Mensa Lord of the Rave (Sterns) - full documentary

[@stevebieniek]

First went to Sterns in 1992, when I was at Solent University. Went with a few raving friends. The Underground room in the basement was the most amazing place, with an amazing vibe and light show. Coming down those steps and feeling the heat hit you along with the bass, with the condensation hitting you like rain. December 1992 I met my partner on the dance platform in the Underground, we're still together 30 years later! I'll always have love in my heart for that place xx Thank you Sterns Crew

[@barryiwhite]

Love this story

[@DJDaveParks]

I first went to Sterns at 11, a chance to dance, not inter-dance, those days set the foundation for a lot in my life, we were very lucky to be a part of it.

[@djb3488]

@@DJDaveParks 11 years old ? ffs 😂

[@DJDaveParks]

@@djb3488haha yeah it was the under 18s event on the Friday, think you were supposed to be over 15, not like they can really ask an 11 yo for ID tho, whats he gunna do? pull out a pube?

[@smileyj8095]

I met my husband in the Garage room at Sterns in 1992 and still together ❤ a very special place was Sterns.

[@catherinejones9711]

So many memories there’s me at 25.46 I used to dance at the bottom of the stairs to the underground or in the garage room- spent nearly every weekend of 91/92 @ Sterns, along with White Sugar, Bentleys, Fantazia etc etc then onto The Manor, Zap, upto Moneypenny’s & Wobble in Brum - had a blast - still love to dance now think we were so lucky to be part of it!!

[@Venmaylove]

That's wild that you see yourself in this.

[@dazzag]

Those of us who were lucky enough to be teenagers in the 90s know just how good it was. If you were at a night, you knew everyone else there had to put the effort in to be there. Not a single social media bellend in sight, just party people enjoying the moment and all there for the love of the music. It was pure, not vacuous and shallow like it is today. No phones, no fakeness and no dickhead influencers.

[@ItsRainingSteak]

bet the x was elite quality too

[@gcostanza2115]

Your spot on there, all done without social media to. I'm not a fan of Facebook and similar social media platforms, and I don't use them. The downside of not using them, is that I do miss out on some of the parties that are arranged for old school heads via those platforms now. I like that clubs like Bargain/Panorama bar in Berlin don't allow people to take pictures on their mobile phones, clubs should be a private space to party in, and kick away the troubles of the world for a night or two.

[@dazzag]

@@ItsRainingSteak It was. Cheap too. £3 a pill and they were damn good.

[@dazzag]

@@gcostanza2115 Social media has its place. But there was something about being part of something that you and a few hundred others strangers put the effort in to be part of. Hard to explain, something you had to experience to fully understand. There was a single shared objective and it was always about the music. Never about finding the right lighting for your Instagram post or only being there to promote yourself as something you're not. It was far simpler and genuine. When I see some of the Boiler Room sets for example, the majority of people are stood still with their phone recording the moment instead of being part of it. You can't do both. Times change, I get that, I'm just glad I got to be part of it when it wasn't so vacuous.

[@gcostanza2115]

I agree, and you’re right about the Boiler Room shows, most of them look like they are there because they think they should be there. A lot of the music can be quite bland on Boiler Room to. Back in the late 80’s and early 90’s the music was varied, and some of the best tunes all stood out as individual pieces.

[@skindawg3615]

The best times for me where them times. i loved the dark and dingy no dress code no trouble just love. All together sweating and gurning. 88 2 92 the best music. Love this. A time machine is needed.

[@mikotondria]

