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The Underground Is Massive: How Electronic Dance Music Conquered America
Joining the ranks of Please Kill Me and Can’t Stop Won’t Stop comes this definitive chronicle of one of the hottest trends in popular culture—electronic dance music—from the noted authority covering the scene.
It is the sound of the millennial generation, the music “defining youth culture of the 2010s” (Rolling Stone). Rooted in American techno/house and ’90s rave culture, electronic dance music has evolved into the biggest moneymaker on the concert circuit. Music journalist Michaelangelo Matos has been covering this beat since its genesis, and in The Underground Is Massive, charts for the first time the birth and rise of this last great outlaw musical subculture.
Drawing on a vast array of resources, including hundreds of interviews and a library of rare artifacts, from rave fanzines to online mailing-list archives, Matos reveals how EDM blossomed in tandem with the nascent Internet—message boards and chat lines connected partiers from town to town. In turn, these ravers, many early technology adopters, helped spearhead the information revolution. As tech was the tool, Ecstasy—(Molly, as it’s know today) an empathic drug that heightens sensory pleasure—was the narcotic fueling this alternative movement.
Full of unique insights, lively details, entertaining stories, dozens of photos, and unforgettable misfits and stars—from early break-in parties to Skrillex and Daft Punk—The Underground Is Massive captures this fascinating trend in American pop culture history, a grassroots movement that would help define the future of music and the modern tech world we live in.
It is the sound of the millennial generation, the music “defining youth culture of the 2010s” (Rolling Stone). Rooted in American techno/house and ’90s rave culture, electronic dance music has evolved into the biggest moneymaker on the concert circuit. Music journalist Michaelangelo Matos has been covering this beat since its genesis, and in The Underground Is Massive, charts for the first time the birth and rise of this last great outlaw musical subculture.
Drawing on a vast array of resources, including hundreds of interviews and a library of rare artifacts, from rave fanzines to online mailing-list archives, Matos reveals how EDM blossomed in tandem with the nascent Internet—message boards and chat lines connected partiers from town to town. In turn, these ravers, many early technology adopters, helped spearhead the information revolution. As tech was the tool, Ecstasy—(Molly, as it’s know today) an empathic drug that heightens sensory pleasure—was the narcotic fueling this alternative movement.
Full of unique insights, lively details, entertaining stories, dozens of photos, and unforgettable misfits and stars—from early break-in parties to Skrillex and Daft Punk—The Underground Is Massive captures this fascinating trend in American pop culture history, a grassroots movement that would help define the future of music and the modern tech world we live in.
453 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 10, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
February 10, 2016
For the people that truly admire the world of electronic music, this books takes you on quite the journey through time. It has experiences from most of the true pioneers starting with the mid-80s bringing it to a modern day evaluation of the scene. The amount of information in it is mind blowing and I highly suggest that for people who understand some of the history, they take the time to dig deeper. This is not a book you pick up and never put down until the end. This book has certain parts that will speak more to you depending on your own personal experiences. Who you are, where you are from, and personality will all define which parts of this book will speak more to you.
Having said that, anyone that enjoys House music and Techno should do themselves a favor and take a step out of the ignorance that exists today and get their mind blown by the actual facts that provide the truth into how this scene was formed.
Having said that, anyone that enjoys House music and Techno should do themselves a favor and take a step out of the ignorance that exists today and get their mind blown by the actual facts that provide the truth into how this scene was formed.
October 17, 2021
"The 'obvious shit'...is almost completely unknown to nearly everybody else in the country."
This line stuck with me through most of this book, which is a decent description of the history of electronic dance music's long wending path from house parties to huge festivals. A main focus of the story is how EDM (and the scholarly origin of "EDM" as a descriptor from everything to 80s house to modern [insert genre here]) was and is consumed differently from almost everywhere else in the world.
The "obvious shit" referenced above refers to landmark parties/events the author singles out as representative of the scene's evolution. Matos fully admits that he neglects whole geographic regions and "hidden gems" in an effort to provide an overview of regions and time periods. In this he succeeds rather well. His focus is on the coasts and some of the midwest, with a few mentions of events in the south and Florida.
