In my day we partied hard, unlike the youth-of-today who are all a bunch of pussies!

No, only kidding youth-of-today, you guys are doing Durban proud. But let's take a moment here to reflect on some of the clubs and events which shaped the current landscape, and for the mature readers let's enjoy some memories. These are flashback pamphlets from many, many years ago which I collected and stored with a hundred other trinkets in a shoebox; patiently waiting for a day like this where I get to take everyone skipping joyously down memory lane.

Every week I'll post a new one, until they run out. You're welcome to send in your old memorabilia if you have! So let's kick it off:

The Camel Experience parties were always epic! The most memorable one has got to be the playhouse rave, where the huge dance floor was carpeted and had a ceiling of fake stars to rave the night away under. House DJ's would spin tracks for hours, sweaty Vicks-soaked bodies squirming and pulsing in the crazy steam room of a dance floor. There were performance artists around every corner, entertaining the revelers with their trippy acts and outfits. The dancers would dress in everything from Big Bird costumes to traditional Zulu loincloths, and blow on their whistles to get the crowd revving, all while synchronized gymnasts would perform ball and stick routines around a fountain next to the bar.

Huge projectors sent colourful imagery flicking across the outside walls of the playhouse, while massive search lights beamed into the sky making the party visible from Umhlanga to Toti! People dolled themselves up in the most luminous stretch fabric and dyed leather they could find, and held pink and blue glow sticks in their hands while dancing, leaving trails in the minds of those who were indulging in the elicit substances that were so popular in 90’s rave culture.

These awesome parties were aborted when cigarette companies lost the right to advertise... also someone died of a drug overdose and there was a massive public outcry.

This culture used to be so popular, but nowdays you don’t hear about rave parties anymore. The term has fallen out of use, to be replaced with a very worthy successor... long live Elektroclash!