I like music. In addition to writing for this fine college publication that you see before you and 3 well known film sites that I will be classy enough not to name drop here, I also write for a Canadian based, punk rock oriented online-zine. Last year I went to about 27 concerts. I love to slam dance or, “mosh” if you will.
But at a recent performance from LA’s wonderful “The Briggs” things reached a breaking point for me. Of late, it seems that more and more people are forgetting the basic courtesies that make running into a crowd of people, fists first, such an enjoyable pastime. So, for the common good, I humbly offer you this “thrash course” in mosh pit etiquette.
In a mosh pit, you don’t aim for the face, you don’t aim to do harm. You keep beating on the smallest guy in the crowd and someone bigger than you will notice, and you will be punished. Stay on your feet as much as possible. But, if you fall, don’t worry, in a good pit, you will be grabbed by others and lifted back up before you even hit the ground.
If you see someone else fall, no rubbernecking. Help them up, or get out of the way. If you end up in a human pileup, get on your feet as soon as possible. If you see a fight, if you’re big enough, pull the people apart. If you’re smaller, get back and don’t exacerbate things. If someone looks injured or is just trying to get out of the pit, let them. If you see someone show you their hands in a stop motion, don’t push them-let them through.
If you are on the edge of the pit, expect to have people run into you. It’s okay to push them back. In fact, it can be helpful to the movement and momentum of the moshing. However, it isn’t okay to stand on the edge and slap people as they go by, or kick them in the back. If you do, someone will grab your arm or leg and throw you in, and it won’t be pretty.
Don’t hold a beer near the pit. A wet floor is dangerous. In fact, don’t be totally wasted near the pit at all. Also, don’t be the jerk who tosses the ice from his drink into the pit. Wet floors suck.
Don’t cop a feel on any girl running around. It’s creepy and you’ll get your ass kicked, probably by her.
If you think you’ve hit someone too hard or done any damage, find that person at the end of the song and give them a high five or a hug. Everyone is there to have a good time, remember that.
If you’re a girl, don’t get up on some guys shoulders and run around the pit. It’s stupid, dangerous and obnoxious. The only reason to be on someone else’s shoulders is if you are trying to get up and crowd surf, or, if for whatever reason, you decide you just have to flash the band.
As a side note, I wouldn’t encourage doing the second one. The guys in the band are sweaty, and weird, always. And there is a 50/50 chance they have herpes. Even higher if they’re a famous band.
Stage diving is okay, but make sure you get some momentum because you’ll look stupid if you get pushed back up onto the stage when you don’t jump out far enough.
You are responsible for making sure you don’t land on your head after crowd surfing. If you are going to stage dive/crowd surf, give the band space to keep playing, and make sure you keep your boots away from people’s heads. And finally, if you weigh 300 pounds, you can’t stage dive.
