Rave lifers tell us why it's acceptable to go raving aged 37 (and beyond)

What would you say to someone that told you 37 is too old for clubbing?

That, originally, house music had no boundaries. It was a dancefloor filled with people from all walks of life, of all ages, all backgrounds as everyone was there for one sole purpose - the music. In the hedonistic days of acid house, no one ever asked your age. No one cared other than your name and what pills you had taken. If we saw someone older then we praised them, not put them down. And that is how we would like it to stay, with that attitude. Sadly the VIP culture has ruined the ethos but that's a whole other story as we know.

Is that togetherness what you love most about clubbing?

Yes. Definitely. It's like a family. My best mate of 27 years I met on a podium. House music never leaves you. It's in your blood. Unless you've experienced a dancefloor community it's hard to explain to others who don't like house.

Are there any obstacles you can see getting in the way of your clubbing lifestyle? Because a lot of people might say age is the first thing that gets in the way.

Kids! A Sunday with small children is not fun after a night out. Mine are older so not so bad. I think we older ones are pretty sensible to be honest. So work still happens on a Monday albeit it with a fuzzy head. We just go out less. Could not do it every week like we used to!

What were you in Mixmag for in the 90s?

I was in an article in Sept '96, I think, about working in Ibiza. I had a few pics in the front section from nights out. I got to know Daniel Newman who was the photographer at the time and had some crazy Ibiza moments with him and Alexis Petridis [former Mixmag Features Editor, now chief Rock & Pop critic at the Guardian], including having a bump driving their hire car in front of two police men in Ibiza town after Manumission.

So how often would you say you go out these days?

I'm trying to calm down so stick to festivals mainly and the odd night. My mates are club promoters or DJs so I go out to their nights or with them. Probably once every two months. When I was running my night though, I was at something every month. It contributed to my relationship breaking down as he thought I was out too much.

I'm sorry to hear that.

Ah it's fine. He wanted to rein me in. Life is for living.

So who's your favourite DJ?

Well I mainly go to old-skool nights. I love Brandon and Alex. And then I was at Glasto the other week watching Jackmaster just playing old stuff. I love Norman Jay. I have to say Rob Tissera as he is a good friend of mine. Carl Cox is always superb. Saw Spen and Karizma in Feb at Hard Times and they were great. Love Greg Wilson. There are too many to mention really. More bothered about the tunes and who is there than who is playing.

Any younger DJs?

I'll have to say Josh Butler as he's local to me. Andrea Oliva is good too. I actually take less notice of who is playing these days. Went to Ushuaïa closing last year and can't tell you who played.