August 1, 2009 (Issue #1) – By Anthony Data
Recently, the “rave” scene has come under fire once more after local media outlets conducted several unfortunate news stories due to a few incidents that have happened this past year. Several individuals attending electronic music events have been caught using/distributing controlled substances; namely MDMA, also known as “ecstasy”. This brought back memories of the crack down on our scene several years ago that nearly brought a complete end to events here in EP. In the past, partygoers did not have the means of getting across to those on the other side of this dispute. One of the goals for ECB Mag is to give the scene the voice that it needs when facing situations like this. So I invite everyone on all sides of this subject to continue reading with an open mind.
Around 2001-2002, the “rave” scene was brought under scrutiny after news media outlets presented stories focusing on drug use at electronic music events, specifically the use of ecstasy. What caused the media to focus on this subject? I’m not going to lie. Although it was completely exaggerated and blown out of proportion, ecstasy was being used at events. The true cause of the focus was something El Paso news media groups are notorious for; taking the subjects other larger and more successful news agencies are reporting on and twisting them around just enough to avoid a plagiarism suit. It was being reported on a large scale by news groups such as 20/20, Dateline, LA Times, etc., so, as always has been with our “original thinkers” in charge of these groups, El Paso had to follow suit.
Essentially, due to the uneducated, ill-informed, clown-shoes “journalism” our oh-so-experienced local news media agencies were doing (and have always done) on our scene, the electronic music culture here was nearly completely snuffed out. But in all fairness, you have to look at it from their side. These bored ass, unmotivated, miserable people never really have anything good to report on anyway (not that it matters because they would just screw it up if they did). To make their jobs interesting and make a feeble attempt to justify their paycheck, why not just use other more successful newsgroup stories and act like it has some semblance here in El Paso?
Many people on the outside looking in do not understand our love and appreciation of the music and it is extremely hard for them to believe that there is a whole subculture established because of it. Due to the shoddy reporting which created hysteria through lies, the concerned members of the El Paso City government had a false and completely manufactured impression on what was really going on here in El Paso and they felt compelled to do something to address this problem. The solution they came up with was to deny area promoters the permits needed to throw legal parties. When the promoters did manage to do everything in a legitimate manner and obtain the permits, the police raided the event before it even really had a chance to get started. This resulted in the near total halt of the scene and a rise of events in Juarez, where underage kids were attending parties at bars that allowed them to drink. Did the drug use end there? Nope. The kids doing it were just able to get it over there far easier and cheaper than they got it here. Did any of the local media groups cover the fact that the drugs were still being used, but that due to their actions the party kids were going to another country to use it AND drink large amounts of alcohol while doing it? No. Did the El Paso City government take measures to curve this evolved and worsened problem? No. Way to make a situation worse and completely ignore it when it‘s off your doormat.
One thing these outsiders looking in fail to realize is that the vast majority of people attending these events, the ones that truly enjoy the music and culture, are not taking any mind altering substances. They are perfectly content just going to events to hear talented DJs spin great music. Only a small percentage of people are using drugs, and I believe they would be using them whether they were at a party or at home.
The last thing promoters want is people bringing illegal substances into their events. It makes them look extremely bad and it places them in a legal bind. They do not provide venues for them to take drugs and they take the proper measures to try to stop people from using them there. The U.S. is losing the “war on drugs”, with traffickers bringing in drugs by the thousands of pounds, but they want to hang promoters/club owners with “Crack House” laws when they are doing everything within their power to stop these kids from sneaking in drugs? That makes sense.
I’ve literally been at Cohen Stadium for a Power 102 event where people right next to me blatantly pulled out a joint and started smoking it. Same situation on the dance floor at Speaking Rock. I’ve also seen cocaine being snorted off of counter tops in restrooms at nightclubs. Ecstasy use is not only limited to electronic music events. Hip Hop events, hosted by area promoters, are starting to see a rise in the use of ecstasy. If drug use is a wide spread problem at many social events, why is the focus being placed on electronic music events?
As per the individuals that are bringing this undeserved attention to our scene; stay home. If you have a problem with needing to do this to enjoy yourselves, fix it. You have no right to come to the parties and screw it up for us in the long run. Trust me, you can’t do that crap forever. When you are done with it, what will you be left with? A damaged scene and no more headliners due to the fact that parties will be no more.
Oh, and to “Paul”, our supposed little friend that probably thought he was pretty f’n cool by misrepresenting the true essence of our scene to that certain news agency: F*CK OFF. You have no business even going to parties if that is your mind set. This may be some stupid little fad to you that you will grow out of (if you ever grow up), but there are DJs, promoters, and party kids that genuinely love the scene and we would all be devastated if it was gone due to little punk ass kids like yourself. It is more than just a Friday night for us. It’s our lives.
To the media agencies reporting on this subject: There may have been some anger behind some of the words put in this story, but I can not help but feel that way. Something we loved was completely taken away from us and you all were the cause of that. All that we ask, if you are going to continue your coverage, is to do your jobs right, do some research, find out the facts, interview the people that aren’t using the drugs, and watch what you put out. Words can be powerful tools. They can create or destroy. Go Back…
