Rave revue hits town with ultra-tech sound, lights, fashion of future
Byline:   Tim Pratt
05/17/93
THE GRAND RAPIDS PRESS   (GRPR)
Page:     b4
Day:      MON
(Copyright 1993)
MUSICREVIEW
The Grand Rapids Press
     Some say rave's birthplace was Detroit, but it first gained
strength in Europe.
     To teens and twentysomethings in such cities as New York,
Chicago and Los Angeles, it is the biggest subculture (or burgeoning
culture) of the times.
     And since it's dominated by computers and the latest
technology, it's definitely part of the '90s. And it's finally
picking up steam in the Midwest.
     Welcome to the next generation.
     Welcome to rave, raving, techno, cyberpunk, whatever.
     It is the world of the synthetic, legal and illegal highs,
intensity, no-name and no-face "groups," (actually, most are simply
disc jockeys) utilizing sequencers, samples and technical mumbo
jumbo.
     A bit of the rave world was brought to Grand Rapids Friday
evening at Club Eastbrook with the appearance of Moby, along with
E.S.P., Fade 2 Black and a number of DJs mixing out a wall of
sound.
     As more than 350 people, most bedecked in appropriate attire,
danced and simply hung out, it was obvious rave is the wave of the
future, a connecting link to the next level in music and style.
     The only thing really missing from the Grand Rapids rave
experience Friday was the risk factor. Raves are rarely organized as
professional events, but rather as underground happenings, a party,
if you will.
     These parties can be held in abandoned buildings, monstrous
warehouses or, in the case of the European version, outside in a
vast field. There have been reports of as many as 30,000 people in
attendance at raves in Europe.
     Grand Rapids has seen its share of raves in the past year, but
probably none with as much hi-tech light and sound equipment as
Friday's.
     Besides the music and dancing, those in attendance were greeted
with various vendors selling T-shirts, jewelry, Doc Marten shoes,
outlandish hats and even candy suckers. A "smart bar" was also on
hand, serving "smart drinks," which are legal concoctions of fruit
juice blended with a variety of vitamins and minerals.
     "This is more than a party for the kids - it's more
sophisticated," said Don Dorshimer of Belkin Productions, which
organized the event. "I think the light system here is second to
none. We're learning how to do more with it."
    In front of the stage, dancers were bombarded with light and
sound. Three giant video screens displayed an amalgam of images,
with lasers breaking up the billowing fog.
     While the uninterrupted flow of music continued to play, with
some songs speeding along at 150 bpm (beats per minute), people
simply let loose and danced peacefully, enjoying the atmosphere.
     "You can be anything you want here," said 18-year-old
Hudsonville resident Michelle Kneibel. "The whole sound takes you in
and takes your soul - it brings you in."
    "You don't worry about what other people think," said Andrea
Freeman, an 18-year-old Grand Rapids resident.
     Indeed, one of the interesting things about raves is their lack
of violence. The whole basis behind this culture is an emphasis on
peace and harmony, transcending racial and prejudicial lines.
     "Rave music is great because it brings out people in the
community," said 19-year-old Comstock Park resident Jason Stewart.
"It blends cultures. You see all different kinds of people - all
races."
    The Detroit-based Fade 2 Black had a few fans of its own on
hand. The group features two DJs dressed in all-white jumpsuits and
black gas masks covering their faces.
      Though much of what can be considered rave and/or techno is
devoid of vocals, both Fade 2 Black and Moby utilize them.
     Featured performer Moby, a.k.a. Richard Melville Hall, arrived
on the scene after midnight, quite early for someone who's used to
going on at 3 a.m.
 (raves typically last all night).
     Although the 27-year-old, alone on stage but for keyboards and
technical equipment, only played his music for about 30 minutes, it
was enough to satisfy the bouncing crowd.
     Noteworthy for being one of the few rave artists to be on a
major label, Moby played a mixture of old and new material,
including "Next Is The E" and "Ah-Ah." Both songs are on the "Cool
World" movie soundtrack.
    After the show, Moby - with an Elektra album this fall - said he
uses samples, digital audio tape and synthesizers to pump out his
music.
     Dorshimer said he was pleased with the response, and more
rave-oriented events might be arranged.
@ART: PRESS PHOTO/MARK STEPHEN WILSONRavin' on the dance floor at
Club Eastbrook are Mark Trine, 21, of Albion, Grace Ellison, 22, of
Grand Rapids.