“Gurning Rave Guy” unveils the night behind the meme

Over a decade ago, Shaun Jackson became an internet sensation after a promotional video for Rumes nightclub in Preston captured his exuberant dance moves and intense facial expressions. The clip, part of the “Bounce by the Ounce” series, showcased Jackson‘s wide-eyed, teeth-clenching enthusiasm, earning him the moniker “Gurning Rave Guy” and propelling him into meme stardom.

In a 2019 interview on the Flexxed podcast, Jackson candidly recounted the substances he consumed that night. He admitted to drinking three-quarters of a bottle of vodka and taking several doses of high-quality MDMA. Despite the influence, Jackson emphasized that his animated performance was intentional, stating, “When I go out anyway, if there is a camera there or not, I am always doing a bit of mad stuff just to get people laughing.”

Jackson‘s unexpected fame led to further recognition, including an appearance at the Glastonbury music festival and the creation of an action figure in his likeness. Reflecting on that night, he expressed only one regret: that no one captured the wildest moments on camera.

Check out the viral video of the legendary Gurning Rave Guy here – tripping hard, pulling wild faces, and embodying pure rave chaos.

H/T: Meredith Kile, VICE.