The 2008 Midwest Electronic Music Festival

[Chicago]

i had a long fucking post typed out but the fucking moms thing just made me smile.

[Seismic Bass]

haha good man, i reallly dont mean any bodily harm on anyone, im just talking shit... im kind of in rant mode tonight in lieu of some other bullshit drama going on and what not and this shit just tipped me over the edge because i really wish i didnt have to book plane tickets and hotels and such to go to massive parties... id much rather drive down the street, and see all my friends there too... which doesnt happen out of state (aside from demf).

This scene used to thrive. We used to have massives.

Now we can hardly fill a basement.

its sad....

and ftr, the anti-rave law isnt to blame for this... its our selves, and shady promoters and scene drama coning to the fact that raves became played out. All of that together is what killed raves in chicago.

I miss our 5,000 - 10,000 people massives... let alone the 50k cali pulls... I dont think some of these cali folks realize just how jaded and crippled our scene is. And thats my passion as you can tell. I want here, what you guys have there so bad I can taste it.

And thats why I got upset but yeah... nothing will defuse a situation like a good mom joke

and because im insanely bored right now (waiting for iron man to finish downloading!)

I will post this image for your entertainment...

[gadesxion]

long .02$ comin up. I really see both Klovers point and SB's, but i gotta lean and be optimistic about this scene and this party. if im spending oh 50$ just on entry to a party (Which by the way is more than i have paid to enter ANY EDM party in Chicago like...ever)i think odds are im gonna feel just as satisfied with 300+ djs at a 3 day festival as i would seeing a few awesome headliners and a few extras (although those top maybe half dozen on the Daisy line up are sick.. the rest is well kind of a gamble just like all the locals i have yet to hear). But id rather gamble with 300 djs playin than what 70ish? I gurantee i can find 12+ hours of sweet ass sets at MEMF and dance my ass off and meet all kinds of people just like i would if say attending daisy, difference is theres potentially 60 more hours of good times. DJ's dont have recognized names? big deal, dosent mean they cant lay down some sweet ass beats. Hell in this scene iv gone to parties where i havent heard of a single DJ/headliner, and never failed to hear something i could groove to. Production value low? Speakers and lazers and cool looking stages dont (usually) make or break a party. Its the music and the people that show up to listen to it. Attendance wise iv been to shit that draws a ton of kids and have shitty ass vibes (like that unmentionable one in march) or ones that draw a couple dozen and have sweet ass ones (like the lil Toymaker throws in bumblefuck nowhere midwest).

In terms of havin a good time, quality of the ravers is important too. I feel like the chicago community has gradually weeded out the people that come for the wrong reasons (JUST to get fucked up, JUST to get action etc.) and the majority of the regualrs i see are truly in it for the music. I dont have a first hand account but people i have talked to from cali tell me their attendance gets beefed up a bit by people who show up for the said 'wrong reasons' (someone who knows better wanna clairify/correct me on this?) and contribute nothing to the scene except for contributing to the stereotype that ravers are burnout drugmonkeys, and that rollin girls are easy or something. Love that monkey. Hate the stereotypes that come up EVERY TIME i tell an outsider i 'rave'.

Personally how this turns out (outside of the music) is gonna depend heavily on the people that are partyin with me and my mood

This is important for the midwest, the promos are using whatever they got at their disposal and shooting for the stars. You gotta start small if you want it to get bigger and bigger. Hopefully this year is a success and it will become an annual thing. Our scenes not magically gonna become huge like the cali, but this is huge and necessary step towards improvement and goddammit if you truly give a shit about this scene you should be supporting it. Bitchin bout the current situation wont ever make anything better, you gotta act to make it better and you gotta have some hope.

Phew.. that came out way longer than i expected. Now can we go back to talkin bout your momma and nekid women plz?

[Seismic Bass]

^^^^
You say you see both sides of the argument but clearly you don't or you didnt interpret what I was saying correctly.

I'm was not an any point in time ripping on memf or playing it down. It is what it is. Nor did I say anything about it not being worth the money. Nor did I say anyone wouldnt have a lot of fun at it. I actually didn't say a lot of things that you apparently think that I said.

Have you ever even been to ultra? EDC? Monster Massive?.......? hmmm? how bout an easy one... have you ever been to demf?

I'd like to know because if you have then I really cannot see how you would try to argue the point that you are arguing.

