A look at some of the homemade & independent, low circulation, zines from the 1980s and 1990s, specifically focusing on old skool acid house and rave + some graffiti.
Ravescene Magazeen #22 (Aug ’92) highlights the UK underground rave scene with listings from Desire ’92 to Double Dipped, club nights, and promotions, keeping hardcore fans connected to the latest events and music across London and beyond.
Published 28th August 1992 (approx)
Pages 8 (A5 B&W)
Strapline CHARLIE DON’T RAVE
ADVERTS
Eastern Video Arts
In-Ter-Dance presents Rave Of The Races – Friday 11th September @ The Old Lewis Racecourse, Brighton
Double Dipped – Saturday 19th September @ 12 Dalston Lane, London E8
2000 AD Productions present Desire ’92 – Saturday 19th September @ The Tasco Warehouse, London SE28
Club Labrynth, 12 Dalston Lane, London E8
Fascination – Saturday 12th September @ The Warehouse, Plumstead, London SE28
Reincarnation – Beware Of Imitations – 691 Promotions
Ravescene Magazeen #21 (Aug 1992) highlights Cyberpunk on Techno Stilts, the iconic robotic performer seen at major UK raves, alongside listings for Fascination, Pandemonium, Bass Box, and more, showcasing the best of the underground scene.
Published 14th August 1992 (approx)
Pages 12 (A5 B&W)
Strapline STRICTLY UNDERGROUND
FEATURED ARTICLE – CYBERPUNK ON TECHNO STILTS
Robots and raving have become synonymous over the last year, vith the faceless space-age beings becoming characters in their own right. One of the best known must be Bill the Robot alias Cyberpunk on Techno stilts. He was the metallic monster on the Altern 8 video, did the splits on stilts on stage at Reincarnation, and was the enormous 14′ high robot at Raindance. You may have also seen him at Elevation, Telepathy and numerous other events up and down the country. Bill is a raving robot and has been for the last three years. He was working in a non-animal circus until he met a made lazer man and together they developed a lazer robot for Glastonbury.
As techno music has a year 2000 futuristic aspect, so robots and raving are ideal partners. Lots of ravers can dance robotically, but the Cyberpunk has made an art out of raving, roller skating and dancing on stilts. He takes a lot of care over his costumes and much thought has to go into the design and weight is a major consideration. It becomes even more complicated when mirrors are incorporated to deflect the lazer beams. Such shows have to be carefully choreographed with the lazer operator, and the overall effect can be stunning. Look out for him at major events over the summer, but give him plenty of space to get the full effect.
Powerhouse Promotions present Our World
ADVERTS
Calling The Hardcore – Win a pair of tickets to a rave of your choice (Headstrong Promotions)
Pirate Club & Delirium – Every Saturday @ Roller Express
In-ter-dance presents Rave Of The Races – Friday 11th September
Ravescene Magazeen #20 (July 1992) showcases the UK underground rave scene with major events like Desire ’92 and Pandemonium. Brisk’s chart features Hedgehog Affair, Drumatix, and Underground Software, capturing the pulse of hardcore and rave culture.
Published 31st July 1992 (approx)
Pages 8 (A5 B&W)
Strapline STRICTLY UNDERGROUND
ADVERTS
The Pirate Club + Delirium – Every Saturday @ Roller Express
Club Labrynth – Fridays @ 12 Dalston Lane, London E8
Pandemonium ‘Here Comes The Sun’ – Friday August 28th @ Forton Airfield, Shrewsbury, Shropshire
Bass Box – Sunday 30th August @ Unit H9, Lea Valley Trading Estate, Harbet Road, London N18
Premier Hardcore Raveline
Double Dipped – Saturday 15th August @ Four Aces, 12 Dalston Lane, Hackney, London E8
Aztec Promotions present Cyclops at The Rocket – 28th August
Vinyl Mania Records, 214 Northfields Avenue, London W13
Wax City Records, 306 -308 London Road, Croydon
‘Lifeline – Hear It First’, PJA Productions, 30 District Road, Wembley HA0 2LG
London Laser Company
Cyclops at he Rocket
RAVE LISTINGS
World Dance (World Dance & Bliss) Saturday 8th August, Nr New Romney, Kent
Sweet Sensation (Vibes Alive) Friday 7th August. Hackpen Hill (off A4361) Nr Malborough, Wiltshire
Innovation (Vibes Alive) Friday 7th August. The Fitness entre, Thrale Street, Southwark Bridge, London SE1
Infinity Friday 14th August. Aston Villa Sports & Leisure Centre, 8 Aston Hall Road, Birmingham
Mashed (Volitale State) Fnday 7th August. The Tasco Warehouse, 138 Nathan Way, Plumstead, London SE28
Voodoo Saturday 15th August. Bnghton Centre, Sussex
Squeeze (Dance Crazy CC Productions) Bank Holiday Monday August 31st. Queens Hotel, Church Road, Crystal Palace
Pandemonium Friday August 28th Forton Airfield, Shrewsbury, Shropshire
Ravescene Magazeen #19A (July 1992) spotlights new label Bombastic Plastic and its debut release by Citadel of Kaos. Featuring UK rave listings, club nights, and a chart with Acen, Urban Hype, and Bombastic Plastic, the issue captures the underground rave scene in full swing.
Published 17th July 1992 (approx)
Pages 12 (A5 B&W)
Strapline 155 wpm
FEATURED ARTICLE – Bombastic Plastic
‘Keep it underground’ was the parting words of Asides, 1/3 part member of ‘Citadel of Kaos’, the first release for new label Bombastic Plastic which is already creating a nationwide buzz on the strength of 100 test presses alone. We asked Jason, alias Asides, and Jan formerly Sub Terra why Bombastic Plastic was part of this outlook.
