This Is Not a Rave: In the Shadow of a Subculture

Debbie Fyfe is the reference/Internet resources librarian in the
Information Services Division of the Edmonton Public Library.

Twentysomething Tara McCall provides a candid look at the international
rave and club scene. McCall’s M.A. thesis was titled “Barbie’s
Wearing ‘Phat’ Pants: Rave Culture, Emergence to Convergence,” and
she has been part of the rave scene in Toronto for over a decade.

Mention the word “rave” these days and you’ll get a mixed
response from mixed generations. Raves can be viewed as a fun “dance
playground” that give youth a space to let loose and enjoy a creative
outlet. On the other hand, many people see raves as dens of decadence,
full of crass hypno beats, illicit drugs, and strung-out teens.

McCall steers us down the middle of this road as she explores the
history of rave and club culture from its early days in 1960s London and
Ibiza, Spain, to its present-day incarnation—“mega-raves” that
have upwards of tens of thousands of attendants. McCall discusses unique
rave elements (fashion, music, dance, etc.) and the current mass
commercialization of raves. She takes a brutally honest look at the
common rave drugs (how they are used, why ravers use them, and some of
the problems associated with their use), devotes a chapter to anecdotal
drug stories, and includes a factual appendix of recreational drugs and
their side effects.

This well-researched, attractively designed book is recommended for
anyone interested in rave culture.