As I said, Memf is gonna be a lot of fun most likely... shit a lot of kids might even say it was the best party they EVER went to! Thats totally expected... I understand euphoria quite well - and you can bet your ass I know how much fun camp outs are. They are a whole LOT of FUN!

That being said, And If I have to eat shit for this, so be it.

And this is speaking directly on the angle of the event production, not the artists in any way.

If you think 60 hours of mediocrity (because thats what it is in comparison) is better than 12 hours of million dollar golden bass-in-your-face greatness, you are nuts. Quality, not quantity... <--- which isnt a documented saying of the human race for no reason.

I just dont want everyone to jump on me for this, its all apples an oranges. You cannot realistically compare these events.

Its corporate vs homebrew, Its Microsoft vs (lame tech guy shop on main st.), Its CocaCola vs shasta.

There is no comparison. You people dont get that? Thats all I'm fucking saying! geeeee......

You know... shit... fuck...

I had more fun than anyone when camped out got shut down for the night. I had no stage, No music, just a bunch of people that came to the woods to party. I had more fun than anyone.

It still wasnt better than ultra.

The cave last year was one of the greatest times in my life, it was... Reid Speed tore it up so hardcore that she single handedly inspired me to start seismic (with a little help from keith mack) - It changed my fucking life. Thats how fucking great that party was for me....

IT STILL WASNT BETTER THAN ULTRA.

But, they were different kinds of parties and both great in their own respect.

Fuck it, you all better hope this shit lives up to the cave, or camped out, let alone edc or ultra... mmmk? Lets take this one step at time


Ok on to issue #2

In terms of havin a good time, quality of the ravers is important too. I feel like the chicago community has gradually weeded out the people that come for the wrong reasons (JUST to get fucked up, JUST to get action etc.) and the majority of the regualrs i see are truly in it for the music. I dont have a first hand account but people i have talked to from cali tell me their attendance gets beefed up a bit by people who show up for the said 'wrong reasons' (someone who knows better wanna clairify/correct me on this?) and contribute nothing to the scene except for contributing to the stereotype that ravers are burnout drugmonkeys

You think the chicago community has done just what exactly? You think beefed up numbers dont mean shit exactly what? who? where? First of all, dont think for a fucking second that if you sucked every bit of drugs out of this community that 1/2 these people wouldn't split so fast your head would spin. (hey i said half so if your thinking wtf right now ur probably in the good half k?)

Now what makes you think that beefed up numbers and having people come because they want to party and get fucked up is a bad thing? Because to be fucking honest with you I sure dont. I dont see a problem with it at all. You see kids, money is a wonderful thing, It makes the world go around... It makes everything that you do possible. It makes everything i do possible, - even breathing... because with out money you would eventually die, thus being unable to breathe. Well.. think of the scene as a person. The scene doesnt have a lot of money, so the scene kind of walks around from trash can to trash can picking out garbage to eat on living like a bum because it has no money. Well how do we pick up old mr. scene bum and clean him up, well, we can take him home and give a nice hot shower.... (that costs money btw) - then we can take him and buy him a suit... (that also costs money, hence the word buy)... we can teach him how to act proper and educate him... (time is money too baby) - then we can get his ass a job so that he can have money in his pocket to take care of him self with, and possible take out a girl to build a family with and take care of their asses too - lets talk about how much raising a whole family of scenes cost...

Do you get the analogy? There is no money in the scene anymore. Promoters pay all this money out to put together a party and no one shows up, money is sucked out of that promoter... well this happens and happens and happens until one day the promoter goes, well shit, i cant bring all these cool ass expensive djs... and I cant bring all this super nice and super sweet equipment... and i cant really have a really huge venue for my party either cuz i wont fill it and it will be too spread out... and we end up with what we got now.

So you know what, FUCK YOU. Bring the meat heads, Bring the club kids, Bring the hippies, and stuff them FULL OF DRUGS.... Tell them to bring their fucking friends next time. Because you know what? Its pulling desperately needed FUCKING MONEY into YOUR FUCKING CAUSE@#$#@$@1!~~~~~~~!!!!!!

*ahem*
*clears throat*

Issue NUMBA 3... oh and ive been waiting this whole post for this one...

Bitchin bout the current situation wont ever make anything better, you gotta act to make it better and you gotta have some hope.

Exquees me? Baking powder? PARDON MUAH!???????

ARE YOU FUCKING SERIOUS?

