Track 3- "When I Hear Music"- Debbie Deb

So, I am big enough to admit that I was a mallrat. Everyone starts out as one and I am no different. If you say you weren't you are lying because no one was that cool at that age, except if you were, like, Shawn Cassidy or something. Anyway, it's the beginning of 8th grade and I meet up with Eva and Tammy. They were goth and I thought they were so cool. On the weekends they hung out at Cloud 9 at Knott's Berry Farm. It was one of 2 dance clubs they had there. They had year passes, which was such a big deal. So, the other club was named Studio K and was for gang bangers and cholo chicks, or anyone else who liked to move to mindless dance music. Tonight was my first night going to Cloud 9. I had my black and white stripped tights on underneath my black lace skirt, black tank top and Eva's patent leather jacket. Mind you, I was all look and no substance at this point, no killer all filler. to prove this point, when I left my house I was wearing my blue denim knickers, white sweater and my Kangaroos so my mom would let me out of the house. Up until this point I had been a slave to whatever my sister was into at any given time. This would include the likes of Madonna and then New Ro, followed by a bout of metal. Oh, I was such a wannabe! These girls were going to show me the way, though. We listened to Sisters of Mercy as we got ready, Eva doing my hair up like Siouxie. I was scared to death that everyone there would see right through me. After about 3 cans of Aquanet, we left and Eva's mom dropped us off at the corner and we walked to the park. I had to wait in line to buy a ticket, as Eva and Tammy flashed thier badge of honor and moved on. We stopped by the restroom to do a last minute check of the hair. they were going to show me the ropes tonight. Our first stop was Studio K. I didn't understand why we needed to go there of all places. "When I Hear Music" was playing at full vloume, so feel free to insert your tape into your ghetto blaster now and kick it old skool. I followed Tiffany and Eva around and it wasn't long before I got the picture- then I wanted to get the hell out! the walls were lined with mirrors so people could watch themselves do pathetic dance moves and watch the pathetic lazers through the pathetic fog machines. Tiffany and Eva thought it was funny to get in front of the vatos and mirrors , making fun of them and their dance moves. This amused them to no end, but to me it seemed like a ticket to fight. Call me paranoid, it's okay. I was a lover, not a fighter- or a chicken depending on how you look at it. However, no trouble occured and we left in one piece. We made our way over to Cloud 9. You had to wait until 9 o'clock for all the tourists to leave, then the locals took over. We were too cool to go on any rides, apparently, because everytime i wanted to go on one they gave a secret society type laugh. Oh, how I wanted to belong to their club, so I followed along and took mental notes:
1- The log ride was acceptable, but only to scam with someone. Check.
2- the coolest people made out in the fake graveyard, though. Check.
3- There was a grave that pulsated like the tell tale heart and if you hooked up on that
one you were REALLY cool. One couple per night. Check.
4- Wacky Soapbox Racers were okay to go on, but only in groups as to intimidate
the tourists. Check.
5- Get to know the pimply faced guy who works at the snack stand next to Cloud 9
not only to get free sodas, but so that he wouldn't call security on you when you
loiter outside and smoke cloves. Check.
6- Don't get too friendly with said pimply faced guy, because no one wants him
hanging around when his shift is over. Check.
The night is just starting, and already I am tired from trying to keep all the rules straight in my head. As we wait in line to get in, I avoid all eye contact because I know some chick will know I am a big fat faker and want to kick my ass. However, when Eva and Tiffany introduce me, everyone is way cool. It's like they had all been through it once and I was like the Gidget of the group. Poser the Mascot. When we walked in we headed to towards the back corner. There, the walls were lined with mirrors and black lights and the floor was covered in black and white checkers. All the colored lights glowed, while the faces remained in the shadows. They played The Cure, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Bauhaus, The Smiths and all sorts of other bands that I would come to love. It was my musical awakening and my love for music was born there on the floor in the corner of Cloud 9, surrounded by the most freakish of freaks, and I loved it. That night I was initiated by the gang, because on the way out I stopped and had my picture taken for own annual pass that everyone chipped in to buy for me. A pass that I still have today. To this day, "When I Hear Music" reminds me of that night. The first time I felt like I fit in. It wold come to pass that the Studio K drop in sessions would become a ritual for those months, so old skool jams remind me of that time. Other Studio K faves- Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam, Grandmaster Flash, Expose, and whoever sings that fucking Double Dutch Bus song.......