This was, in all senses of the word, magic, for me. As a 20 year old, I was in the midst of all this just down the coast in Bournemouth at Madisons, and a few other places, but Madisons at this time came the closest to the peak times when rave went into clubs, and the word Sterns had a power that nothing does in the 30 years since. The music, the lights, the sounds of the club in the background of the footage put me right back there then - joy, delight, chaos, sweat, an uneasy frission of paranoia about the old Bill, only just getting away with things - the music getting faster and the crowds getting bigger, and everything getting out of control. Of meeting thousands of people in the tribe, those jammered conversations in the toilet, the high speed walk around the clubs for no reason, with weightless legs and endless things to say to everyone about it all. That massive tune that you hear echoing down the club to you, heading back to the dancefloor in the most serious way possible, a bloom of strobe and you catch someone's eye across a sea of arms and smoke, and for a 1/10th of a second you make a timeless connection, it's easy to believe you're all psychic - what's happening to all our souls all at once is expressed in all of it - the music, the dancing, the attitude, feeling this moment in history turn around us, feeling its impermanence, feeling gratitude and comfort and reassurance that there is this love and all these magical people in the world, all here in this scene, taking a great leap forward. That's the gut punch of joy and liberation and submission to this huge fundamental ancient energy we felt in the music from the sweetest piano riff to the alien bleeps, the tribal rhythms and jazz and roof-shaking sub-bass, it was like the entirety of human culture and musical art was being gathered and reworked and delivered in a way that was only possible now, in this scene, with this new technology, to all of us. It was a privilege, it was messy, we did it for as long as we could, careers abandoned, plans and personalities gone by the wayside, it was a new world - it felt like the global future we craved - connected to people around the world. The same basic human desire that created this internet, to share art and meaning and make sense of the separateness that comes baked into our humanity. To have drunk from that well of love and expanded experience and joy and transcendence even just once makes it a life worth having lived. To have been at a place where that whirlwind sucked you in and up and into the stratosphere is a magical legend that beats any grand tales of fiction, and having been so high and so far and so loved makes the life after difficult to incorporate; it's alien and cold to reengage as a striving consumer of trinkets, to commit 24/7 to a strict and joyless strategy of mornings and meetings and commuting and so little music. Having to be enclosed and to isolate and use music as an escape from the over-connection we swim and drown in now. But, that wide-eyed raver is still in us, and whenever we can it is possible to have some inner-raver therapy; talk to yourself across the years, listen to them - they know that anyone who has seen and felt and been to the places they have can never be lost or alone or overrun with saddness because we've seen the top of the mountain, we've touched the clouds, we known that above and beneath this, and after this and before it all, we really are connected to each other, we are each other, and nothing can unprove that, no grief or despair can make it untrue - we need to live that truth and show it and be it to everyone in our lives, as strange as it seems to not be in those clubs anymore, to not be surrounded by our tribe - we are out in the world now, on our missions - the music is still ringing in your ears, you've only just got dry clothes on. xx

[@divinewind7405]

Beautifully written. 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🎵🎶

[@colingram8785]

astounding commentary, one of the best things I've read on YT. Encapsulates all that I feel about Rave culture and its history and the small sample sized experience I had of it too, coming through a bit later but experiencing all this at that time too. Maximum respect, you should write a book about it, I would buy it :)

[@stevenadams3533]

@Foster Twelvetrees and remix at the time then the manor later on

[@paullewis1295]

Stunning post and extremely eloquent. We were in the Soton Crew and were good mates with the Lost it Crew from Bournemouth. Spent many a night in Madisons and Sterns. Southampton had no hardcore club, so we travelled. I remember many after club parties in the New Forest. The Adrenalin Nights at Southampton Uni were excellent too. There's a couple of videos on youtube of Adrenalin 2.11 and 2.12 in the Uni student union. Such great days, never to be repeated. It was magic. Maybe we met, maybe we exchanged eye contact in the moment. Rave on brother....

[@paullewis1295]

@Foster Twelvetrees Could have been our gaff? Who knows, such a long time ago and hazy memories. We certainly went to Maddies on many, many, occassions. Stu J was a Southampton legend and was resident DJ at Madisons. One time when we were pretty skint and my car was broken down we jumped the train!! Can't remember how we got back..there were alway spaces in cars of newly made friends!

[@Sol-Cutta]

Bought a 52yr old some very nostalgic feelings , a little tearful for the huge huge amount of people now past. So happiness but sadness too..but great docu. Thankyou.

[@kr4scouser]

I feel so privileged to have been part of the rave scene. 88-93 best times of my life

[@benji.B-side]

Yep, same here. The very early days as it was starting in 88-89 were really special. I lived life to the full.

[@CornwallGBF]

ditto 88 to 93

[@mad-pit3832]

I remember me and a mate bought an old cub 90 off some old blokes drive to get here once, we had to pump up the tyres and it hardly moved. But some bastard stole it from the car park and we had to walk back to Brighton. We left at 2am and didn't get back until 9am. We went all the way along the seafront but for some reason we was not tired at all and ended up back at carl coxes old flat up by Brighton station through a couple of girls we new. The zap and concord had some good nights back then, Brighton was an amazing place to go to uni, the partys around that area are legendary. Tazmania on Hastings pier was another good night and of course the rhythm station in aldershot. Origin at Brighton corn exchange was another one. Man i loved that city, its been over 25 years since i was back there though. R.I.P MENSA THE MEMORIES WILL LAST FOREVER. CANT FORGET MURRAY FROM DREAMSCAPE WHO DIED IN THE SAME TRAGIC WAY.

[@Venmaylove]

My issue is that you're a muscle dog type person and not a labrador person. Are you still hanging around underclass people?