HOW FUCKING DARE YOU SAY THIS TO ME. HOW FUCKING D-A-R-E Y-O-U????

Vicious Cycle
Local Flavor 2
Mix Tape 2 (sorry about that one guys, not my fault)
LIGHT IT UP - you want to know how much money got sucked out of my pocket on that one??? HMM? Let me put it this way, those hot showers how I mentioned that they cost money... remember that? Well it does... and I fucking know this because I HAVENT HAD A FUCKING HOT SHOWER SINCE FUCKING LIGHT IT THE FUCK UP - BECAUSE I DONT HAVE ANY FUCKING MONEY.

Did you go to light it up? How many of you did? - yeah yeah, bad night, to expensive, whatever the reason, not the piont here... We had a bad formula. I'm not blaming anyone but my self. The point of that - DID YOU SEE THE PRODUCTION? Did you hear the music? were. you. there? If you were, then you would know we did exactly EVERYTHING that we said we were going to do, STAMPED. PACKAGED. & DELIVERED. AS PROMISED. NO last minute changes to door price or anything what have you. We are about standing by our word. We are about quality. and we are sure the fuck about bringing this scene back off of life support.

Honor. Unity. Respect. Dignity. Thats what we are about. HURD. If you think those are bad foundation blocks to rebuild this scene off of, then please, by all means, do not support what we are doing. /rant about light it up.

So anyway, for that little fucking comment about how I need to ACT - What the FUCK... have you done, may I FUCKING ASK?

But thats right, all I do is sit here and bitch... because I haven't paid my dues... I havent done SHIT... WHO THE FUCK ARE YOU? I've been partying in this scene since most of you were IN FUCKING GRADE SCHOOL. Do not treat me like some punk that dont know shit about what hes talking about.

Fucking people man... fu ck ing. pe op le.


Look, Im *pretty sure* you didnt mean any disrespect and I'm done taking it personal. Dont take what I said too personally either.

I just had to make my point final so i can stop going back and forth about this. A rant needed to happen based on some of your views that you voiced on our current scene. Because it seems to be an epidemic of people not understanding the concept of support and M-O-N-E-Y. So that needed to be said, and lastly, I needed to make an example to everyone else about knowing your role and being careful about what exactly that you say to whom...

This is just how it is folks, the truth is a cold hearted bitch... sometimes... ah fuck it. I'm sick of typing.

Ps.. I highly recommend reading this thing 3 or 4 times through before responding... anyone please, because if you read this 3 or 4 times and you still dont get where i'm coming from then i just dont fucking know.

If you take nothing else away, gadesxion, drinking and posting is never a good idea

pps.. just had an epiphany on my 10th read through... where is the respect? does anyone even know what respect is anymore? Think about that for a minute... you all run around frontin plur... but how often do you actually apply it... r e s p e c t. Think about it. there is a whole lot of disrespect going on and has been going on for years... no one really respects anyone anymore so it seems... all this drama, all this fighting... all this hating...? I think maybe its time we all re-evaluate whats going on...

[Elekid]

Originally Posted by ReverieXE

DnB/Jungle has gotten the shaft over the years.

2 words, Happy Hardcore.

Originally Posted by Seismic Bass

I dont think some of these cali folks realize just how jaded and crippled our scene is.

They don't. They're spoiled. Not to talk shit or anything. A lot of my friends live out there. They think I'm weird for paying more attention to events there than here.

[Klover]

i just go to dance, hear the music, and meet new people.

sorry for trying to give your scene some support and good words.

i hope this is a blast and works out, cause a revival would be beautiful in the midwest for the scene as a whole.

[sourcechicago]

Originally Posted by Elekid

2 words, Happy Hardcore.



They don't. They're spoiled. Not to talk shit or anything. A lot of my friends live out there. They think I'm weird for paying more attention to events there than here.

Dam

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[ReverieXE]

Originally Posted by Elekid

2 words, Happy Hardcore.

Ahem. Okay. I should've have just left it at a lot of genres have had their fair share of hardships and get the shaft many times. Jungle was only a reference of what I observed coming into the scene back when. And yes... i know happy hardcore gets the shaft as well. I personally got into jungle first and didn't know anything else until exposed to many other parties... and then becoming now a days having a wide spectrum of music I love. Every genre has both great music as well as terrible music.

I am to clarify this point siding with anyone nor pushing any genre or specific dj's on anyone. I was just talking what I have experienced and seen with my own eyes.

