90's Now: Proletarians from the '90s

“Die Neunziger.” I’ve always thought that sounded better than “the ’90s.” The Dutch equivalent has a bit of a corny ring to it. And that shouldn’t be the case, because I still go under the assumption that “die Neunziger” are totally hip.

Maybe it’s a misconception of my own generation, because let’s face it: the music from that decade is downright bad. One by one, the tracks get played during “cheesy hours.” And you can barely admit that you’re actually a bit of a “happy hardcore type.” Because that just sounds so dumb.

And yet, last weekend I found myself once again standing in a packed little Berlin venue with my hands in the air and a pair of sticky jeans clinging to my butt. A place where tourists don’t go, because there aren’t any hardcore house DJs spinning there. There are no darkrooms, and you can’t really call it an “alternative scene” either.

No, it was actually what you used to call a “disco.” Surrounded by older girls whose hair was either too black or too blonde. Or, in the worst case, both (a blonde layer over black strands). Who wore tacky jewelry and glittery tops. And who would probably be turned away from a real Berlin club. The Berlin prototype of the “Proll”*.

*(It would be going too far to explain that here. The word is derived from “Prolet,” which used to be a term for the ordinary worker—the social underclass that got the short end of the stick during the industrial era. Girls like this are the Prolls of today. They’re undoubtedly working behind a cash register somewhere and exhibit certain behavioral traits. Just like their men. Who never let go of their beer bottles, even during the day, who always wear sneakers under their jeans. And who proudly dye a strand of hair blonde, without necessarily having to come on to their own gender.)

So last weekend, none of that mattered. Because just like all those “Prolls,” I, too, went wild when I heard this (Marusha – Somewhere Over the Rainbow) or this music. Real blockbusters. 15 years old, but oh so Berlin. My Berlin from back in the day. With strobe lights (why don’t they ever turn those lights on anymore, by the way? It’s fantastic to dance to them! And where did the laser show go, anyway? That was such a great idea, too).

I’ll admit it: I love the ’90s.