Friday, January 19, 2007

bunny

I have a huge confession to make.

Under my endless and seemingly complex layers, I am a raver bunny.

There. I said it.

There was a time - perhaps ten years ago - when I bought all the raver music to be had. You name it, the Bumps, the ESPs, the Reactivates (wince), the Camel Party's. I owned them - and if I didn't own them, I had them on cassette, firmly entrenched on the penlight-battery operated cogs of my Walkman. Please don't judge me, I was a lost soul.

I have been very cheated. For true ravers, well, go to raves. I grew up in a one horse town where the word 'rave' was a well-matured Midlands cheese or such. At boarding school after the holidays, my friends from the big bad city of Johannesburg would come back with stories about "hitting it hard at ESP," or "dancing all night at Bump."
It drove me bananas.
"What did you do during your holidays Peas?"
I rode my bike, watched telly and ate cheese. If you must know.

All I wanted to do was dress in lumo latex and a fuzzy bra top and head to the city of Rave. Nope, wasn't allowed. The closest I got to a rave was dimming the lights in my boudoir, turning up Bump 2 when my folks were out and jumping on my bed.

I was such a loser.

Ten years later, it's gone. Rave was always an underground movement really, but it's completely left the planet. Here I am in the city of hecstasy and doof doof - but it's another era. I missed the boat.

Rave is very distinctly uncool, and going to Evolution in Midrand is not my idea of a good time. (The Ant said she'd take me there, we'll dress up, wear yellow glasses, revert back to the 90s together basically, but I'm scared we'll be beaten up stukkend.)

So I'm a closet raver that never was. Or am I?
Perhaps when next in Europe, I'll do that Berlin Love Parade thingie or maybe divulge in the Ibiza scene. For now, I replay my old stuff in my car - windows down, like a lanie leaving Lenz. Magic.

But please don't tell anyone. Being a Closet Raver That Never Was isn't exactly de rigeur.

58 comments:

Anonymous said...

I raved, early 90s. But not at Bump or even really ESP. At a small dark club called Fourth World, in all sorts of other gorgeous buildings. My platforms and feather boas were always with me. And it was FUN.

Peas on Toast said...

Ah Jam, you lucky Joburgers I swear!

I feel like I've been cut out of the 90s. :(

ChewTheCud said...

Ditto on everything Pea. But it would have been nice to be able to go to ANY party back then. The small towns aren't known for their Concerts ;P

High in Dubai said...

Hey Peas,

I must say I can't relate to your rave affection (or was that affliction). I do suffer from liking some rather uncool music myself...

But I must say, I have been to Evolution and it was quite an experience... I did not get "klapped" but I was shocked that there are so many peeps that just love to get down and dirty to that music... All in all I don't think it was even possible to make eye contact with anyone with all the strobe lights; so I think it is pretty hard to get and ass-kicking...

Rave on!

Anonymous said...

The word "rave" is dead. Hard clubbing lives on. Don't go to Evolution - the music is good, but you have to pick your nights carefully in terms of the crowd. Far better to go to ESP (Nexus) in Randburg - the crowds are bigger, and the music rocks.

Peas on Toast said...

Chew - I hear you. My school nights out consisted of pub-style debauchery on Commercial Road in Maritzburg, or, like, a movie. Sigh...

Dubai - no way, you've been? Hilarious! Wanna go when yo come back? Perhaps we should drag C along with us - might take some bribing though. :)

b - nice china, now that's what I'm talkin about. Is the ESP in Braamfontein closed? The last I heard it was - so perhaps it's to Randburg we go!

High in Dubai said...

Hey I'm for it... especially if we get C involved - however I think that will take a lot of bribing!

Peas on Toast said...

We might have to pour alcohol down her throat and pretend we're going elsewhere.
Or pay her to come with us.
Or give her R50 000.

Can you see C in a rave club? Hilarious. :)

Anonymous said...

Hehe, don't worry Peas, I was a raver that actually WAS! That is one embarrassing portion of my life... ;)

High in Dubai said...

Yeah... I think pouring alcohol down her throat will definitely help...

I would love to see her in some luminous pink latex - I think it would suite her... I think she'd be up for the challenge...

I can't wait - please can we get some glow sticks - I've always loved that!

Peas on Toast said...

capdog - you lucky bugger. ;)

Dubai - Aw glow sticks??! The kind you hang from around your neck? Count. Me. In. That is sooooooo exciting!

C in pink latex, I can just see it now...

Anonymous said...

Hey...peas and H in D, who said I wasn't a closet raver bunny when I was 16...(and no, I dont consider "Die Wilderness" in the "States" raving)...always up for something new..espcially with you two at the helm, you might not even have to drag me.