And to be honest there's so many topics that need to be address throughout this thread... we have all digressed and deviated onto so many topics it's madness. The bottom line is this... I am happier than anything that in the root of all this we are all talking about the scene and the root of all this is to celebrate music the way it should be. Forget the past, start to build the future of this scene now. I also agree as well that the midwest scene may not currently have the masses, but atleast the core of people who are still in this scene as I am are here for the music, the experience, and close friends more than anything else.

In all honesty, the real argument is Quality over Quantity. The truth in that as well is that if the music is good... and the artistic talent behind that is great than even better.

I no longer know where to begin when talking in this thread... but honestly I stick by with what I originally said a few pages back about the scene being on life support. The scene is different everywhere. And no I'm not talking locally nor nationally... the scene is different globally. We here worry about anti-rave laws or legalities which surpress pulling off quality events while other places in the world banned dancing. Yes I know insane, but it is an actual thing in places... and yet their scene thrives with quality events.

No matter what, We should Respect the scene however it is where it is. Celebration of Music and the freedom to dance under one roof is what we can not forget.

And no to the real people who understand this... you know what I'm talking about. Also, you can't compare things so different such as EDC and MEMF. If this kid wants to go to MEMF, than that's what they want to do and we should repect that. But at the same time... you really can't compare the 2. This I can definitely say with me being to 3 different years of EDC...And yes I've partied in both NorCAL and SoCAL...

It is also true what is said about not being able to fill parties as we all once saw years ago, BUT... atleast the chances are still being taken to try to make things happen. Light It Up may not have had the biggest turnout, but it did atleast have a good setup. Though feeling small at that venue... the lights and decor was still awesome. I only wish there was more genre's represented... my own opinion. But like always I give props to you guys... i wish i was in a position where i could help the scene. the reality of it all, money does exist and does have it's hold on what can and cant' be done... but some where there is a happy medium where the common ground can be found to make this happen. Hopefully something is going to reignite the passion to go venture out and party again... creating those masses needed to fuel the scene here.



[sidenote] the only thing i can offer to the scene is graphic design knowledge. not a shameless plug... just frustrated as well with flier design over the years.

[gadesxion]

I wasnt trying to call you out SB, just basically sayin it can be just as fun if given the chance! that '60 hours of mediocrity' could easily result in some diamonds in the rough which IMHO would make it totally worth it. And as i said its a GAMBLE but the odds are good. Just cuz the artists dont have big names dosent mean they have low quality. Iv hit up some of the other festivals and there is no 'risk' there cuz you know theres top of the line shit with the big names, but alas, this isnt the way this festival is gonna work. Apples and oranges, fine. But i only got one of em so i wanna make sure i like the taste you know?

SB I know youre contributing to this scene outta your own pocket and dammit i am grateful and i respect you a ton dude. Its not you who i was talkin bout in the 'bitching' and 'not acting' (very sorry if it looked like i was targeting you). youre a promotor and youre obviously doin more than anyone for this scene. Im talkin bout all the jaded old balls who sit there and tell me it will 'NEVER be as good as the old days' or the kids who just complain constantly about how the parties go and do NOTHING to make it any better.

Concerning the drugs/attendance.. i know theyre a crucial part of the scene, im not saying all ravers HAVE to be sober or anything, that would make me a hippocrite, its just i have brought the WRONG type of people to parties to try and beef up attendance. But sometimes its people who dont even give a shit about the music playing, who expect a cocktail of drugs when they step in the door, and in some very bad cases, prey on the girls, start fights, deal crap/fake drugs to try and rip people off, and so on. Theres always some.. i think chicago is comparitively doin good compared to other scenes i have partied in. I do my best to bring people out who enjoy the music and the environment and have a chance of becoming regular partiers. Lately cuz iv heard promotors are loosing $ from no attendance iv been spreading the word and bringin out any random soul who is willing. And when i do bring/meet first timers i try and make sure they have a sweet ass time so theyl come back. But a lot of times when i bring people who just arent into it (The music/environment), they just come to 1 party and thats it... I guess im not the one losing money for attendance (or in general) it so i can see where youre coming from.. but hopefully it wont be as much of an issue one day so you can see the relevance of my point here.

If anyone else wants to tear me a new one have at it. Im just trying to highlight and focus on what i like about this scene and how it works. Just cuz other people got it better than me in their scene dosent mean i can't be just as happy and satisfied as they are in mine.

