Anyone who has ever gone to a hardcore gig knows that moshing is part of the show. Back in the day it was slam dancing, stage diving, ‘skanking’ even. Now? Well just like the genre itself the ‘dance’ has changed dramatically.
Now there are ‘walls of death’ and surfing and whatever but the fact is its pretty freaking tame and it looks pretty dumb.
Heres how it goes, your buddies give you a boost then arms above head they pass you forward to a fat security guard at the front of the stage who them gingerly places you to the ground and you go around for another ride.
Then there is this weird sorta Lucky Charms jig being done where you basically kick yourself in the ass while jerking about like a spastic rag doll…. or the arm trashing windmills of fun (which reminds me of the insanity at Agnostic Front shows back in the day)
Anyone remember sneaking on to the stage to dive off of it or using your shoulder to smash people out of the way? Heck I totally do. It was tough looking it was hardcore. Now its watered down wimprock. They have this other thing where they form a big circle and run…..this produces a great breeze to those standing around but back in my day.. Id have put out a foot to tumble your asses to the ground. Its sterilized and almost introverted. I remember leaving the crowd of Black Flag shows missing a shoe and bleeding and I wasn’t even IN the pit
But now.. well now.. Girls do surfing. From the looks of these brave femmes its the only time they’re going to get touched intimately and perhaps that’s why they do it. But there is something hysterical about a girl in low rise jeans being passed to a guard. Sorta makes you hope theres a human sacrifice at the end. Again back in my day shed be thrown by her hair now its staged theres no raw power. Gidget gets 15 guys to put their hands on her ass and the glory of telling her cheerleader sisters she was in the pit. What the hell?
I’m a sexist pig. Girls do not belong in a pit. Boys are there to strut it, its a ritualistic right of man passage (or it was) Guys look strong and tough and mean, girls look stupid weak and not even slutty, just dumb. Ladies, just don’t do it. Have your boyfriend toss you around for fun, but at a hardcore show keep your Uggs on the floor.