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if I know."
Then again, she's never been in a mosh pit, either.
"Concerts are for having fun at," says the Cleveland Mosh Team in their mission statement. "It isn't about owning' the pit. It isn't about being a badass' and punching and pushing everyone else. It's about creating and maintaining a safe and fun environment for everyone at the show. This means that everyone is responsible for watching out for each other."
Hardly something you would expect to hear from somebody wearing a black hat with small protruding spikes and a bandanna around his face-the apparent dress code for the Team as shown on their Myspace page.
Oh, and yes, you read that right. There actually exists an organized team dedicated to the concept of safe moshing. And yes, they even have a mission statement. And they aren't alone, either. Several groups of tattooed, stud-sporting pit-goers have cropped up across the United States to advocate what most would call the unspoken rules of moshing.
The pandemonium witnessed by so many on the outside of a mosh pit is often countered by the responsibility on the minds of those on the inside. Fun, not violence, is the name of the game to the vast majority. Those willing enough to fight past a wall of screams and moving body parts often find a misrepresented subset of society exemplified by teamwork, respect, and the ever-present helping hand. Throughout the country, and thanks to thousands of shows, a truly distinct culture has developed out of the mayhem of the mosh pit. And, just like any other culture, social rules and norms are bound to emerge.
"If someone falls over, stop moshing immediately and help the person get up," says one concert fan.
"Don't be touching any of the girls inappropriately, guys-got to respect the women," said Thomas Flowers, lead singer for the rock band Oleander, in 2000 during a set in Dallas, Texas.
"Kicking and punching is generally regarded to be a breach of Pit Etiquette. Shoving or pushing with the forearms or elbows is preferred," according to one mosher's web site. "This rule has an exception in hardcore pits."
"Remove any spike bands, joint rings, or similar jewelry before entering the pit if there is any danger of hurting others," according to unityhxc.com, a self-described hardcore radio show and hardcore database. "Don't enter the pit drunk. We're not here to baby sit you. If you are at the edge of the pit, you are assumed to have taken on the task of shielding those outside the pit from any persons who may
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by Dorito
Ah yes, the all glorious mosh pit. When you hear the word "mosh" you might think of a group of young thugs beating each other
by Renee Asher
The mosh pit. Never such a misunderstood facet of a subculture as this. Originally, the mosh pit was more of a circle dance,
Having been to enough concerts where moshing occurs, I can say with relative certainty that I could do without it. It annoys
by Sam Bramley
Mosh pits belong in the nineties, and personally, I think they should stay there. How can you possibly savour the experience
Moshing is not part of the "culture" per se. Moshing is counter cultural as is the whole heavy metal scene. However, the
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