A Darker Electricity

At the time, it was unclear why the UK government targeted the Spiral Tribe travelling sound system. Even after arresting many key members and launching one of Britain’s biggest court cases against them. Was it really because they were a marauding horde of anarcho-techno-pirates, their outlandish music calling a generation to rise up in rebellion against conservatism, convention, and even consensus reality?

Or was it because, as pioneers of the 1990s free party movement, championing the new British breakbeat and European techno sound, they were reclaiming social space in warehouses and out under the stars? Each weekend Spiral Tribe pulled ever bigger crowds away from consumer culture. No superstar DJs, no door policy and everyone dancing together as equals. An inspiring, unifying force of creativity.

Mark Angelo Harrison vividly charts their nomadic journey and the rapid escalation of their popularity – and notoriety. From small squat-scene parties in London to enormous warehouse raves and free festivals. The undercover police operation against Spital Tribe. The record deal with Youth. The creation of their community recording studio. The government stitch-up and their prosecution. The escape to Europe and the start of the teknival scene.

“The real story of those historic years in the 90s when the free party movement sought to change the world via electronic insurgency has only recently begun to be documented properly. In this book, Mark brilliantly chronicles the Spirals account of those halcyon days when it seemed we were on the cusp of a genuine revolution, perhaps with the advantage of hindsight, the last counter-culture revolution in Britain against landowners, the police and indeed the British state. It’s all here; the wild times living on the edges of mainstream society, the chaos, the political persecution and always the never-ending beats; a story which viscerally recreates the genuine raw excitement of those times told in great detail by someone who was there. A Dark Electricity indeed.” Harry Harrison (author of Dreaming in Yellow: the Story of the DiY Sound System)

“A fascinating insider account of some of the most remarkable episodes in outlaw rave culture. With a cast of suitably hardcore characters, Mark Angelo Harrison chronicles how Spiral Tribe’s determination to stage free parties set them on a collision course with the authorities.” Matthew Collin, author of Altered State and Rave On

“With this beautifully told new book, we finally get to hear the story of Spiral Tribe from the inside, from someone who lived it. An incredible story which leaps from the urban empty spaces to the ancient green lanes of hidden England, moving from deeply personal perspectives to political and cosmological ones. It’s an incredible record of an era and movement often misrepresented, as well as a ‘connecting of the dots’ from that time to the precarious world we now find ourselves in.” Aaron Trinder, director of Free Party: A Folk History

“A memorable account of a tempestuous time. A Darker Electricity evokes the rebellious mood of an anarchic movement.” Sam Batra, City Limits / The Wire Magazine

“An exhaustive first-hand story of life inside Spiral Tribe, A Darker Electricity is a fascinating insight into a pivotal moment in dance music history.” Ed Gillett, author of Party Lines

“Spiral Tribe gave me a purpose beyond just organising parties. It was a family, a mission and a mental trip – with many bumps along the road!” Jeff Catchpole (DJ Jeff23)

“1991. The Spiral Summer of love. After the Avon Free festival, we turned our horse-drawn convoy east towards Kent to pick apples in the autumn. All along the route, everywhere we stopped Spiral Tribe would magically pop up!” Ixindamix

“Spiral Tribe was an improbable adventure. We were swept along on the crest of an exhilarating but dangerous wave.” Debbie Griffith

“The first time I heard the name Spiral Tribe, I was being warned by a friend: ‘They’re looking for you!’” Simon Carter, Crystal Distortion