alphamale7

I just learned of the new line up at Sound Factory yesterday. I was in shock, very surprised, and also knew this day was coming. Here's why. I first started going to Factory back in the spring of '98. I walked into that place, and never before had I seen anything like it. Besides the beautiful women everywhere, what really got me was the music. What I paid attention to was how everyone was dancing. It was a carnival type atmosphere. Popsicles and ice cream were sold off an ice cream cart right where the new stairs are that go up to the 4th floor. Regardless if drag queens were your thing, they added flair and color to an already upbeat environment. Everyone was in a good mood. People laughed, and most importantly, people danced...everywhere...allll the time. There was no standing around. The crowd was older. Fridays were for the kiddies, and the Saturday crowd was in their mid-twenties to early 30's. Fights were less frequent, incidents were less frequent, and I was told while it wasn't the stuff from the early 90's, the ecstacy wasn't all that bad. People, being a little older and much wiser, were cautious inside that place, making sure nothing stupid happened when "friends" were looking for party favors. JP's sets were great. He still fell into funks now and then and you were wondering where he was going, but overall he played very very well. THEN, people started playing with glass. And over the next few years, slowly, the club started to die. Every one of us has had a conversation similar to what I am about to write. I know, because when I am in Factory I either hear people saying it, or I have the conversation myself. How many of you agree with this statement: It started to become more about the drugs than it did the music. Anyone that used to go way back when can attest to this. Party favors were secondary to the atmosphere. Having a good time and laughing was first and foremost and that is why when you walked into that place you just wanted to start moving. Once Crystal entered the scene, I can remember walking into that place and seeing everyone standing around. No one was dancing, and it wasn't because of the music either. People stare a lot more. Ultimately, the vibe was lost. Crystal is not a happy drug. It makes people wacky and wigged out. Sure it gives you energy, it's supposed to, it's speed. But that kind of energy just allows you to EXIST there longer. It doesn't mean you are celebrating. Then in this "Tina Transition," a couple trannies thought it would be cute to take a guy in the bathroom while he was half-conscious, and mug him. They took his money, and he ended up complaining, which is why, for a very long time, trannies were not allowed in there anymore, except perhaps for the privileged few. The ice cream cart disappeared and it was moved into a freezer over at one of the bars. We, as a whole don't dance as much, and because the older crowd was looking for a good time first and drugs second, well they started to disappear and let the whole thing go, thereby turning the club over to the kiddies, who in turn, on their watch, let the drugs get the best of them. The got stupid and dealt in the open. The club was closed down for several weeks. Ohhhh they loved their Tina, and all of a sudden, more fights break out. Nobody is dancing as much, and it turns into a hang out where music happens to be playing. Crystal is not a happy drug. It is speed. It makes the mind race, and takes the person using it on a roller coaster ride. It keeps people up for days on end, long after the club is closed. Sure, it gives you more energy, but look what THAT type of energy did. And it is a shame too. Richard did a great job of renovating the club to make it what it is. The sound in there is incredible. The 4th floor was opened. It is a great space, arguable the best in the city. JP did his part to. As an artist, over 5 years I have watched him mature, and now his sets are mind blowing. Buy or Sell We All Go To Hell reads the sign. ANd we did. We forced a club owner to search for a different crowd for his venue. We lost our place, and the era is over.