Take No Prisoners: The Desert Storm Sound System Story

Description

Keith Robinson, known affectionately to his friends as ‘Keef’, was the founder and driving force behind Desert Storm Sound System from its early days putting on the first free parties in Glasgow and the West of Scotland through to his place at the forefront of the fight against 1994’s Criminal Justice Act and the Reclaim the Streets Campaign, and on to his amazing journey to Bosnia in 1995.

Over the 25 years of his involvement in the free party and techno scenes, Keef inspired and influenced so many people across Europe. His organisational skills were almost as legendary as his capacity for decadent levels of partying, but he was also very much an innovator and someone determined to bring a sense of social conscience to what was often a purely hedonistic scene.

At the time of his death, Keith was in the process of having his life and experiences turned into a book from his often manic notes. It’s taken nearly nine years but it’s worth the wait. His story needs to be recorded for posterity, to remember the many moments of joy and happiness he brought to friends and acquaintances, and to stand as an inspiration to a new generation.

Quotes

“Keith was one of the most remarkable and inspiring characters in UK rave culture history – an intrepid motivator who led a thrilling life to a heartbreaking conclusion.” Matthew Collin (author of Dream Machines, Rave On and Altered State)

“Keith fearlessly brought the healing energy of music to where it was most needed. Whether that was across borders into war-torn Bosnia, or through police roadblocks to fill the empty spaces in Britain’s soul.” Mark Angelo Harrison (author of A Darker Electricity: The Origins of the Spiral Tribe Sound System)

“I think in any life, and especially the party scene, just occasionally we come across someone whose charisma, energy and sheer lust for life takes your breath away. They say that those stars which burn the brightest burn the fastest and that was Keith. A rare soul, a legend, a tragic loss…” Harry Harrison (author of Dreaming in Yellow: The Story of the DiY Sound System)

“Keith was that rare character: a person you’d meet once and remember for the rest of your life. A lot of people will rightly admire him for being a lifelong raver, and the most interesting person at any party. But his appetite for life was only matched by a real, no-BS compassion for other people. We could all be more like Keith.” Ray Philp (RBMA/Microplastics)