[@divinewind7405]

🎛🎵WOW. F***IN BRILLIANT DOCUMENTARY. JUST CRIED MY WAY THROUGH THE WHOLE THING; NOSTALGIA & GRATITUDE FLOODING THROUGH ME; SO GLAD TO HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS. I'M 50 THIS YEAR AND IF YOU HANDED ME A DOVE, PINK CALYPSO, DISCO BISCUIT ETC I'D DROP IT RIGHT NOW (IT'S CURRENTLY 6AM IN A WINTERY UK). NEVER STOPPED LOVING THIS ERA OF MUSIC (89-94), LOVE LOVE LOVE TO ALL YOU OLD RAVERS OUT THERE; THE BEST. 🤪🙏🎛🎶

[@chrishorn4766]

Rhubarb and custards ....

[@robbiecrosswaite6435]

So glad I was born in 74. We were the luckily ones. 17yrs old spending every weekend in that house. Never really appreciated how iconic Sterns was back then

[@there_is_no_switch]

I live in America and just told an American friend I used to go - he's into modern EDM - and unbelievably he'd heard of Sterns!

[@MichaelSwinhoe]

the after Parties were the highlights of the raves in the UK. going to a nice country house was awesome and then walking back to pick up your car to drive home the next day. no mobiles, no violence just dancing

[@seanryan9846]

Fantastic film. Privileged to have been able to go to Sterns every weekend. Very special club. 58 now! I hope all the ravers from back then are still enjoying the music today. RIP Mensa. 🐐

[@charliedontsurf-y1d]

It's absolutely scandalous that this is only one of a very few documentaries on the rave scene, for such a massive movement that it was to a lot of people as us the rave generation, it was just as culturally significant and iconic as the the birth of rock and roll in the fifties and the sixties hippie revolution yet it is hardly documented and written about in book form, we need more documentaries like this HARDCORE for LIFE and beyond.......

[@A_Pt_9298]

I think you need to do a bit more research on the subject mate, there are plenty

[@NunoRufas101]

@@A_Pt_9298There are many about the music and a few BBC misaligned alarmist shows. Good one's about the rave scene and how it came up to be are not as plenty as that....

[@NunoRufas101]

@@ElectronicMusicUnderground Thanks for sharing :)

[@trinderfilms1357]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y3SUiauJgLaHopo

[@StudioMagnetique]

Amazing documentary. Time for this 45yr old ex-raver to head off to work, safe in the knowledge that we once had everything, if only for a few years in the early 90s.

[@88EatAny]

Happy Days! Happy Times! Lived it and Doved it 😵‍💫

[@malYoung-l2p]

I loved the place.. happiest times of my life .. I lived across the road I was there every time it was open .. .. rip sterns ❤ love to mensa and all associated with the FARM

[@DrewJPS]

The basement, was astounding. I am still astounded by it, and I'm 58. Long live the South Coast and all it dared to do.

[@grahamkemp5469]

I'd travel down from London with a few mates, amazing nights on the underground, I'll never forget them. Remember going out into the courtyard for a breather and a drink, chatting to strangers, everyone was friendly, never saw any trouble. Who remembers getting 'lost' on the dancefloor and then suddenly the lights came on and everyone had to leave, and thinking- where did the last four hours go? Outside in a field some guy would pull up in a Transit and throw the backdoors open, booming music, we'd keep dancing as the sun rose. Absolutely magical times, glad I was part of it.

[@rave-vinyl-reminiscence]

Great memory share there mate...I'm with you throughout that. Great times 🙏❤️

[@OGillo2001]

We got coaches from Weymouth, the place was mind blowing, nothing like it. I remember looking down into The Underground and not believing what I was seeing, incredible. So glad to have been part of an era when things were fresh, good, new -

[@lornawillockify]

I was lucky to grow up near Coventry so was in the eclipse from 91. I feel extremely proud to have been part of the movement. We were so lucky. I truly miss those days 😊

[@tonybeale2608]

Nipper and Sasha days!

[@92missphase4]

i want 2 cry still love the choons still got poster lifestyle 2000 dj sacha ❤

[@Swenners]

This place changed my life. I loved Sterns. Even the name brings back life-long memories!

[@ashjackson4270]

I was so lucky to have been a part of this. Raving and rave culture is in my blood. I'll never stop raving, It's not the same anymore but I still enjoy it. Why don't all raves have a tea room? Sterns tea room was legendary. Chatted so much shit over cups of tea, that's something I still miss! Silly but true!

