So, it’s been a long time since I have been to a punk rock show… or really any kind of show or concert. It’s been even longer since I was a regular attendee or participant in such shenanigans.
I posted about it on FB a bit, but wanted to share it here too and see if it sparked any discussion on obtaining bootlegs (or official recordings) on shows you have attended.
Went to Setlist.fm, & made a playlist of all 3 bands’ songs last night on Amazon. We live in the FUTURE.
Although, this is slightly less cool than when I found an “Import” at CD Warehouse in Monroeville of the Bloodhound Gang at a show I saw at Metropol. I wish I had the Nerf Herder set from that night!
Somewhere, I probably still have cassette tapes of the Guns N’ Roses set from Three Rivers Stadium in the early 90s. Anyone remember those rock conventions where you could buy mad bootlegs that sounded like someone had a Radio Shack tape recorder jammed squarely up their keister?
I have legally purchased digital versions Metallica and Willie Nelson shows that I have attended. This shit ought to be standard practice for even smaller shows. I’d slap $ on top of the ticket price for a live recording of a show I attended, no problem.
Would you like to more easily be able to buy downloadable audio/video of shows or concerts that you attend? I know I would.
Looks like someone posted the sets from Monday on YouTube:
It was a late night for my dude, but he pepped up with these songs! We were up front (at Ian’s insistence) for #LeftAlone , the middle for #TheAggrolites , then hung back for #TheAquabats ! All the bands put one hell if a great show, and it will be a killer tour. I’ll have to wade through video & post some tomorrow night too. Maybe on YouTube. #PizzaDay#RoxianTheater#Pittsburgh#🍕📆
Let me set the stage… On my last ER trip, I was wearing “lounge” pants with a stretchy waist and drawstrings. After the mandatory 4 or 5 hour wait, I was called to go back. I was drawing mazes to pass the time, so pen & notebook in one hand, and phone in the other… I involuntary dropped trou as I marched toward the beckoning healthcare professional at the double-doors.
Luckily for me, any semblance of shame I had was gone years ago, and I have voluntarily de-pantsed myself in areas ranging from stages to bowling alleys for my own bemusement.
Luckily for my peers awaiting medical treatment, I was not going commando.
This leads to walking around in public today, hands full, and pants trying to shimmy down my waist. Thankfully, I was able to wiggle my decidedly unshapely hips like Shakira to keep everything in place.
Tightening my belt really isn’t helpful to my situation with the inflammation, and I don’t want to hinder the process of everything moving through my digestive system like some hyper-loop Maglev. I have dropped 25-ish lbs., so my clothes are as loose as my bowel movements.
Should I rock the Robin Williams suspenders look? The Amish look? The old man potbelly look? The Blippi w/ a bowtie? I like the mod/skinhead look, but few people know their roots go back to the mods who liked soul and reggae and can only think of the mostly bad connotations with that word & style. Go full hipster/craft brew enthusiast?
Can I pull off tucking in a T-shirt? Do I need to start wearing button downs and polos?
So, I’ve been to many types of shows at many types of venues. From stadiums to bars and from backyards to amphitheaters. I’ve seen rock shows, rap shows, country shows, and even Weird Al. Most of the shows I’ve attended fall in the punk or metal categories. The crowds can get rowdy. It’s expected, perhaps even demanded. I’ve pogoed in a circle when commanded to by Joey Ramone, sat nearly motionless in a sea of silver hair at a Willie Nelson show, and lost my shoe once in a pit at a Misfits show (only monetarily, and it was the first & last pair of Airwalks I’ve ever owned). I’ve been rubbed up against the sweaty shirtless guy, been flogged by the windmill hardcore kid, and burned buy the a-hole with a lit cigarette in the pit. I chalk it all up to part of the experience. Hell, I even had my nose broken in a stage diving incident. I’m no stranger to the pit.
The people are revolting, pushing the sweaty shirtless smelly guy out of the group.