[tommygunz]

Originally Posted by gadesxion

If anyone else wants to tear me a new one have at it.

poopyhead.

[Seismic Bass]

Originally Posted by gadesxion

I wasnt trying to call you out SB, just basically sayin it can be just as fun if given the chance! that '60 hours of mediocrity' could easily result in some diamonds in the rough which IMHO would make it totally worth it. And as i said its a GAMBLE but the odds are good. Just cuz the artists dont have big names dosent mean they have low quality. Iv hit up some of the other festivals and there is no 'risk' there cuz you know theres top of the line shit with the big names, but alas, this isnt the way this festival is gonna work. Apples and oranges, fine. But i only got one of em so i wanna make sure i like the taste you know?

This argument is moot. I already agreed with this point. I'm not even really talking about lineups, because thats all a matter of personal opinion anyway.

SB I know youre contributing to this scene outta your own pocket and dammit i am grateful and i respect you a ton dude. Its not you who i was talkin bout in the 'bitching' and 'not acting' (very sorry if it looked like i was targeting you). youre a promotor and youre obviously doin more than anyone for this scene. Im talkin bout all the jaded old balls who sit there and tell me it will 'NEVER be as good as the old days' or the kids who just complain constantly about how the parties go and do NOTHING to make it any better.

Yes, it did look like you were targeting me with that comment... and after all I've lost recently, you can see how that would have upset me.

Concerning the drugs/attendance.. i know theyre a crucial part of the scene, im not saying all ravers HAVE to be sober or anything, that would make me a hippocrite, its just i have brought the WRONG type of people to parties to try and beef up attendance. But sometimes its people who dont even give a shit about the music playing, who expect a cocktail of drugs when they step in the door, and in some very bad cases, prey on the girls, start fights, deal crap/fake drugs to try and rip people off, and so on. Theres always some.. i think chicago is comparitively doin good compared to other scenes i have partied in. I do my best to bring people out who enjoy the music and the environment and have a chance of becoming regular partiers. Lately cuz iv heard promotors are loosing $ from no attendance iv been spreading the word and bringin out any random soul who is willing. And when i do bring/meet first timers i try and make sure they have a sweet ass time so theyl come back. But a lot of times when i bring people who just arent into it (The music/environment), they just come to 1 party and thats it... I guess im not the one losing money for attendance (or in general) it so i can see where youre coming from.. but hopefully it wont be as much of an issue one day so you can see the relevance of my point here.

I see your point, I was totally there. I was there in th punk scene when we would only support bands that wouldnt sell out... because damn them for trying to make a living doing something they love.... lol. With raves there will always be a shady crowd, there will always be the plur-love-everyone crowd, there will always be the jaded oldschoolers, and with any scene, there are alwasy going to be guys looking to take advantage of girls becuase unfortunately thats just how the word is. You cant fight that and the sooner everyone realizes that the better... just be happy people came, dont try to be picky about who exactly came.... you know?

If anyone else wants to tear me a new one have at it. Im just trying to highlight and focus on what i like about this scene and how it works. Just cuz other people got it better than me in their scene dosent mean i can't be just as happy and satisfied as they are in mine.

glad you didn't take my rant to personally. As i said, I wasnt trying to be a dick, its just im really tired of being a broken record, constantly repeating my self over and over because every one thinks they know it all, you included - but no really, I was 19 once too... I know what its like at that age so I'm not sure why I'm letting it frustrate me. I knew everything when i was 19 too

Originally Posted by Klover

i just go to dance, hear the music, and meet new people.

sorry for trying to give your scene some support and good words.

i hope this is a blast and works out, cause a revival would be beautiful in the midwest for the scene as a whole.

dude u crack me up man... lol seriously... i really dont understand why you think im busting your balls for 'supporting our scene' - i'm not. I'm just busting your balls for your ridiculous comparison (again im being a broken record here)

i did enjoy the 'sorry for trying' comment, thats always a good one

i just go to dance, hear the music, and meet new people.

I'm pretty sure thats why we all do it... but you forgot, hang out with our friends, and rock face

[Hoss Daddy]

electric daisy carnival and ultra are million dollar productions.

million dollar parties, doesn't that have a ring to it? million dollar parties.

as for all this drama, who cares about some dumbass cali kid. we are the midwest.

We will live or we will die but in the end we are the midwest so back the fuck off.