[@100HzJimmi]

Sterns had the best vibes of any Southern Cub,proper indoor raving. We went numerous times as ravers and to see Mates DJ sets and We were also lucky enough to perform a Live set there in 1991 the same night Moby performed Go(Not Live). RIP Mensa a one-off individual with vision. Those Were The Days x

[@SAFeCRACKeR09]

I was lucky enough to DJ at Sterns on one occassion in the very top floor where they showcased up 'n' coming DJ's trying to break into the scene but unfortunately they closed soon after. However, my first memory of Sterns was in 1991 as a raver and after me and my mates went in and hung around the top dancefloor before we explored and found what I remember as a chill out area with a cafe or bar, no music playing. The place was weird because it was like a maze trying to get around. I got split up from my mates and found my way the the middle floor where I remember seeing a VW Beetle as part of the DJ booth, not sure if I was hallucinating? The music there didn't do it for me and I soon heard bass rumbling from nearby. Like the bisto kids, I followed the 'scent' and soon found myself at the top of a staircase looking down into the underground, it was mesmerising and so I ventured in. Only about an hour or so from closing I wandered off back to the top floor and eventually found my mates. They were like "Where the fuck have you been? This place is mental." I said to them "Where the fuck have you been?", told them I'd been in the basement and that it was awesome but they knew nothing about it because they had stayed in the same place all night. I led them downstairs and they couldn't believe what they had missed out on and we spent the rest of the night there until closing time. Needless to say that whenever we went back we always headed for the underground.

[@stevenkenyon678]

Welcome to THE GALLERY One of my many tasks was to choose the best DJ from the Gallery who then got a booking & £50 squid ;-)

[@dellablair8514]

I remember the VW Beetle!

[@SAFeCRACKeR09]

@@stevenkenyon678 Yes, The Gallery! When I played there I think the room had kinda turned into a chill out area, no one was dancing and only sitting around the edge of the room. I was a Techno DJ which didn't go down very well with some of the people and probably contributed to not being booked (as well as not being the best on the night) :( I still have my record case with the tiny Sterns sticker on it

[@baggedr32mk5]

The beauty of this documentary is that it was happening in every industrial town in the UK at that time,all of us of a certain age now have a story like this wherever you lived. Great documentary,really enjoyed it 👏🏻💊🎶

[@Suddsy.]

It wasn't just the UK. In the early 90s I was going to a club called The Paradox for a 7 hour party called Fever every other Thursday in Baltimore Maryland. Two DJs named Scott Henry and Charles Feelgood threw the party's on. They were magical. ✌️

[@Hayyyward]

@@Suddsy. Same here in a smaller town in Florida. We had several places that would stay open til sunrise and some mornings those parties would continue on at someone's house. So many great nights!

[@JadePratt]

Yeah granted, but not like this. This man and those around him, it was them that broke boundaries and took risks that built a scene so unique with a massive fuck you that's so strong you can only search this documentary if you heard from a mate about it, not cos it's been advertised on loose Women. Makes sense, no?

[@craigburton4447]

I consider myself very lucky that by complete chance my local clubs were Sterns in 92/93 and Labrynth in 93/94/95. Two absolutely amazing raves, everybody just absolutely on it, from the second they opened to the last tune. Two very special places that I had the privilege to experience (a few too many times than was strictly healthy hahah). I met many amazing people, some I never saw again, a few I am still friends with to this day and for that Mensa and Joe have my respect and sincere gratitude. Thank you.

[@peterolley7159]

12 dalston lane rushing through your brain, who wants one more ! The lab was my fave place and the roller express was very special too especially elevation 👊

[@danharvey8979]

Sterns/Labyrinth/AWOL at the Paradise was the circuit for a while, as I recall. I didn't do clubs that much as there was loads of free stuff going on but they were the big 3 deffos.

[@MrVibrating]

As the main incubator of UK breakbeat, Labs had more cultural influence and impact than the Hacienda or any club you wanna mention. Best nights of my life. RIP MC Ruff and the Stevie Hyper D.

[@holdmyhand2009]

sterns and labrynth were my two regulars. loved labrynth too, it would be good to see a documentary about that place as well.