Much of the book describes the fits and starts to get the mainstream rock-oriented American music industry to pay attention to the dance scene. By the 2010s he describes a dance music scene that sounds overtaken by the rock "look at the stage" focus on names and faces over the "look at us" communal aspect of the early party scene - a detrimental change, IMHO, but then I am an old crusty raver.
My other gripe is the focus on mostly men as DJs, producers, and promoters. Like most music subcultures EDM was and is male dominated, but the photo insert is all dudes, dudes, dudes and there were and are more women involved than the few mentioned in the book. I'm reading Rodgers' "Pink Noises" following this to offset the sausage-fest.
I am tickled that he includes the influence of the rising tech industry on the early 90's rave scene, including the Vrave and regional mailing lists as means of finding fellow ravers and coordinating meetups (full disclosure - I was a regular of the "net rave" community). It was fun if a bit weird to be reading about people I knew Back In The Day.
Overall, this is what the author intended - an overview of the evolution of EDM both as a scene and as a music in the States.
This line stuck with me through most of this book, which is a decent description of the history of electronic dance music's long wending path from house parties to huge festivals. A main focus of the story is how EDM (and the scholarly origin of "EDM" as a descriptor from everything to 80s house to modern [insert genre here]) was and is consumed differently from almost everywhere else in the world.
The "obvious shit" referenced above refers to landmark parties/events the author singles out as representative of the scene's evolution. Matos fully admits that he neglects whole geographic regions and "hidden gems" in an effort to provide an overview of regions and time periods. In this he succeeds rather well. His focus is on the coasts and some of the midwest, with a few mentions of events in the south and Florida.
Much of the book describes the fits and starts to get the mainstream rock-oriented American music industry to pay attention to the dance scene. By the 2010s he describes a dance music scene that sounds overtaken by the rock "look at the stage" focus on names and faces over the "look at us" communal aspect of the early party scene - a detrimental change, IMHO, but then I am an old crusty raver.
My other gripe is the focus on mostly men as DJs, producers, and promoters. Like most music subcultures EDM was and is male dominated, but the photo insert is all dudes, dudes, dudes and there were and are more women involved than the few mentioned in the book. I'm reading Rodgers' "Pink Noises" following this to offset the sausage-fest.
I am tickled that he includes the influence of the rising tech industry on the early 90's rave scene, including the Vrave and regional mailing lists as means of finding fellow ravers and coordinating meetups (full disclosure - I was a regular of the "net rave" community). It was fun if a bit weird to be reading about people I knew Back In The Day.
Overall, this is what the author intended - an overview of the evolution of EDM both as a scene and as a music in the States.
January 9, 2019
A book written by a fan of the genre's renegade, wildly creative origins, but largely concerned with how it fueled a later generation of vampiric music industry execs and badly-behaving nipple-pasty-clad teenagers with too much disposable income.
Scattered, clunky and frustratingly 100-level-survey-course-ish in some (...ok, many) places, and certainly not a book that can hold a candle up to Simon Reynold's Generation Ecstasy, but worthwhile for the aspiring techno nerd.
Scattered, clunky and frustratingly 100-level-survey-course-ish in some (...ok, many) places, and certainly not a book that can hold a candle up to Simon Reynold's Generation Ecstasy, but worthwhile for the aspiring techno nerd.
December 15, 2017
One of the best syntheses on a very convoluted and very complex subject. Well written and absolutely enjoyable to read. If there is ever a college course on electronic dance music, this book will be the backbone of that history.
September 17, 2024
history of edm, the music, the events, the people - has a lot of interesting tidbits of names and venues I recognize, but the book is a largely disorganized set of interviews and list of events. meanders around a lot and barely gets to a point, and the ending comes very suddenly.
this book covers edm up until 2014 - the chapters on the early years (the 80s) have the most consistent narrative, but it falls apart a bit when it gets to the parts the author has lived through, when the stories chosen to be told reflect more on the author and his opinions.
I found the book really interesting but only because I care a lot about the subject matter - was funny to see that all the same arguments people have online about raves (whether a festival counts as a rave, massives vs undergrounds, drug use) are the same now as they were 30-40 years ago.
this book covers edm up until 2014 - the chapters on the early years (the 80s) have the most consistent narrative, but it falls apart a bit when it gets to the parts the author has lived through, when the stories chosen to be told reflect more on the author and his opinions.