‘Things have got to be taken to a more musical point. The guys that are writing the underground stuff are the talented people they are using keyboards while the people these days who are making the money are just using 100% shit samples, that are being twisted or turned. They might sound a bit different but there’s no-one out there writing serious riffs’. Asides continues, ‘the samples have taken over from the music, there needs to be more rhythm, people are just writing what sells’. This is what Bombastic Plastic are reacting against and they herald as their philosophy a distinct sense of value for money. They also aim to keep the financial aspect away from the purity of the music, ‘At the end of the day we just want to get by and survive, do it because you love it’. Although they don’t agree with the high degree of sampling in most Rave/hardcore music (terms they express unease at using and feel the real underground ‘needs no title’) they appreciate the benefit of a sampler if used imaginatively in moderation. The third member Simon, from Earth Leakage Trip, although not present 1s highly acclaimed for his technical ability to construct a sample without the help of a sampler ‘The style of house selling at the moment, Simon could copy and improve that stuff so easily, but he’s just not into it — he’s an originator’. Asides adds amusingly, ‘he’s our secret weapon!’
Judging by the EP, all three possess a wealth of musical talent but what divine inspiration actually fused this alliance into existence? ‘I think we all got together through the problems we’ve had, we’ve ali been knocked — that is why we started up in the first place. You can’t trust anyone out there but we reckon we can tmust each other’. Indeed there has been problems by chance they heard two of their tracks at a pressing plant being pressed up unknowingly by another label, fortunately the situation turned out for the good and a deal was reached with Bombastic Plastic. The name of one of the tracks ‘Space Cakes’ has allegedly been adopted by another well known house outfit and recently a tune destined for Top 40 status used one of Asides samples! But with a possible Fabio remix of the EP and a one track signing to Telstar, they remain optimistic.
‘Out of everything that has happened, it has put this label together. They say something good always comes out of something bad, and we are turning bad things into something positive’.
Citadel Of Kaos
ADVERTS
Fascination – 8th August 1992 @ The Warehouse, 138 – 140 Nathan Way, Plumstead, London SE28
JPS Lighting Ltd
Core Promotions & Midi Management Lrd present ‘The Prodify’ @ Basildon Festival Hall
Shrine presents Sanctuary – Saturday 8th August @ Mallard Park Warehouse, Peterborough
Double Dipped – Saturday 15th August @ 12 Dalston Lane, Hackney, London E8
Labrynth / 2000 AD Productions present Desire ’92, Saturday 15th August @ The Tasco Warehouse
Premier Hardcore Rave Line
The Pirate Club, Delirium Promotions & Rave In Peace present Smiley Revival Party @ Roller Express
Volatile State – Friday 7th August @ The Tasco Warehouse
Bass Box – Sunday 30th August @ Unit H9, Hastingwood Trading Estate, London N18
London Laser Company
Erotica At Grange Farm – Every Saturday @ High Road, Chigwell, Essex
World Dance – Saturday 8th August @ Lydd International Airport, Kent
Vinyl Mania Records, 214 Northfields Avenue, London W13
Wax City Records, 306 -308 London Road, Croydon
PRS Productions present Shock To The System – Saturday 1st August @ The Tasco Warehouse
Aquarius – Every Saturday @ The Rocket, 166 – 220 Holloway Road, London N7
JPS Lighting Ltd
RAVE LISTINGS
World Dance (World Dance & Bliss) Saturday 8th August. Lydd International Airport, Kent
Ravescene Magazeen #18 (July 1992) covers charity raves for Telethon, major UK events like Dance Nation and Fantazia, and under-18s nights at Roller Express. Featuring club listings, record stores, and live PA sets, it captures the UK rave scene at its peak.
Published 3rd July 1992 (approx)
Pages 8 (A5 B&W)
Strapline TURN ON TUNE IN READ ON
FEATURED ARTICLE – Telethon
Various events are taking place to raise money for this annual appeal. It just shows how far raving has been accepted into the mainstream when there is the possibility that raves could be shown on TV alongside baths of baked beans, sponsored walks and knit-ins! Biggest rave events taking place are the Dance Nation all nighter at Weston Park, Shifnal in Shropshire who offer a major DJ line up, as well as a fashion show and a mellow Mixmag tent. They have a license for 8,000 and hope to be donating £25,000 from the profits to the appeal. Info on 0902 29674. In London, at the Roller Express, Edmonton, Upfront Promotions present Meridian from Noon to Midnight, especially for the under 18’s. Top line DJ’s, full production, and loads of PA’s including Wishdokta, Peter Bouncer and Reel II Reel. The tickets are priced at £10 and all the proceeds are going to Telethon. Phone 0279 413077 or 0831 174620 for your nearest ticket agent.
MS Promotions Republic of Love
ADVERTS
In-ter-dance / Sterns Productions presents Club Night Malarke – Every Friday @ Basildon Festival Hall
MS Promotions Republic Of Love – Every Friday @ Republic Of Love
Labrynth / 2000 AD Productions present Desire ’92, Saturday 18th July @ The Tasco Warehouse
The Illuminati Parte – Saturday 18th July @ Roller Express
The Bass Box, Lea Valley Trading Estate, London N18
Double Dipped – Saturday 18th July @ Four Aces, 12 Dalston Lane, London E8
Unity Records, 47 Beak Street, London W1R 3LE
Vinyl Mania, 214 Northfields Avenue, London W13
Jem 77 – Never Felt This Way / Pure (Live PA @ Elevation July 10th)
RAVE LISTINGS
Double Dipped (Ravescene) Saturday 18th July. Four Aces, 12 Dalston Lane, London E8
Desire ’92 Saturday 18th July. The Warehouse, Nathan Way, Plumstead, London SE28