[@stevewoodrow2011]

Sterns was my very first club I went to.. 17yrs old and only lived down the rd about 40mins away. 91-93

[@rave-vinyl-reminiscence]

Thanks for that lovely little video...really enjoyed it. Sterns was so magical, just seeing those photos I felt the energy of those times wash over me. I'm just so thankful I was there. That can never be taken from me 🙏 Love to all my unknown friends out there ❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@helenapernas5979]

So glad I've got I've got the paintings done by Rufus in my summer house ,keeps my Micheal with me ❤️❤️❤️

[@waykiwayki]

Massive impact on my life in 91 and 92. Only as the years and life experiences pass does one truly realise just how good this really was. A monumental moment in time, a special moment. What happened was the UK Gov realised there was a real organic movement of unity and love, even football firms were hugging in clubs - and their age old trick of divide and conquer was getting smashed. So, they flooded the scene with moody Es, and the music got darker and splintered. Then the super clubs and Ibiza et al took over, and money, greed, and sanitisation came. Sterns lives on through this movie - and that feeling of freedom and love lives on in each of you mf warriors who sweated on the Underground 💜

[@Swenners]

I couldn't agree more with everything you said!

[@johanhallgren]

Great story. I experienced the same feelings at the same time with a few raves here in Sweden. Only one question, what is moody Es?

[@waykiwayki]

@@johanhallgren ones where people fainted or felt a little dark and heavy... More head than heart...

[@johanhallgren]

@@waykiwayki Oh, that sounds like PMA or PMMA or just a mixture of chemicals they had at hand. Just like when cannabis was replaced with synthetic cannabinoids. Sometimes I wonder if the system is just trying to hurt people.

[@danielrazulay]

@@johanhallgrenmCPP, TMFPP, etc

[@Smiffy-.-]

Me and my pals used to drive from London to go to sterns if we weren't hitting Labyrinth at Dalston Lane, great atmosphere, and a truly unique setting. We drove home to London one morning in the winter in 1991 with no heater in an old Ford Escort, all of us freezing cold from sweating our cods off . We never complained once, just couldn't stop talking about how good the night was.

[@peterolley7159]

12 dalston lane was an incredible club I have great memories there

[@danking2715]

Interdance masive Sterns underground Worthing basement crew you know what to do. E nuff respect. Best ever allnighters. RIP MENSA .one love 🤘🏼

[@Selinabarnett23]

Ah memories my Dad was the security guard pictured during the raids. Rest well dad and thank you Mensa

[@D1CE579]

Never went to Sterns but was out and about 89-92 .. We took it for granted at the time but I would go back to it in a heartbeat if I had the chance.Best times and the best people.

[@leeconnor5462]

What made this so good was it felt like you was partying round someone's house...loads of rooms each with its own feel....thats why it was packed every week you just couldn't get bored with the place...im on the documentary a few times but its the faces I recognised that I have no idea who they are that makes my heart jump...prey you've had a good life ❤

[@stevenkenyon678]

True Story ;-)

[@Mashley1]

I was thinking that, loads of familiar faces

[@tnt90s]

At last! What a place this was. !990 - 1991 were the best times at Sterns.

[@davetherave9222]

‘91 was the best time everywhere mate.

[@CathalMcQueen]

Jesus, this took me back to the best part of my life. I remember Toppers, Empire (Stenners you mad man!!) and Sterns (the best club in the world). I grew up in Bognor Regis but moved to London in the 2000's but miss the old days as there is no club or event that's ever come close to what we experienced back then. I've been lucky enough to travel the world and been to sooooo many clubs yet I always hanker for the good old days. The music in this video is very well chosen and it even gave me goosebumps!!! Well written, well directed and the content is outstanding. Give yerselves a pat on the back guys for a job seriously well done!! Peace

[@sylvia9292]

wtf i was born in bognor rigis. cheers take care, nice comment

[@korkyk6901]

Did you go to that Empire Easter all dayer on the pier in 1990? It was mental I think it was right before Mensa peeled off to start inter dance. Anyways good times.

[@Gianfranco_69]

Toppers.....IYKYK........ that was a lush tiny deep House/Acid sweatbox ,you could touch the ceiling,wall to wall mirrors..... HaPpY DazE

[@nathturn3869]

I don’t know but Eddie past away a couple of years ago

[@antotyrrell2012]

51.30 Joe Beltram Energy flash. 55.30 Capricorn 22hz Amazing tunes

[@darrenmclean7454]

Absolutely brilliant documentary, Lenny Dee is a Character! Just as wild as his sets Hardcore Will Never Die

[@DadOnHisOwn]

What a fabulous documentary. I never went to Sterns - my club years were really 92-96 as a student in Birmingham. But I remember long, loud bights out on the dancefloor where promoters and DJs were Gods. Long live the club scene.