I found the book really interesting but only because I care a lot about the subject matter - was funny to see that all the same arguments people have online about raves (whether a festival counts as a rave, massives vs undergrounds, drug use) are the same now as they were 30-40 years ago.
July 2, 2019
I'm a historian and read a lot of books, and I'm a huge EDM fan. So I was really excited to read this book, especially with some glowing recommendations. I pushed myself through the first few chapters, but it just didn't draw me in any way. I felt like the reader was trying to make me feel bad for liking EDM in Vegas, surrounded by hundreds of scantily clad women, when I should instead be listening to some out-of-shape dude spin records in his parents' basement or something. As Mr. Chow would say, "Boring... Take nap."
June 15, 2015
I thoroughly enjoyed this book as a major fan of dance music. However, if someone is new to the scene and wants to read this book as a background source, it is very scattered and confusing. The writing style leaves a lot to bedesired. It's almost information overload, and that's why I gave it a lower rating than usual. Still an interesting read.
August 14, 2015
Loved it! Comprehensive, well-researched and written, and at times, funny. An excellent picture of the history of electronic music in the US. I found myself going "I was there!" or "I wish I was there!" or "I was there but then it got busted!".
September 17, 2020
educational but extraordinarily dry at points, so many names to remember
March 24, 2017
Given this book's narrow focus on a music genre that many people (myself included) don't particularly care for, I doubt it will appeal to a large audience. However, if you've ever wondered how it's become possible today for someone armed with only a laptop and turntables to stand relatively still on a stage, whip a large crowd into a frenzy for a few hours and then collect a large paycheck for the effort, you'll find this book very insightful. As the title denotes, electronic dance music (EDM) is enjoyed widely, and perhaps surprisingly, by a massive amount of people around the globe well beyond just the expected Euro nightclubs. How did this come to pass while you were busy in the States blasting alternative and grunge and wondering if Led Zeppelin would ever reunite? This book will provide plenty of entertaining details. Since I can't give it 3.5 stars, I've bumped the official rating up to 4 in recognition of the author's seemingly exhaustive and authoritative effort to make sense of this 30+ year entertainment development.
April 20, 2024
This was less of a thorough history of the music of EDM, and more of a selection of 18 different parties through the 1990s and 2000s that represent to the author the changing scene and music. There are some great parts, like this hilarious description:
"Burning Man began in 1986, when unemployed San Francisco landscaper Larry Harvey took over a friend's summer solstice party at Baker Beach."
The book stands out in identifying how electrifying the audience found particular moments during certain parties, and is very clear on the origin of techno music by Black DJs in Detroit and Chicago. However, the author's disdain for certain people and certain styles of music is handled without any grace, complaining about trip-hop and Pretty Lights, and mocking the Grammys when they gave awards to Moby for Play.
All that being said, this was an interesting read that covers the rise and shift of EDM throughout the USA.
"Burning Man began in 1986, when unemployed San Francisco landscaper Larry Harvey took over a friend's summer solstice party at Baker Beach."
The book stands out in identifying how electrifying the audience found particular moments during certain parties, and is very clear on the origin of techno music by Black DJs in Detroit and Chicago. However, the author's disdain for certain people and certain styles of music is handled without any grace, complaining about trip-hop and Pretty Lights, and mocking the Grammys when they gave awards to Moby for Play.
All that being said, this was an interesting read that covers the rise and shift of EDM throughout the USA.
February 18, 2018
Three-Sentence Review:
This book traces the deep history of electronic dance music in the United States, occasional foray to Europe, from the nascent and deep-underground early 1980s through the massive overexposure and ubiquity of the mid 20-teens. The large majority of the book is 1980s/early 1990s centric, with most of the spokes revolving around the Detroit scene with major additions from Chicago, New York. and Los Angeles (then the rest of the country by piecemeal). There's no way to really capture the breadth and depth of electronic music as it grew, expanded, and evolved in the U.S., but this book traces one interesting route of evolution over time, even if it wasn't the history and scene that I experienced myself.
