When rave culture first starting blossoming in late eighties/early nineties England, danced/drug-infused rock paved the way for experimentation with heavy repetitive beats that would soon be identified with pacifiers and candy necklaces. Aside from the music and fashion, glowsticks became the ultimate badge for any raver out there. The trippy lights were the ultimate rush for the ecstasy filled nights in some warehouse on the seedy side of town. Well, rave kind of faded away after it got made fun of too much, but the idea of “glowing” still holds a place in these ravers hearts, and gives everyone else enough ammunition for mockery.

Nowadays, the British alternative music press is particularly fond of bands that are bringing a dance beat back into rock and roll. They’ve unoriginally decided to call this second coming “New Rave.” Well, not far behind this latest craze with the crazy brit lads and lasses, clothing has once again come into the picture, this time bringing the glowstick with it. Hopefully, this shit gets made fun of enough again that it just goes away. Here’s the evidence of how out of hand and ridiculous it is already, and it’s only going to get worse. But, if the “tastemakers,” “opinion leaders,” and “cool hunters” say it’s cool, than I guess it is.