[@kittylou22]

Great recommendation on KZbin 👌🏻 As a 53 yr old that went to Sterns 30yrs ago it was definitely a standout club, people coming from all over the country. People necking their gear in the queue 😂 I also remember the little courtyard chill out area. Stairs and rooms everywhere. The flyers were just as legendary

[@DjSciFly]

Here are some of the featured tracks for you ravers: 12.01 - D Shake - Technotrance 14.00 - Mental Cube - Q 18.45 - Golden Girls - Kinetic (Frank De Wulf Remix) 20.44 - Joey Beltram - Mentasm 21.54 - Set Up System - Fairy Dust 24.31 - Spectrum - Brasil 33.09 - Dj Carl Cox - Let The Bass Kick 45.00 - Beltram - My Sound 51.29 Beltram - Energy Flash 56.42 - 20hz - Capricorn

[@colourformat]

Amazing-thank you!👊

[@millso]

The last track is Drum club - sound system (underworld mix)

[@badger_claws]

Thank you 🙏

[@darrenwall5439]

Awesome dude! Any chance you know the last tune with the lovely vocals? Cheers all the best 💚

[@djdanashwell]

What's the first track!? It comes back later

[@noonahs1711]

Good to be apart those Pioneering days! We set the bar with Sterns! Nothing compared to the atmosphere of the place!

[@MarkSmith-tp6zc]

One club our crew never managed to go to, despite having a reliable lift that took us to Universe and various free parties from 1990-92. At least we have this superb footage to go on!

[@jamessewell6358]

I've been waiting for this . Lord of the dance. I was 16 from bournemouth. 1992 . My brother took me on my 16th birthday . Mad bastards. Went a few times .

[@kevinwilliams1421]

I was 16 walking in to the quadrant park up the stairs and I always remember the song it was metal cube Q…never looked back since

[@JayCunning]

So happy this documentary has got out there, essential viewing for any Sterns fan!

[@stevenkenyon678]

Me to being a long time waiting

[@jonsage5486]

Synonymous for me for hearing Rhythm Warfare - Two Notches on the very top floor in the chill out room…..not exactly a chill out tune but it was for that place……amazing place…..amazing documentary…….good memories…….RIP…….thanks for those memories.

[@CoastfishTV]

Just hit 17 in 1991 and we hit our first club in Adelaide, Australia 🇦🇺 Le Rox. Then progressed to the underground clubs and then Raves. Musically the best years of my life. Take me back to watching Carl Cox play Fact 1 in the club. Flying high memories. 1991 to 96.

[@ariegepipesmoker897]

oh man loads of memories!! Lenny Dee in the underground ripped everyone a new one, we hadn't heard anything even close before! And Mr C mixing psychedelic shit in VW beetle booth was also one of my lifetime memories! Great film guys.

[@mrrusty01]

So many great memories blurred in to a period of time, it used to take until Thursday to recover from your Saturday, then you'd do it all again the next weekend. Big love to all those that made it to Sterns, and raided the garage for rizlas on the way home!!

[@ondersfreedom6094]

I went to South Downs college in 1990 and that film took me back to our crew from Hayling Is. The excitement and anticipation driving up that hill was pure magic. I don't think i really appreciated at the time how privileged we were to be part of that places history.

[@Lee-om9os]

Was the best of times. Great memories. Superb documentary

[@titchyt1]

wawww. 1990 17years of age, football casuals, then white dove;) and the birth of love underground house music arrived.second summer of love. timeless:)

[@MarkOrourke-iq2cd]

always remember on my 18th birthday 5th october watching prodigy in the underground,double dropping 2 cali splits and next thing i remember was being sat in the garden not knowing how i got there and how i managed to climb up that skinny spiral staircase everyone used to fall down lol,great times

[@SteveMillerPhotography]

Remembering the drive's there, Southampton to Worthing in the works van , fully packed with my best friends , buzzing .... Techno in the underground where it rained sweat.

[@tracx2003]

Sounds like a great guy I loved that era all the traks on this bring back so many memories what a time and a pity his life was cut short feel sorry for friends and familie R.I.P. Mensa Rave on! x

[@tracx2003]

I've got D Shake - Technotrance

[@djmastergroove946]

Yes! Beautiful time's man. The love, the vibes, happy happy people. A much different world we live in now!

[@stevenkenyon678]

I broke up 2 fights in 3yrs & they were piss heads we were all family ;-)

[@davidlunness6048]

What they did at sterns was magic.completely made the most of every minute I spent there ❤

[@nbcareerconsulting9496]

I have been to a lot of clubs over the years, all round the world, but Sterns set the bar very high.

[@tonytonze]

so many great memiores from sterns empire and toppers met so many forever friends house tribe forever :)

[@harri7416]

Left school in 1990. My local club was the Eclipse Coventry but I was always in awe of Sterns.