This book traces the deep history of electronic dance music in the United States, occasional foray to Europe, from the nascent and deep-underground early 1980s through the massive overexposure and ubiquity of the mid 20-teens. The large majority of the book is 1980s/early 1990s centric, with most of the spokes revolving around the Detroit scene with major additions from Chicago, New York. and Los Angeles (then the rest of the country by piecemeal). There's no way to really capture the breadth and depth of electronic music as it grew, expanded, and evolved in the U.S., but this book traces one interesting route of evolution over time, even if it wasn't the history and scene that I experienced myself.
February 16, 2017
I enjoyed this a lot more than I expected. As someone who doesn't know Deadmau5 from Diplo, I was a bit worried by the 'EDM' in the title, but this book actually does a great job of covering the fundamentals of House and Techno music history and really only spends a chapter or two on the more recent acts. Some good interviews and quotes from primary sources, and some good digging in archives of old lists.
More importantly, this book definitely gave me massive flashbacks to my high school and college years (in a good way).
My only criticism is that it was a bit discombobulated and strangely organized at times, but somewhat understandable given the book's scope.
More importantly, this book definitely gave me massive flashbacks to my high school and college years (in a good way).
My only criticism is that it was a bit discombobulated and strangely organized at times, but somewhat understandable given the book's scope.
June 19, 2020
This was a re-read. The book is incredibly rich and detailed. It's comprehensive and covers all of the major players and many minor ones. If anything, there are times when there is a bit too much detail. Though the book is centered around major parties and festivals of the last forty years, some chapters spend more time on things other than the festival at hand. And the appendix lists inaccessible radio shows rather than a clear discography. It's not a light read for the average fan, though it's extensive enough for those who really want deep knowledge.
December 17, 2022
As a Gen X person who was born and raised in Detroit and grew up listening to a lot of techno music and the Electrifying Mojo on the radio, I found this book interesting. Matos really did his research in explaining the history of EDM throughout the years. One thing I did find disappointing is how EDM is so closely associated with drug use now (and in the recent past). When I was younger, this wasn't the case. People went out to enjoy the music and dance, not necessarily to get high while doing those things, but that was a long time ago.
May 29, 2019
The author provides a great overview of EDM in America. As a new fan, I learned a lot about the origins of house music and its descendants, famous festivals and parties, and how the scene has changed over time. I think the book could have been easily expanded to include the history of dance music in Europe, since many of the music's most accomplished artists are from there. Still, this is an invaluable resource and a good oral history for anyone who isn't familiar with the music and its roots.
December 6, 2022
An eye-opening look back into the origins and development of Electronic Dance Music in the United States. The book explores how this evolution in music coincided with changing social values as technology, media, and recreation began to develop into a movement. Although the author does the origins and authentic history of the scene a great service the narrative leaves a lot of ground to be covered because, as they said, the underground is massive.
November 9, 2023
8.8/10
Really solid book on the history of electronic music and it's commercialization through the 90's and 2000's. It was really illuminating when it came to the various underground scenes throughout the United States that I had little insight into.
Very worth reading for anyone interested in dance music.
Really solid book on the history of electronic music and it's commercialization through the 90's and 2000's. It was really illuminating when it came to the various underground scenes throughout the United States that I had little insight into.
Very worth reading for anyone interested in dance music.
July 1, 2024
He's right: it could have been much longer, but the brevity elevates it into an essential book. America invents it, Europe improves it, then America makes millions off it. Written in the mid-2010s at the height of the boom, it's a great work of scholarship which seems to talk to everybody, from Derrick May to David Guetta to Moby.
March 24, 2021
Impressively well-researched history of 1980-present dance music, culture, raves DJ’s and concerts that can almost feel too detailed at times, but when you come to a song or a DJ that you know, you appreciate the work that went into this book and you want more of it.
January 4, 2023
Fantastic. in every way.
Complete and compassionate and I spent the entire book listening to music.
Complete and compassionate and I spent the entire book listening to music.
October 7, 2016
The Underground Is Massive:How Electronic Dance Music Conquered America by Michaelangelo Matos tells us how electronic dance music became one of the greatest and biggest music success's. The Underground was run by the youth and was a underground music business that soon enough conquered America. This book tells the story of a bunch of outsiders who came together and created a worldwide movement. The book perfectly reflects upon nineteen parties over thirty years showing how electronic dance music was forever changing and becoming increasingly popular. From the black, to gay clubs, to raves this book will be sure to provide you with insight to how electronic dance music became what it is today. The book provides readers with the origins of EDM music and gives interviews from various music professionals. The book also exposes a gigantic list of artists who were ignored and mocked by underground fans but have earned well deserved roots in American Dance Culture.
