From: mpisano@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu (Michael A Pisano)
Subject: REACTOR Cyberave Review
Organization: The Ohio State University
Distribution: oh
Date: Sun, 10 Jan 1993 20:29:04 GMT

This past weekend was a groundbreaking event in the underground scene in 
Dayton, and for that matter in Ohio in general.

REACTOR was a huge success in many ways. First of all the DJ's were all fairly 
"unknown" as far as the techno scene goes. Except for Thome T. and DJ Mind 
Candy about six newcomers got to tear up the tables last Friday.

The music was, for the most part, tha hard pumpin' mental shit a ala Rotterdam
and Brooklyn, pound-pound-thump-thump-is -that my brain vibratin'! Although the
mixing at a few points was a little off (not much though) the music more than 
made up for it.

I got there around 11:30. The venue was a secluded party hall just west of a 
huge factory in Dayton, near Huber Heights. The location in itself was the best
I have yet seen in my young Raving life of 3-or-so years. The hall was sparse 
except for two strobes on either sound stack, a small disco ball, and a 
spinning dance-floor standard. There was plenty of smoke after 2:00, before it 
was a little too clear for my tast, and that made the atmosphere perfect for 
really getting disoriented in the music. A small trampoline was set up under 
the disco ball for the more acrobatic ravers. \

The bar at the back was stocked with a full smart bar (more flavors than I've
ever seen, to boot) as well as beer, water, and pop. You also had the option ov
bringing in whatever, which I wasn't aware before hand. Candy and gum were
available for .25 (a nice touch, I so often want to chew, or suck, or whatever
as the night wears on, okay so it's a tiny detail but...)

BANG Instant Rave Gear and ERP! Rave Softwear had booths set up. I didn't ask
how much business they did but they seemed as happy as usual just being there.

There was a huge outdoor hearth just outside of the hall and a cozy hot fire 
going to dry off, although I'm not sure it was wise to venture out in the 20 
degree weather after sweating your ass off inside the hall. I did it anyway 
(don't tell mom) and it was fun chillin' out around the fire (literally!) with 
some wide-eyed, wide-pupiled ravers, chattin' and smilin'.

There was a live act added at the last minute (the lowpoint of the evening, 
IMHO) SONIK, I think he was called, consisting of one person. His music was 
kickin' hard techno trance but it took him so long between songs (to reload 
samples and sequences, I suspect) that he lost the energy he built up at the 
end of each song. He also did a lot of amaturish chatting with the crowd during
these loadup points that really blew it for me. Things like "How'd you like 
that one?" and I've saved the best for last, as they say." There was also a 
a couple ritualistic encore-jonesin' happening that really didn't seem to 
belong, given the energy that had been established by the crowd and DJ's before
he came on. I'd like to see him in a non-rave context, or in a 
chill-out/performance room. IMHO that is the only time "live" techno acts
really work in the rave atmosphere, without bringing the dance energy to a 
screeching halt. But that's just my opinion (please no flames)

Near 3:00 or so the crowd started thinning out a bit leaving a concentrated 
group of dedicated ravers on the floor. Lots of playing was going on involving 
baloons and doing rave-laps around the hall, etc. One guy kept jummping in my 
face out of the fog screaming  and shakin' his head fun-dope-stupid style. One 
person was wearing a gas mask and hooded sweatshirt who would come into view 
every so often (another fun freik-out touch). All in all a great group of 
really friendly people who weren't afraid to "play nice" with the other girls 
and boys. Of course ther were a few small groups of people that seemed like 
they didn't belong there, like they just found out about it and didn't have 
anything better to do after 2:30 when the beavercreek southern-fried rock bars 
closed, but that is virtually inevitable at events that take money at the door.
(Yet another commercial for MAP POINTS !)

All in all a great time. The organizers say they are going to try to have one 
of these events each month, or maybe every two, at the same location. Next time
they promice more spectacular effects and lighting; since this was the first 
one, they had to keep it minimal. Look for the next one on your favorite rave 
channel :).

mic E p.