[@mingwingming1971]

Enjoyed this 🙂 Great unforgettable times for those that lived it , gutted I went many places but never made it to Sterns, I didn’t realise it was such a big place..

[@DJREN2]

Its was like this everywere in the 90s. I had so many great night all over the place. The one thing that made it the best was the pills. They were just the best back then.

[@will_the_don]

Man I wish I could have experienced that, seems like a beautiful time

[@grahamfranklingf]

Brilliant dayz. Rave days, Remember all the flyers. Class documentary. Listening to them old tracks. I still got cassettes with all music on.

[@tyanwar]

Amazing respectful documentary my miss spent youth

[@jonb5225]

Amazing memories wish I could go back in time, went to the empire nights before interdance, Mensa did a bang up job 🙌

[@stuartwicks6970]

I missed the all nighters. Only started going March 93. 4 months later it was closed down. 2 in the morning finish. Must have gone most weeks until blister. Brilliant atmosphere 👌

[@stuartwicks6970]

Until it closed down I meant

[@stevenkenyon678]

Thank you everyone for all your( HEART WARMING) comments few facts missing still very moving tribute to Mensa my best friend who I miss every day I took care of London & surrounding boroughs Mensa run the south coast I no he his smiling on us all so proud to be his right hand man & partner in RAVE MEMORYS i WILL TREASURE FOR EVERY SHOOM ;-)

[@davetherave9222]

Brilliant documentary. Never went to Sterns myself, bit far south for our crew but this captures such a magic time in British Youth Culture. RIP Mensa.

[@markballard1637]

Best days of my life, so far.

[@stevenkenyon678]

Thank you luvd bringing everyone together;-)

[@scottlee6084]

Im still out playing drum and bass, till this very day.. ive never found another place like sterns.. 💜💜💜💜💜💜

[@stevenkenyon678]

Did have much Drum & base House Garage happy hardcore trance jungle techno & HARDCORE ;-)

[@dangrant3769]

Saw the premier of this in Worthing years ago. Amazing times. Amazing place and Amazing people. X

[@sheilacambell4549]

I did as well 😌 was a fab night 🌙 no place ever like sterns was x

[@martynweigh4541]

Mr.C bless you what great words at the end,and bless you all too,stay well and happy 🙂

[@davesclassicgaragetours]

They were some accolades by top DJs there. Some of the best nights out ever.

[@tobydean9864]

So grateful to have had sterns in my life as a youth. Great memories with great friends.

[@damonarnold43]

Great documentary, great music loved going to sterns in 90 & 91 R.I.P WOOKIE

[@tristronic7789]

Really enjoyed this, tells the story well from all the important angles, great memories 😀 No club experience has ever come close to being at Sterns in 92, privileged to be part of it 🔉🔈🔊❤️

[@scottlee6084]

What a time to be alive.. so happy i saw myself in this.. the rave scene owes so much to mensas memory.. i have nothing but lovely memories of John.. i hope your up there causing chaos.. we will see you again.. interdance and sterns forever.. massive love to all the sterns ravers and family 💜💜💜💜💜💜

[@anthonyd.4theloveofsoulful197]

Mensa Lord of thE DancE 💃🏽 DancE 🕺🏼 Floor fillers ComE oN Let thE Rhythm take yoU, a Very interesting Documentary, NicE onE Cheers 🍻 👏🏻

[@louminati4318]

About the same time, maybe slightly later than Sterns, was a huge house on Fitzjohns Avenue in Hamstead that turned into an illegal venue. It had no name from what I remember and went on for six months.

[@FlyingLow_Productions]

I started going to Sterns in 92 and was there every weekend till the final horn blew! Amazing club, I was gutted when it shut and thought that was it at the time... but then The Mansion House was born.. the Sterns vibe (and alot of the crew) were there but with Hard stomping House in the bunker. I hope someone one day makes a documentary on this.. as it easily rivaled Sterns as the most banging club on the south coast! Great times ❤

[@gcostanza2115]

It's shameful that the authorities wouldn't allow a private screening of this superb documentary to mark 20 years since Mensa sadly passed away. Well done for making this documentary and allowing us all to look back at a wonderful time in our lives. I wasn't lucky enough to go to Stern's, but I went to plenty of parties and clubs with the same vibe around that time in the South West.

[@MrGmennink]

Nice to hear/see that the music they played was exactly the same as in the legendary clubs here in the Netherlands. Best times!!!

