Freitag, 1. August 2014

Anarchist Techno

there have been attempts to strip techno, hardcore, and similiar music, of all politics in the last years. while techno in the beginning had strong roots in the working class, in countercultural movements, in freaks and outsiders, and in many cases in overt politics, this had tried to be removed eventually. and totally.
politics, anarchism, are now despised in techno. most people who listen to it don't want to hear anything about it. they hate it, it annoys them, they dislike it. if it's any politics related to "the left" or anarchism, though - right wing politics are accepted in the hardcore mileu, and eagerly passed on. it is said that "the music" and "the party" should be enjoyed for what it is, and not be about "politics". as if music could exist in a vacuum! you won't solve the troubles of society, or of your live, by merely escaping into music - not in this way, at least. and apart from that, politics and these escapees have a common goal - anarchism shows you how to escape your troubles and those of the social, and not just for an hour by an ecstasy fueled high, but permanently.
but we also see a typical 20th century dichotomy here; that of party, fun, fulfillment, highs vs boring grey "politics" - but this should be left in the 20th century. dreams, social reality, politics, and thrills don't have to be opposites, contradictionary terms anymore.
so leave the unpolitical dancefloorhead behind - on to the future!
so the situation right now is, that techno is indeed a completely depoliticised scene (apart from the right wing politics i mentioned). it's funny that in rock, punk, guitar hardcore it is still possible to put a political message across, and people accept it and appreciate it and receive it, and in techno this is almost impossible anymore, in a genre that used to be so ahead of the others.
so, let's get active. switch this. create political techno again. create anarchist hardcore again.
i know a lot of you are out there. there is a lot you can do. first, realise that we anarchist types are not some isolated flakes in the electronic / hardcore world. spread the message. get involved. do some tracks, do vocals, start a zine, anarchist techno parties, whatever. the possibilites are plenty. your imagination is the only limit. so let's get up! take a stand for our beliefs.
create anarchist techno.
the "unpolitical dancefloorheads" can stay in their consumer techno amphetamine hole for a while longer. we don't care. but we want to create political, social and - dreamer music again.

Art And Utopia

there are people who suggest music to me, various styles, the established genres, the "established niches"; they say the music is really nice, good produced, exciting, well-made, interesting, enjoyable; good to party too, good to chill too, or good to listen to in other occurances.
but, when i listen to this music, i ask myself, what has this music to do with me, how does it relate to me, how does it relate to my live, my heart; to my dreams, my desires, my thoughts, my wishes; how does it enable me to change my life, to rise above the circumstances; how does it enable me to reach utopia; how does it enable me to reach my dreams? and does it give me new dreams, now wondrous thoughts, adventure, the wonderful?
there is music like that. there was music like that. but most music, today, or maybe in the past too, is not like it. but there also is different music.
the hippies thought their music could change the world. to overthrow the establishment. to create an utopia. the punks thought they could fight society and win.
where are these artists now? where are the bands? is there an artist who honestly, deeply thinks his music could change society from the bottom up? to reach utopia? that, by his music, he could create a better world?
no, current music, current artists, are devoid of these things. because these ideas and ideals are dead for them. because any ideal, that is not "money" or "success" is dead to them. soulless music by soulless artists for soulless consumers.
who still thinks there is a revolution, of society, a political and cultural revolution, in the west possible by music and counterculture? no one? if not, why not?
or if that is too "political" for you - then, to make a better world, on a large scale, by music and art?
or at least to change your life and that of others - to a wondrous, sweet, beautiful, perfect thing?
no, these ideas seem to be gone. because people are without vision and concept now - or rather, without knowledge and insight. these ideas are still true. the ideals are still true. you can reach utopia, a revolution, anarchy - if only for yourself. it is possible.
i painted a bleak picture - i am sure there are some artists out there who still do it for the "cause". and i know there are at least still listeners - the word "listeners" is to passive, i say activists - who believe art can bring a change, and believe in revolution and anarchy, or at least in utopia, and in ideals.
and we might very likely grow in numbers soon.
the point is not to give up - but to hope, to be sure, and to be active.

True Summer Of The 90s - Fuck Arte, Let's Dance

in response to some of the misrepresentations of the 90s techno, hardcore and rave movements of the 90s as shown on the arte TV shows around the "summer of the 90s".

on the weekend 26/27.07.2014 arte tv showed their series "summer of the 90s", with also a focus on what they thought was the techno scene of the "90s". though, mysteriously, they seemed to most part to completely forget the rave, hardtrance, gabber, speedcore music that ruled the 90s in europe during that time.
while obviously speedcore was more an underground phenomenon, gabber, hardcore and rave enticed millions of people during these days. and speedcore, if not as famous, was important for several subcultures too. but for arte this obviously never existed, never did take place, instead for them the sound was all some sort of plaything of now hipster and chic "dance" producers who they interviewed in their expensive suits.
fuck you arte, yes, fuck you.
this is to show some true music "of the 90s".
shouts out to all ravers, gabbers and hardcore freaks, from back then, and from the current days.

chapter 1: hardtrance and rave

rave peaked around the years 1993-1995. millions loved these sounds and partied to them. notably for rave and hardtrance were complex synth-driven melodic and harmonic structures, undermined by powerful and frantic beats. almost a combination of 70s synth avantgarde with a jackhammer sound.

tracks:

legend b - lost in love
quench - dreams
genetic waste - palace of wisdom
state of mind - our destination

chapter 2: hardcore and gabber

hardcore and gabber didn't stand back in popularity compared with rave. every second teenager loved that sound (i suppose? at least everyone around here) and the largest raves and techno events usually had a hardcore floor too.
when techno got "chic" around the mid of the 1990s, the "scene" was quickly to jettison this hardcore heritage though.

tracks:

strontium 9000 - dynamic fall out
chosen few - after hourz
wedlock - ruffneck
wedlock - void sector

chapter 3: speedcore and noizecore

both a reaction to the commercialization of hardcore and rave, and also a feat to take it to the further extremes, speedcore remained underground, but had a dedicated following in the 90s and let to some wonderful productions.

tracks:

noize creator - gangsta
s 37 - crush your mind
dj tron - fuck that happy shit
rage reset - unknown structure