Anonymous said...

okay...but I do draw the line at pink latex!

Peas on Toast said...

That's the spirit my little raver chick! :)

Sooo exciting! It'll be the proverbial hoot!

boldly benny said...

No judgement Peas I think we've all had a flirtation with rave in some aspect. I went to a club in Cape Town called Boiler Room (it was round the corner from Kadiz that weird cafe that's been going for years!)OH and I went Zone - a three layer club. The top floor was open-air so you could party it up while the sun came up, quite scary when you see what everyone looks like in the real light of day!
On an aside, I had a Goth friend who obviously LOATHED anything Rave and she was devastated when Smashing Pumpkins released their song 'Rat in a Cage' because she THOUGHT the lyrics went "Despite all my rage I am still just a raver in a cage!" In her mind she couldn't understand HOW Billy Corgan could be a closet raver - or caged raver!

Peas on Toast said...

boldly - brilliant! Speaking of Goths, I also went through a two moth period of dressing dark and moody. Was 17 - and full of angst. Goth by night, raver by day :)

Billy Corgan a raver - I just love it. :)

Carlz said...

hi my friend. some things should remain secret - lol!
hope ur having a great day - we have no power - TG for generators!!RAVE ON BABE!

Peas on Toast said...

Oomcha oomcha oomcha Carlz!

Shrouded in darkness - seems very apt for glow sticks my friend! :)

Revolving Credit said...

Peazle, I'm having a bit of difficulty reconciling the Lionel Ritchie Kareoke Queen Peas with Closet Rave Peas.

Unless 'Dancing on the Ceiling' was about a raver on a narcotic induced trip.

Urk said...

spent a few years in margate. we had to rave to monster hits 3. oh..and Patricia Lewis. It was all we had.it was great.

Peas on Toast said...

Rev - Yeah..I'd imagine it doesn't make much sense. Complex and layered see. ;)

Urk - Now Monster Hits. The greatest compilation ever made. I have Monster Hits One through to 7, I'd never mock it.

That stuff is legendary. It's what my first 'garb' memories are made of. :)

Anonymous said...

Hey Peas. I, like Jam, hit the scene hard in the early '90s - word up to the 4th world gang! And hey, jam? remember DMZ? near your old flat?

Peas, you would've loved it. Yeah forget about the large trashy club scene, underground was where it was at.

Aaah, the days of my yoof...

Revolving Credit said...

Umm...if Patricia Lewis is playing, it's not a rave, it's a sokkie!

Peas on Toast said...

Hot pink - I'm so jealous of you guys. While I was eatin cheese, you guys were fully emersing yourself in the whole scene. Hmmph.

Rev - yeah Urk, I'm not sure whether I can help you out with Pat Lewis. That's a whol new ballgame china.

Urk said...

the collection must consist entirely of cassettes, starting with the bland black, and then ranging to white and then red. 2 words Gina G (if "G" can be construes as a word, that is)

Urk said...

ooooh.....ja...and KWS - please dont go

Peas on Toast said...

Nope, I have them all on CD. :)

Of course I taped them onto cassette so I could jam to them on my Walkman.

They're collector's items I tell you.

muddlepuddle said...

Peasypoo there is a simple yet slightly butonly slightly less hek-tik solution to this fantasy of yours - H2O babycakes?

Yes yes ok so it's in the 'Burg and it's not exactly the old dodgy warehouse rave you're seeking but chicks wear lumo 'kinis and okes wear their oakleys and suck on those mini glow stix and all that crap...it's your grail babe

Peas on Toast said...

Muddle - if I had my way, I'd be there in a second. I've been brainwashed to stay far far away though. Perhaps some counter brainwashing will do the trick?

High in Dubai said...

hey peas...

I think Muddle has a great suggestion... It seems that C is in - so lets go big with glow sticks at H2O some time...

Now if you only got your hands on to that gold bikini...

Insane Insomniac said...

I was lucky enough to miss the rave wave and instead got caught up in grunge.
But Peas, you'll be happy to know that day glo sticks and electronic music is back. Check out bands like The Klaxtons. Its called Indie or Nu Rave.

Peas on Toast said...

Dubai - Well you don't have to ask me twice boet - it's a date. Let's go to H20!
God I can't wait - what an experience!

Insane - the revival of rave! This is the best news ever! You've made my day babe. :)

muddlepuddle said...

Im not sure if C is the C I know from Rhodes coz there's like a C and a C2 and C3billion but if it it is then you okes have to have to take pics at H2theizzo!

Hahaha what a lag - me thinks for the occasion you should pimp Ludwig met a blue neon light underneaf himself!!!

Anonymous said...