[@DJDaveParks]

So many goose bumps watching this. Sterns was a movement and culture in it own right, from the legendary tapes and flyers everyone collected to the experience of walking down stairs to the underground with green laser and a 25k sound system staring at you. Such a privilege to be a part of it, even at the age of 11 going to ‘A Chance to Dance’. Was all about the dancing in those days, egos left at the door. Nice to hear The Three Deck Wizard talk about Sterns! Good work chaps!

[@boma23]

What an epic documentary thanks to all involved and for the soundtrack. Never got that far south. 5 in a 4 speed mini metro with a strap around the roof holding the doors in would just about get us from North Wales to Stoke normally. Like Sterns, some of the most mental places were smaller venues in the North West which rest of the UK didn't hear about). What an unrepeatable era.

[@AlexAlcyone]

This is amazing!! Giving me the chills. And the sound track is taking me back like crazy.. Fairy Dust.. Q.. Capricorn 20Hz.. Energy Flash.... ahhhh.... those days all feel like a mirage now.. an indescribable magic carpet ride :) in my excitement I wrote this before I got half way through but having got to the end this is a beautiful eulogy and a fantastic memoir of forgotten days and experiences that cannot be described, only felt. Fabulous doc TYVM.

[@jameskid81]

1:10:43 whats this tune anyone, please?

[@paulrandall7939]

Awesome 🤘, I always remember the Stern's flyer's being edits of popular brands. Was bit young at the time for going out. But still collected the flyers and tape packs. Till I looked old enough 😆

[@Strafuzz]

Sterns flyers were some of the best and recognisable

[@darcysmoke]

feel privileged to have had nights at this great venue!

[@Margate_Records]

What a fantastic documentary - I'm lying here in bed with flu and a hangover feeling like utter crap. Watched this and now feel brilliant!! Had no idea about Steve's journey and have so much respect for doing this and being so honest. Love it ❤. Now... Time for a shower and off to the pub 😜🍻✌️😎🙈

[@Ifthemilkturnsouttobesour]

Sterns was my first rave. summer 92. I’d heard the story’s, I had the flyers. Had a mate that just passed his test. All the ingredients, well nearly” Just remember getting pulled into the underground by someone I’d never met before wearing dungers and bucket hat. What an eye opener! I also remember the tunes being hard as that night. Went there as much as i could afford till it closed. Even back then we knew that place was special. On the last night you knew Mensa speech was from the hart. Bigup the man like Mensa

[@es-acs]

I moved about a mile away from there with my dad in 1996 after leaving school, missed out big time and wished I was born 5 years earlier. I grew up near southampton and the legacy of sterns was known all along the south coast their flyers were works of art. you'd see them in vinyl shops all over. my sister had a collection of almost all of them. my mates dad worked as a bouncer there and when they closed the place down my mate was given a sterns mirror which had the green writing on it. the place had an almost mythical status, I didn't have any internet back then it was all word of mouth,gutted I missed out,it partly inspired me on a journey into djing and making music and getting involved in the music scene in worthing in the 00s. thankyou for doing this I have never seen the people involved or never experienced it, just heard stories of legendary nights after it all finished.

[@incabus91]

Well done Dave, A wonderful tribute to the man who created heaven on earth all under one roof for the pleasure of so many. It was always a pleasure to drive for 5 hrs from Sheffield all the way there & another 5 hours back, the best 10 hrs of time l ever spent in my life. & was an honour to of played there for Mensa & The Underground Crew.... The best place l ever played & number 1. Nothing like it since & no one will be able to match. Much love - The Mu The Mu The Music Maker 🎶 🥰

[@damiankeeler5163]

Wow this is just amazing . Just brought back so many memories what an amazing place sterns was . Best times ever 👊

[@tony007newcastkeNE4]

best night of my life @sterns, what we had was special and will take the memories made, to the grave

[@andrewdawson2460]

It was very sad as there was so much to do. I remember the craziness of sterns where i first met mensa, then did some work with him for dance 92 at brighton. I moved upto to london after that, hoping to work with him there. Then we got the awful news, which was very surreal as life just buzzed around him. RIP bud

[@medwaytackle8420]

Sterns was one proper crazy experience and I was their from back in the late 80’s use to love that time meeting new and old faces and so many have never come down,acidhouse and to many E’s & trips.

[@jaynebond3709]

Thank you for the awesome memories Interdance family, feel blessed to have been a part of this, and I will show my son one day ❤

[@MrG77]

People now will never know what the birth of the Rave scene was like. Being a teenager at that time and REALLY experiencing it to the fullest was a time I will never forget and are so happy I survived it. Best days ever.👍🙏

[@mldunn713]

Brilliant. Memories. RIP Mensa, you legend.