Mosh Pits

[Liquidshokk]

Just had a debate with my lodger about mosh pits, which until this evening I had no idea what one was!*

 

Seems people start smacking each other about to the sound of slipknot, slayer etc with no offence taken and congratulate each other on a good shot with a shake of the hand!

 

Have I just lived a very sheltered life or are others in the dark about this going on?

 

The debate escalated onto whether this negative activity is right or wrong, to which I feel strongly that it is abnormal and I see no benefit to smacking another human in the face regardless of what terms it is on. His argument was that everyone knows what they are going into and refused to accept that the people involved have deep rooted issues and seek that thrill for a phsycological reason...

 

I'd be interested to hear peoples views on this....

[Smirking_Saint]

Its expected, if your not up for a ruck steer clear.

 

I got absolutely battered by some mean looking american prison inmate when i was 16 at a Metallica gig, that hurt. I don't usually get involved anymore, just stay towards the back with plenty of space and within easy reach of the bar.

 

Coincidentally, went to Gaslight Anthem gig Friday and they were f*cking awesome.

[Liquidshokk]

Its expected, if your not up for a ruck steer clear.

 

I got absolutely battered by some mean looking american prison inmate when i was 16 at a Metallica gig, that hurt. I don't usually get involved anymore, just stay towards the back with plenty of space and within easy reach of the bar.

 

Coincidentally, went to Gaslight Anthem gig Friday and they were f*cking awesome.

 

So has your opinion on such an activity changed now that you don't partake? Do you think it's stupid and a bit immature like I do??? My lodger is 24 and until hearing about his potentially broken knuckles tonight I thought he was only slightly mental. I stand corrected. Boy has issues.

[norwaysaint]

A mosh pit has nothing to do with hitting people, during my teens and early twenties I was in loads and never once saw anyone being hit or hitting anyone. It's just the area directly in front of centre stage, meaning the people there are the ones who are most enthusiastic and desperate to get close to the band. Because it ends up very tight for space it becomes impossible to dance properly so what you end up with is about a hundred very sweaty and over-exuberant people basically moving/jumping together in a mass and still trying to push past each other to get closer and make space for themselves.

It can get very "shovey" but anyone who starts hitting people there is as much of a **** as if they did it anywhere.

[saint lard]

I nearly died in the mosh pit at both Metallica and Skid row gigs,being only 5ft 4in in height does not help i can assure you.

[Liquidshokk]

A mosh pit has nothing to do with hitting people, during my teens and early twenties I was in loads and never once saw anyone being hit or hitting anyone. It's just the area directly in front of centre stage, meaning the people there are the ones who are most enthusiastic and desperate to get close to the band. Because it ends up very tight for space it becomes impossible to dance properly so what you end up with is about a hundred very sweaty and over-exuberant people basically moving/jumping together in a mass and still trying to push past each other to get closer and make space for themselves.

It can get very "shovey" but anyone who starts hitting people there is as much of a **** as if they did it anywhere.

 

That was my point. I couldn't differentiate between hitting someone in the street or whilst in front of a band listening to music. Guess the definition varies from place to place. This particular mosh pit was at joiners in Southampton and was actually during a hip hop style night, which I'm told is unheard of....

 

I guess if its just a load of pushing and shoving then no harm done... I'll still give it a miss though....

[Joensuu]

That was my point. I couldn't differentiate between hitting someone in the street or whilst in front of a band listening to music. Guess the definition varies from place to place. This particular mosh pit was at joiners in Southampton and was actually during a hip hop style night, which I'm told is unheard of....

 

I guess if its just a load of pushing and shoving then no harm done... I'll still give it a miss though....

 

 

Firstly, the Joiners is too small for a proper mosh pit. Secondly, despite seeming aggressive, there is a real sense of equality in most mosh pits, if you fall people try to help you up. Also, you put more effort into barging stronger people, whereas you don't throw your full weight into someone who you feel looks weaker (unless you lose your balance).

 

I've often wondered if there is something tribal about it all, the young 'warriors' letting off energy, and establishing some form of social structure based on strength. Immature maybe, but when you walk out covered in sweat you do get a strange sense of achievement.

[Liquidshokk]

Firstly, the Joiners is too small for a proper mosh pit. Secondly, despite seeming aggressive, there is a real sense of equality in most mosh pits, if you fall people try to help you up. Also, you put more effort into barging stronger people, whereas you don't throw your full weight into someone who you feel looks weaker (unless you lose your balance).

 

I've often wondered if there is something tribal about it all, the young 'warriors' letting off energy, and establishing some form of social structure based on strength. Immature maybe, but when you walk out covered in sweat you do get a strange sense of achievement.

 

So what level of aggression is/should be used? Is it simply shoulder barging or are digs/punches commonplace?

[thefunkygibbons]

Mosh pits are not the problem

 

It is when some muppet tries to start one at the wrong sort of concert

[thefunkygibbons]

If you want to see what they are like, youtube has plenty including the classic wall of death by Lamb of God

[Joensuu]

So what level of aggression is/should be used? Is it simply shoulder barging or are digs/punches commonplace?