I found this book to be very intriguing and exciting. It gave me a new perspective on electronic dance music and how it came to be. If it weren't for me reading I would have never known that EDM music started as a small little underground business. I thought it was always a popular genre of music. I loved how the book took me to a certain place and time and describes the events that took place at each rave, party, or club. This book truly takes you through a journey of time to provide the best possible insight to how house and techno music formed. Other readers on Goodreads have very similar thoughts to me about this book. Majority of people have said that this book is a great way to learn about rave culture and to really explore the origins if you like EDM music. Other people have explained that the book is very cluttered and scattered. There is a ton of information to take in and it can be very overwhelming. I agree with both spectrums from other Goodreads reviewers. I did enjoy this book for sure but there was tons of information regarding different events, artists, and history. I also agree that if you are a big fan of EDM music this book would be a good read. Clearly the type of reader who would enjoy this book the most would be people who truly admire the world of electronic dance music. Anyone could definitely enjoy the book but fans of EDM would be the most interested.
The book was overall well researched, captivating, and unique. The only thing that made reading to be confusing at times was the amount of information. It felt like information overload and was for sure interesting but also confusing. Everything else I found to be entertaining and even funny at times. The book even had me making connections to events or situations. I kept finding myself being like "I've done that" or thinking this relates to situations I've been in. I really loved the captivating plot and thrilling way to share how EDM music conquered America.
I found this book to be very intriguing and exciting. It gave me a new perspective on electronic dance music and how it came to be. If it weren't for me reading I would have never known that EDM music started as a small little underground business. I thought it was always a popular genre of music. I loved how the book took me to a certain place and time and describes the events that took place at each rave, party, or club. This book truly takes you through a journey of time to provide the best possible insight to how house and techno music formed. Other readers on Goodreads have very similar thoughts to me about this book. Majority of people have said that this book is a great way to learn about rave culture and to really explore the origins if you like EDM music. Other people have explained that the book is very cluttered and scattered. There is a ton of information to take in and it can be very overwhelming. I agree with both spectrums from other Goodreads reviewers. I did enjoy this book for sure but there was tons of information regarding different events, artists, and history. I also agree that if you are a big fan of EDM music this book would be a good read. Clearly the type of reader who would enjoy this book the most would be people who truly admire the world of electronic dance music. Anyone could definitely enjoy the book but fans of EDM would be the most interested.
The book was overall well researched, captivating, and unique. The only thing that made reading to be confusing at times was the amount of information. It felt like information overload and was for sure interesting but also confusing. Everything else I found to be entertaining and even funny at times. The book even had me making connections to events or situations. I kept finding myself being like "I've done that" or thinking this relates to situations I've been in. I really loved the captivating plot and thrilling way to share how EDM music conquered America.
September 26, 2015
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Book received in exchange for an honest review
Enlightening, fun, and filled with information. Michaelangelo Matos tracks the transformation of electronic dance music from the underground of Chicago and Detroit, and the rave scene from London, to the billion dollar industry it is now.
For a newcomer like me who has limited knowledge of house, techno, and electronic dance music (other than having Daft Punk on my iPOD), The Underground is Massive was a little difficult to get into, especially with the introduction of various names and places. But I soon got over that because how engrossing the book became.
Matos thoroughly researched and interviewed countless people to bring together a complete history this music genre. He creates a vibrant music scene and retells the ups and downs of electronic music intertwined with real-world developments such as changes in the music industry and 9/11.
The feature I enjoyed the most was how Matos divided up and illustrated the changes through different parties and festivals. It’s such a neat feature, but super important when it comes to a subject like this.
Equally important, I’m glad and impressed by how Matos talked about the connection between drug-use and these parties. And how the expansion of the internet and communication affected the scene.
Coming from an experienced music writer, I think Matos not only created a wonderful homage to the evolution of EDM, but he brings forth much need appreciation to a genre of music that was born in America, grew and experienced the world, and then came back home to waiting arms, or *ahem*, dance floors.
All in all, this is a great read for music enthusiasts and anyone who wants a little more background info on the origins of EDM.
