dark spider around the house when I'm cleaning or glitter spots in my car...I just laugh and remember all the good times.

I will say that those were the best days of my life. It seemed like everyone was your friend and everyone was so happy to be there and that you were there with them. I'm such an extremely shy person by nature but when I'd get to a party or club or whatever, I would start to walk around and meet people. By the end of the night I would have a huge group hanging out and we would have all just met each other, but we were the best of friends. I miss that unity.

Dancing is still such a major part of my life. If I have a bad day I'll just run home and drop a cd in the player and dance. DH laughs at me, but he does understand...he just won't admit he can dance and he doesn't unless he's on something or drunk...which is never. I love how the music just enters my body and takes control. I remember the first time I became one with the music...it was so magical...and it is every time now.

Oh I could go on and on for hours about raving and my life raving, but I not going to because I get so sad that those days are over. Sometimes I will pull out my box of memories and cry (stupid hormones) when I realize that I will never be that carefree or happy again. Yes, I'll be happy, but it's a different kind of happy. If I tried to go back, it would be so different. I've tried before and everytime I just came out with a bad taste in my mouth. It was almost as if I tried too hard...those days are just over and I have to go on with this new chapter in my life...

Of course I'll always be a raver in my heart.

[Moss's Mommy]

AAAAAAWWWWWWWWW. I know the feeling, it hurts sometimes, but we can't be kidz 4ever

[Summertime Mommy]

Wow, Shyly, I could have written that myself, (except I was in Gainesville, FL) your post made me want to cry. Isn't it crazy too, how even though it was yrs ago since you raved, you still find stuff that you kept laying around every now and then? We are in the process of moving, and I found a tin lunch box that I kept all of my arm bands and necklaces in. I told dh there was no way we could get rid of that stuff. :)

[milk_maker]

I still have TONS of beads and stuff from all my candy supplies. I also found my enormous mad hatter hat I made for cyberfest. I threw away the hat (it was crushed) but I still have all the beads and stuff. I used to make tons of the stuff and give it to my friends. I still have my most special pieces that my friends gave me. I just can't bring myself to get rid of any of it...I cried when I threw out the hat...lol.

I used to live outside of G-ville, but never got a chance to party there. My friend did get to see Rabbit In the Moon (I LOVE THEM) up there though. I'd sell my soul to see RITM live. I lived near Cocoa Beach when I was doing my party time and partied a lot at this club called Harmony in Palm Bay. Wonderful times...such wonderful times.

[ksjet]

I haven't read all the replies (nak), but I used to go to parties in the DC/Baltimore area (Fever, Buzz, etc.). It was when I was in college at University of Maryland ('94-'00 - I was 17-21ish) and then when I moved to Crested Butte, CO we used to go out in Denver but that was a 4 hour drive. :p My hubby was a big-time raver, too.

Now I'm a boring old SAHM! :LOL I have no desire to party anymore, but it was a blast while it lasted!

ETA: I'm a minister's daughter AND a Conservative Republican. :innocent But, I totally DON'T regret my rebellion. ;)

[BinahYeteirah]

DH was a raver too, in fact he's the one who corrupted me, but I totally turned into a mad hatter party person. I was slightly candy, but never on the level that so many people were...I wore the beads and cool clothes and stuff, but not too much kwim? Every once in a while I'll still find a glow in the dark spider around the house when I'm cleaning or glitter spots in my car...I just laugh and remember all the good times.

I will say that those were the best days of my life. It seemed like everyone was your friend and everyone was so happy to be there and that you were there with them. I'm such an extremely shy person by nature but when I'd get to a party or club or whatever, I would start to walk around and meet people. By the end of the night I would have a huge group hanging out and we would have all just met each other, but we were the best of friends. I miss that unity.

Dancing is still such a major part of my life. If I have a bad day I'll just run home and drop a cd in the player and dance. DH laughs at me, but he does understand...he just won't admit he can dance and he doesn't unless he's on something or drunk...which is never. I love how the music just enters my body and takes control. I remember the first time I became one with the music...it was so magical...and it is every time now.

Oh I could go on and on for hours about raving and my life raving, but I not going to because I get so sad that those days are over. Sometimes I will pull out my box of memories and cry (stupid hormones) when I realize that I will never be that carefree or happy again. Yes, I'll be happy, but it's a different kind of happy. If I tried to go back, it would be so different. I've tried before and everytime I just came out with a bad taste in my mouth. It was almost as if I tried too hard...those days are just over and I have to go on with this new chapter in my life...

Of course I'll always be a raver in my heart.

I find it so interesting that several people have said that their raver years were the best or some of the happiest days of their lives. I feel that way, too. I used to feel it so painfully, so keenly. I feel I have now moved into another best-years-of-my-life period. Not that everything is always wonderful, but I feel that I will look back someday and remember all the love I now have in my young family. Still, when I was 20 or so, I had the most painful mourning, and I just couldn't believe that I was only 20 YEARS OLD and the "best years of my life" were already coming to an end. I just cried and felt I could not be sure of ever having that feeling of aliveness, of excitement, of friendship, and even that sweet, gut-wrenching rave-drama. I am happy I have now formed relationships that have brought me way beyond all that with love for-life and a real community.

Still, I get nostalgic.

Anyway, glad to see I'm hanging with all the real movers and shakers of the old school rave world, lol, all you promoters, djs, and dj's baby's mamas! :lol

Oh, and Steff, that girl you saw dancing, that was me!


JK

[Yummymummy74]

This IS the coolest thread!!! wow ...I used to frequent the Toronto scene back in the early 90's back then we were talking Nitrous, exodus, Chemistry, Destiny productions..anyone remember the old Rise parties?
I used to not only party at these things I worked at them too! LOL
My oldest Dd's daddy was a DJ at the time..;-)

Ha ha now I feel too old...

[steff]

ahh binah did you feel me watching you for 2 hrs straight!! I found you pretty interesting at the time.

What are some of your favorite dj's. Mine back than was Armen Von Halden, I don't even know if I spelt that right. Anyone know the song "blow my whistle bi*"h". One of my favorite songs than at the begining was spin spin sugar. I think it is classified more as house music than trance.

There was this one cd that came out in 1999 it was "The Wizard!!" I wish I could get my hands on that cd. Or even the names of the songs. I have been trying to download some of the songs but can't remember the names of the songs. Anyone know or have the cd?

What are some of your favorite songs? I want to maybe download them and check them out.

Steff

[Pynki]

My favorites were all local DJ's.. I supported my scene man.. We don't need no stinkin' guest DJ's!!! We once had Astroboy out for a party, and we were all soo excited to get Astroboy... And.... He was a complete and total d!ck.. We were all.. We're paying you why?? Despite your belief.. You are not god.. UGH!!

I too think of those years as the best of times.. The best of friends.. I would totally not mind my kids going to raves when they get older as long as they were like the ones we were throwing.. They had almost a hippie feel to them.. It was bliss..

Now as a mom.. I just don't get those feelings.. I have grown in different ways, so there isn't even anything to compare it with..

Warm Squishy Feelings..

Dyan
:hippie

[yeah yeah yeah]

Gah. We had some local egomaniacs, too. Of course, I was in a scene where we were blacklisted for big national for a long time, thanks to one local dj going to Chicago and behaving badly. :rolleyes