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When I was only 14 (in 1987) a night club for kids – with dance floor and DJs and occasionally live bands – opened in Guildford area of Surrey BC – it was called Changes.
All the cool kids went there – even Dave Genn who would later go on to become a member of many local bands, including DSK (Dead Surf Kiss) and Matthew Good Band and lastly 54-40.
Fun fact about Vancouver history, did you know, Dave is the son of artist Robert Genn, who gained recognition for his style, which is in the tradition of Canadian Landscape Painting. Also Genn is happily married to former news anchor/TV personality Tamara Taggart.
Bumpers
But I digress…
Changes is where it all began for me. I was even interviewed on the news about the place – I never saw the news clip but I remember kids at school telling me they did.
There was actually a few clubs like that for teens in the Lower Mainland of BC.
There was Bumpers aka The Zone first though. I went there a few times too.
When I first started going to Changes it was more Top 40 with some 80s New Wave music.
I remember one time, getting ridiculously drunk. Yes, at 14 – I would drink. I was going through a lot mentally and I thought, hey my mom drinks her problems away… I am being glib but you know, influences are what they are, when you live with drinkers. And cigarette smokers.
I got so sick from the alcohol one night, because I still didn’t know how much was too much. I ended up vomiting in the Changes bathroom, and passing out. Literally laying on the bathroom stall floor with my arms wrapped around the base of the toilet. I woke up to a woman standing on the seat attempting to lift me up. The staff were very kind. A door man let me sit in his nice car, with the door open, as long as I promised to puke out the door.
My mom came to get me. I am sure she was proud. I puked out the car window on the ride home.
Since alcohol was forbidden in the clubs, kids often stole booze from their parents and got drunk that way – or did drugs.
Changes
Only You
Later in 1988 when they were trying to save Changes from going under, by making it harder for the gang bangers to get in, you had to have an ID to the club.
I had long black spiked hair. The camera malfunctioned and took just pure black images. The lady freaked out thinking it was supernatural.
My mom freaked out about my black hair and had me cut it all off and dye it lighter with streaks. The streaks went orange. It looked cool. I still managed to make it funky any way. Black clothing and Fluevog shoes was the way.
First time I ever dropped Acid (aka LSD) was also at Changes.
You see, by 1988 I was in a very dark phase of my style in life, and my personality. I was in therapy after a suicide threat, and hated the world and wanted to burn it down. That part of me still exists, the hating the world and wanting it to burn. It is a very good thing I don’t have supernatural powers.
So at age 15, when a friend from the club, offered LSD to me to try, I did.
My best friend CM and I rode the buses to get everywhere (until I could drive) and I vividly remember after the club closed, a large group of us waiting until morning for the first bus.
Then the bus and I, we had a conversation. The popcorn ceiling at home danced in patterns like ants. LSD or mushrooms became my thing to do later in my late teens. And agains after the car accident that I had at 19. The last time I dropped acid was probably around 1999.
There is a nostalgic story in the Surrey Now, reminiscing about those days.
Although Dave Genn used to go there, I don’t think Dave and I ever crossed paths back then, that I can remember anyway. Dave Genn is a decent guy by the way. In 1999 he was trying to warn me about Matthew Good.
I am part of the Facebook Group for Bumpers and Changes that are referenced in the news article.
Gerald and some of the guys from Changes (read the article) ended up opening The Paramount Young Adult Nite Club in New Westminster, BC before Changes went under in 1988.
I worked the concession at The Paramount. That is another fun time of my life.
Uploaded May 24, 2023