Read if you like: non-fiction, music, music history, EDM, house, techno, rave culture, microhistory
Book received in exchange for an honest review
Enlightening, fun, and filled with information. Michaelangelo Matos tracks the transformation of electronic dance music from the underground of Chicago and Detroit, and the rave scene from London, to the billion dollar industry it is now.
For a newcomer like me who has limited knowledge of house, techno, and electronic dance music (other than having Daft Punk on my iPOD), The Underground is Massive was a little difficult to get into, especially with the introduction of various names and places. But I soon got over that because how engrossing the book became.
Matos thoroughly researched and interviewed countless people to bring together a complete history this music genre. He creates a vibrant music scene and retells the ups and downs of electronic music intertwined with real-world developments such as changes in the music industry and 9/11.
The feature I enjoyed the most was how Matos divided up and illustrated the changes through different parties and festivals. It’s such a neat feature, but super important when it comes to a subject like this.
Equally important, I’m glad and impressed by how Matos talked about the connection between drug-use and these parties. And how the expansion of the internet and communication affected the scene.
Coming from an experienced music writer, I think Matos not only created a wonderful homage to the evolution of EDM, but he brings forth much need appreciation to a genre of music that was born in America, grew and experienced the world, and then came back home to waiting arms, or *ahem*, dance floors.
All in all, this is a great read for music enthusiasts and anyone who wants a little more background info on the origins of EDM.
Read if you like: non-fiction, music, music history, EDM, house, techno, rave culture, microhistory
February 29, 2016
For a music nerd like me who just doesn't understand "the kids today" (get off my lawn!) and their EDM, this book presents an interesting and thoughtful history that helped me understand the roots of electronic dance music and how it became so popular among today's youth. Matmos effectively connects the dots from Africa Bamataa and the Soul Sonic Force, to the early days of the Detroit and Chicago club scenes, to the L.A. raves that I remember from my high school/college days, to modern genre-crossing, the Electric Daisy Carnival, and the rise of Daft Punk. The book is populated with interesting characters and stories that make it an engaging read, in addition to being informative. I'm still not interested in *listening* to what I still call "techno," but I feel like my knowledge of music history has been enriched by knowing more about it.
Want to read
April 16, 2015I admit that I don't much care for EDM, but this sounds like such a fascinating cultural history. From Flavorwire:
Matos draws a direct line from the post-disco epiphanies of Chicago house and Detroit techno to the 21st-century robotics of Daft Punk and glittering EDM mega-festivals, party cruises, campouts, and other bacchanals where saucer-eyed dancers should be drinking a lot more water than they probably are. In a book that’s as much detailed ethnography as musical history, Matos — a veteran of the ’90s Midwest scene — builds from email lists, party fliers, archived DJ sets, and fresh interviews to find the first widescreen perspective on one of the United States’ most obscured cultural legacies.
Matos draws a direct line from the post-disco epiphanies of Chicago house and Detroit techno to the 21st-century robotics of Daft Punk and glittering EDM mega-festivals, party cruises, campouts, and other bacchanals where saucer-eyed dancers should be drinking a lot more water than they probably are. In a book that’s as much detailed ethnography as musical history, Matos — a veteran of the ’90s Midwest scene — builds from email lists, party fliers, archived DJ sets, and fresh interviews to find the first widescreen perspective on one of the United States’ most obscured cultural legacies.
dnf
January 16, 2017I got about 20% into this and put it down. It's a year later and I think it's safe to say I won't be coming back to read it all the way through. I super love both electronic music and history, but sadly I could not get through this book. The writing style was dense and all over the place. I have some idea that perhaps I'll come back and use this as a reference book, but to be honest, I think I'd rather just meet Matos in person and have a series of long chats with him.
July 7, 2015
A pretty good history lesson, drawing a long looping line from Juan Atkins and Derrick May through Detroit WMC,Coachella, Electric Daisy and the current mess of Bottle Service EDM... great appendix of mixes of all shapes of sizes in the back to hunt down and discover...
Currently reading
April 25, 2017I misplaced this book, and it's driving me crazy! I want to finish it!
Update: I found the book, and then I lost it again somehow! Help!
Update: I found the book, and then I lost it again somehow! Help!
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews