The mosh pit is a hub of progressive ideas and people. It is where females shed the confines of gender by jovially elbowing me in the ribs. It is where people of all classes, creeds, some other stuff I can’t think of, colors and political affiliations come together to unite against not rocking out. I like to describe it as uncivil obedience. You’d think Wesleyan students would be well-adapted to situations like this, but the contrary is evident. There are some serious violations of mosh etiquette going on at Wesleyan rock shows.
Mosh pit etiquette is derived partly from the history of the pit, but mostly from common sense. Here are the statutes that Weskids have the most trouble with:
– Help someone out if they fall down or trip. If you’re skanking or headbanging, you’ll probably be glancing downward anyway, so be aware of fallen soldiers.
– Don’t push a large mass of people. Pushing should be kept to a minimum, and it should only be used in self defense. I’ve seen people adjusting their entire posture to give giant heaves. Hey, moron, I hear a new version of Grand Theft Auto has just come out. Why don’t you live out your sadistic nerd-o fantasies that way? n00bz.
– With that in mind, let’s focus the kinetic momentum away from the stage. People standing in front are messing up their legs. Entire rows of people shouldn’t have to brace themselves against platform elevated barely above their shins, even if that’s the only way you’ll ever get a good look at my hot hot hot hot hot hot hot ass.
– Don’t wear those hard boots and stomp around like a lunatic. It’s a one-or-the-other thing. I don’t have a problem with your ironic look, or your ironic stupidity. Just keep it out of the pit.
– Don’t throw punches. Sure you might catch a fist, shoulder or elbow by accident, but the mosh pit is not a slugfest.
Accidents and some minor discomfort are guaranteed in just about any mosh pit, but inflicting pain is not a mosher’s goal. The mosher seeks expression by dancing like a lunatic, bumping into people, bouncing off of people, and releasing angst in a quasi-controlled manner. With the Administration combing the campus for things to “mainstream” in order to appease the alum tools, we have to preserve each other in order to preserve our subcultures.
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