You get two kinds of people:
Those with a Dark Shameful Secret and liars.

Peas on Toast said...

Ha ha Muddle - I love that, wiff a blue light underneaf of him! :)

Well here's somethign to really get you in a, um, muddle. :) C and C3 both went to Rhodes... :)

Kyk - :)

muddlepuddle said...

Doesn't matter.....
I'm going to be looking out for Ludwig wiff his blue neon underneaf of him....Monster Hits 4 booming fru his new electric window(s).... one times Peasypoo in gold bikini (might wanna rethink the colour y know for rave purposes)...one times H-in-D wiff foakleys/oakleys sucking on glow stick....one times C in platforms that have teeth and fur (she'll fit right in tell her not to worry).....and perhaps you should take Suave....for the Fluffy Dice you'll be needing to show Bburg you're a VIP!!

High in Dubai said...

Muddle,

I fink you are ama-zing, fank you for ve lekker plen!!! It will be a kewl time we hill haf!

Mich said...

Closet Raver? hmmm.. I must say I never got Rave.. I have tried but I still don't get it.

Revolving Credit said...

With all the bling and pimping that's getting proposed, are you going to a rave or are you planning to star in a gangsta rap music video??

Peas on Toast said...

Muddle - I kan like it so much, I kan like to be oragnising my outfit wiff lots of lumo dinges hanging off of it!

We can like to show Boksburg what we is made of, so amped I could skeem proper!

Peas on Toast said...

Elle - it's kinda like a sceret society...all on my own. :)

Rev - Either or suits me fine. :)

High in Dubai said...

Peas...

I could totally see you as a gangsta rap chick... your name on those knuckle rings... Pimping your ride up... All the while sipping on you Hennesey...

Anonymous said...

C'mon Peas! You owe it to yourself... get outta that darn closet and onto the dancefloor!

I did a two year "Tour of Duty" in London after school, in 1998 and 1999, involving many a crazy-assed, electro-neon, pulse-and-thumping night spent in some kickin' clubs. The whole trip culminated in a four day Millenium party. What an experience... If only you knew what these eyes had seen! Itwillallwaysbewithme!

Anyone been to SunnySide Up in Victoria? The Tube on Tottenham Court Rd.? Fevah? Anyone?

I agree about hitting Nexus though, always fun. That said, I haven't been raving for some time. Kinda worked all those bright lights and bangin' beats out of my system! But give it a whirl Peas, take some good friends and have a laugh.

:)

Anonymous said...

Did someone say rave? I love Rave... say I said it. I love rave.

Anonymous said...

PEAS : i love rave!!!!!!!

have you heard DJ TIESTO??

he rocks!

there......i also said it :))

fida

puresoul786@yahoo.com

muddlepuddle said...

HinD get jiggy met dit!
Peasypoo wear your hair in pigtails - okes in The 'Burg can like to dig it!
Also say china a lot....oh and also say u check u check quite a bit!

Now once you've conquered H2O.... we're going to get you to the K'Park Tappet Party!!!!
Chiaaasooooos then we can really rock Ludwig..... HinD can you organise car persian carpets up there in Dubi's?

Buddha Belly said...

Of course one assumes that this was until you found Buddhism?!!!!!?

Peas on Toast said...

Dubai - ...with a rollie on my arm and pouring Chandon? ;)

flatdog - I love the sound of the Millenium party, I am all ready and amped to go. The closest I've been to something like that was in Geneva Switzerland funnily enough - some Irish pub disguised as an oomcha club...it was hilarious. :)

Gypsey - you're safe here dollface.

Fida - I love helping people out of the dubious little rave closet! DJ Tiesto sounds familiar - Dance Adrenalin 4? ;)

MUddle - I'll check you there china. :)

Buddha belly - aren't buddhists allowed to listen to rave music?

Anonymous said...

DJ Tiesto is awesome but I must say Lisa Lashes really gets me going!

PS: dig your blog peas

Peas on Toast said...

There's so much I still need to hear in the way of 'head candy.' ;)

Thanks Gypsy!

Anonymous said...

Lisa Lashes, Gypsy? Did you see her spin at the Camel Experience rave, waaaay back in the day? Leftfield and Orbital were there as well. 40 000 people at Gallagher Estate, the biggest party I've ever seen, a sea of ravers!

Wild.

Like never before!

Anonymous said...

Flatdog are you trying to kill our dear dahling peasypoo with jealousy???

Peas on Toast said...

It's working you bastards. :)

Koekie said...

Now that you mention it... Big Blue have THE most awesome darkglasses. Gold frames with dangly disco balls on chains that hook behind your ears...