 

No aggression should be used, that's a line nobody in a mosh pit should cross. Punching is definately not part of moshing. It's all about shoulder barging and using your weight. So a better question might be, 'what level of strength is/should be used?'. And the answer to that is, it depends upon who you are barging into. If the person you are about to shoulder barge has already knocked you flying, and seems to be built like something out of Conan, then apply your full weight and strength (not aggression), but do expect to be knocked flying for your efforts. However if the person you are considering shoulder barging is small, or looks like they are struggling don't barge them. There's no kudos in barging weaker people.

[SparkySaint]

Rave mosh pits are much better. No ones is punching or kicking or anything like that. Anyone ever been to a rave call Storm?

[Robsk II]

I got absolutely battered by some mean looking american prison inmate when i was 16 at a Metallica gig, that hurt.

 

 

Don't you think you should have called the police? Escapees sometimes have rewards out.

[The Cat]

Went in a few back in the days when I was well into metal. The one for Sepultura at Donnington in '94 was a step too far though, I saw big muscular blokes retreating back through the crown for fear of their lives.

[latter day saint]

Rave mosh pits are much better. No ones is punching or kicking or anything like that. Anyone ever been to a rave call Storm?

used to go raving a lot early 90's & never experienced a mosh pit. the odd sweaty gurner stomping into to me with his eyes rolled over was as close as i got.

do remember a mate telling me about this techno/gabba club he went to in italy where all the locals pilled into each other in the middle of the dance floor & made a human tower/pyramid like they do in those religious festivals.messed his head up when he came back from the bogs & saw them all swaying towards him

[Jonnyboy]

Firstly, the Joiners is too small for a proper mosh pit. Secondly, despite seeming aggressive, there is a real sense of equality in most mosh pits, if you fall people try to help you up. Also, you put more effort into barging stronger people, whereas you don't throw your full weight into someone who you feel looks weaker (unless you lose your balance).

 

I've often wondered if there is something tribal about it all, the young 'warriors' letting off energy, and establishing some form of social structure based on strength. Immature maybe, but when you walk out covered in sweat you do get a strange sense of achievement.

 

you can mosh in the joiners, fact

[Somewhere In Northam]

That was my point. I couldn't differentiate between hitting someone in the street or whilst in front of a band listening to music. Guess the definition varies from place to place. This particular mosh pit was at joiners in Southampton and was actually during a hip hop style night, which I'm told is unheard of....

 

I guess if its just a load of pushing and shoving then no harm done... I'll still give it a miss though....

 

i think youll find that was a fight not a mosh

[SparkySaint]

used to go raving a lot early 90's & never experienced a mosh pit. the odd sweaty gurner stomping into to me with his eyes rolled over was as close as i got.

do remember a mate telling me about this techno/gabba club he went to in italy where all the locals pilled into each other in the middle of the dance floor & made a human tower/pyramid like they do in those religious festivals.messed his head up when he came back from the bogs & saw them all swaying towards him

 

My time for raving was from 2000 till 2005. I used to play Psy Trance which was very bass heavy

[SuperMikey]

Moshing is fun. It's especially fun for me, being 6'3 and 200 pounds. It means I can squash little pipsqueaks like saint lard.

[Barney Trubble]

It used to called slam-dancing at one time, I guess this the modern day name for it. I got a battering at a New Model Army gig once, had a tooth chipped and hit the deck after a good shot hit me full on. I soon recovered to introduce my forehead to the bridge of his nose, blood everywhere, he recovered though after ten minutes to pummel the **** out of me. A good night was had by all.

[Miffy]

Went in a few back in the days when I was well into metal. The one for Sepultura at Donnington in '94 was a step too far though, I saw big muscular blokes retreating back through the crown for fear of their lives.

 

Two people did die in a mosh a Donnington 1988.

 

http://www.ukrockfestivals.com/donington-1988.html

 

In my expereince they were usually very vigourous and sometimes brutal, but never spilled over into violence. I used to love them, bit old now, but would still give it a try.

[Saint137]

Sadly those Donington deaths weren't much to do with moshing, it was mainly bad stage design and bad crowd control. Rather like Hillsborough it was inevitable people would die at some point in those huge uncontrolled masses of bodies. There's always been a risk at gigs large and small, I remember getting choked at a gig at Southampton Uni when I went over in the pit and someone's arm ended up across my throat. Also remember being rammed in so tight at U2 @ Wembley (Joshua Tree tour) that I could lift my feet off the ground, and I was probably around 20 stone at the time. The year after Donny something like a dozen people died in similar circumstances at Roskilde in Denmark. Those of us who stood on terraces in the 80s will know what its like to be crushed in a crowd like that, as much as I hate sitting at football I don't miss the fear of being unable to get out or catch my breath.

[buctootim]

It used to called slam-dancing at one time, I guess this the modern day name for it. I got a battering at a New Model Army gig once, had a tooth chipped and hit the deck after a good shot hit me full on. I soon recovered to introduce my forehead to the bridge of his nose, blood everywhere, he recovered though after ten minutes to pummel the **** out of me. A good night was had by all.

 

Went to a Stranglers gig at the old Top Rank in 1977. 3,000 people in the venue with a capacity limit of 1,800. The whole place was a slam dance / mosh pit that night.