Okay, it's not exactly rave bunny, but if you're going to do porno, do it properly. Not that I bought a pair. Or two. (they also come in pink...)

Dan Lurie said...

i used to be a closet case too. i went to metal clubs dressed all in black with long hair and then come home and lye in bed listening to Derek the Bandit. my metal friends would have shunned me if they knew!!

Tertia said...

You know what's even worse? Is being a Rave Rabbit. I hit the rave scene late, well late in terms of age - around 27. I was a full on raver, latex, E's, tiger balm and the whole thing. Except my sister told me I am too old to be a rave bunny, so I had to be a rave rabbit. Fine. Still had a joll though. Had some of the best times of my life.

Sigh. Even older now. What's older than a rabbit? I'm that. Whatever it is.

It is the question said...

Jeez Peas, you've missed out.

I guess any mass human synchrony that also has people completely caught up in their own space has to be amazing. Especially since many can be stoned out of their minds and others are health ravers and just drink water.

I used to love a pretty hard core dingy rave club in Cape Town called Pure. It was very hard core though. Once, I passed on a speaker there. Nobody can quite believe that.

Mega-raves are the biz though. I've been to multiple Paul Oakenfold raves. Biggest was at Dockside in Cape Town. They oversold the event by 100% (I'm not quite sure how you do that) and you could tell inside - the crowd literally moved as one - there was no space for individual movement.

The night before the Dockside rave, I stumbled upon James Small's engagement party to Christina Storm at his then Cape Town club (I forget the name). For some reason he allowed my friend and I in and we partied with all the models from Christina Storm's agency about an arm's length away from Oakenfold on the decks. Did you know he earns up to R250 000 per mega-rave gig and was at that stage the highest paid DJ in the world?

I also went to 2 Paul Van Dyk raves. Van Dyk is the godfather of trance. Man. Awesome.

I also had such a good rave with Oakenfold at the Atlas Studios - one of the best venues I've been to - that I wrote my car off on the way home. I've been a little more circumspect about things since then.

Great rave DJs read a crowds' energy and can build to a crescendo of racing heart beats and whooping ravers without the crowd being conscious of the patterns. It is amazing how a poor DJ can have great music but fall flat.

Nexus is cool. Try it. But Truth in Midrand has been the rave destination of choice in Jo'burg for a while and hosted tonnes of big name DJs. I saw __ there but he played speed garage and I hated it.

My favourite Jo'burg rave jol was a small dingy place in Benmore Jo'burg called Sublime. Oh my oath, I don't know how I survived! No big name DJs, just a completely different scene.

I also raved to John Digweed in New York and did the obligatory pilgrimage to Ministry of Sound in London (a night out there could break the bank).

Other amazing dance clubs (mostly house rather than rave) have been Jet Lounge Cape Town (all time fave), The Fez Cape Town, Mumbar Cape Town, The Gallery London. Sadly Joburg doesn't have too many out-and-out dance clubs like that, except on the East Rand and the drive home is therefore fraught with danger.

If 27 is a rave rabbit, I hate to think what 33 is! But alas, I find it takes me bloody ages to recover from a rave these days and I go on the rare occasion (like once or twice a year) - typically when I'm drunk after having been somewhere else.

At the beginning of this last December a friend had the great idea (not) of getting up and going to a trance party at 04h00 and partying into the day. I thought it was a crazy idea but went along with it anyway. It was one of those Alien Safari things I think. I arrived and, sober, walked through the tent village with the merchants selling their hubbly-bubblies, health drinks, mushrooms, etc. By the time I got to the dancefloor, I thought I was in a Harry Potter movie. Wow.

Other big outdoor raves have been Carl Cox at a New Year's party on Cape Town's foreshore and another New Year at the River Club (also in Cape Town) - probably about '94 when rave was at its peak. Both had over 30 000 mad ravers!

Still to do:
- H20 (although I thought they were no more)
- The Fridge, London
- Ibiza
- DJ Tiesto
- Junior Jack

I also have to do Carfax although that's more House.

Hey, what memories! I've posted this on my blog for posterity with a photo of the dancefloor from December's Alien Safari at dawn.

IITQ

Peas on Toast said...

Koekie - I like your style babe. Even though, you know, you never bought any. :)

Tertia - I'm a rave rabbit too! 26 makes me sort of in the 27 league, so we're snap! ;)

OD- - Derek the Bandit? Bless! ;)

IITQ - Shiza, that is impressive! I went to Dockside once in first year and enjoyed the lay-zers. I was loving those lay-zers. In fact perhaps Dockside was the cloest I got to a rave. Lay-zers.

House is awesome as well - they play house at Carfax, that I know, I've been once but didn't enjoy it so much.