I’m not saying that it doesn’t have it’s place. I’m just tired of the people who don’t “get” it. It always devolves into 2 or 3 probably drunken buttholes flailing around like fish out of water trying to start some kind of fight or prove their manliness. Generally people have good manners. Most people in the pit are just out to have fun bouncing around to the music, until it gets ruined by the few flailers.
It’s a weird topic to discuss. Saying the word “mosh” makes it an instantly corny conversation. I hate to say the word out loud because I’m old and it’s a young man’s (or brave young woman’s) game. It’s just getting out of control. I don’t want to see it stop, I just want to see it not be ruined by the few, the proud, the imbeciles. This was all sparked by our recent adventures at the Flogging Molly show. (Which musically, is a rather tame band… but crowd-excitement is off of the charts with them.)
We all know the “unwritten rules”, right? The only one that I’ve ever seen obeyed consistently is: If someone falls down, pick them up. This proves to me that we’re mostly all just out to have a good time & not hurt anyone. As for the rest, I guess I’m going to have to write them for you.
The biggest one and my spark for writing this blog?
Fig. A
Obey the Zone. This is the biggest rule that you need to adhere to. You can see in figure A that there is a clearly defined acceptable zone for pogoing / slam-dancing / moshing activity. It’s in yellow and black… for caution. It can get a little bigger or even smaller depending on the ferocity of the act on stage. The blue area is the crowd in general. Generally, there’s a row or two of people up front really into the band or show and unwilling to move no matter how many goofballs are bouncing off of their backs. This spills out & around to people that are just trying to watch the band. Is this that difficult? Am I wrong here?
Please see my additional figures B & C to help drive my point home…
Fig. B
Fig. C
In figure B we see the big red ⃠ symbol recognized as “No”. This is where you’re not supposed to flail, push, agitate, or try to cajole others into moshing. The other night when we were safely in this zone, a chubby young ginger-headed frat boy was doing exactly that, and looking at all of us like we were crazy for not wanting to hardcore dance with him 1-on-1 when it was happening with willing participants mere feet away. Was this kid afraid of the real pit? I say put on your big boy pants & get in there, Skippy. Or better yet, move into the Idoit Zone as illustrated by figure C.
This unwritten rule is written for you.
The idiot zone is formed when the people who do know how to act at a show force out the people who don’t. This is where the “too metal for you”, “hardcore windmillers”, and “guy with Greek letters on his hoodie & daddy issues” go to play. They’re convinced that no one can have a good time unless you go home with bruises. They feel that they are integral to your having the correct concert experience by placing an elbow repeatedly in your ribs or fist in your eye. They’re irate when you don’t want to participate. They go to the idiot zone to act like a wind-up toy and get out their frustration. They just paid $30-60 for a ticket, $9+ per beer, and $10-$20 for parking to ignore the band on stage.
Weenies.
You have to understand that the whole floor has the potential turn into that zone, and accept your risk of taking a wild hit or someone landing on you if you’re going to get down there anywhere close to the action. You most likely dropped some serious cash to see this show, and you’re there to see and hopefully enjoy the band… not to get distracted or assaulted by some self-appointed chairman of the mosh commission.
Well, that’s the big rule. What’s your take on concert etiquette? I’ll list some others, you give me more in the comments.
No lit cigarettes (or other burning substances) in the pit. Most venues in Pittsburgh don’t allow you to smoke in the first place. Besides billowing toxic crap into my air, burning someone while thrashing around like a toolbag is not cool. If you need to get high, go do it in a dark corner.
Don’t scream off-key into your neighbor’s ear. I paid lots of money for the people on stage to scream into my ear, not you. Shut up unless it’s a sing-along rock anthem.
If you’re on the edge of the circle, keep it from spilling over. Push the lugheads back into the fold. Protect the people around you who don’t want in it, and watch out for that kid that’s way too young to be there. Might be good to not trample him to death before he can drive.
You are not a windmill. No one thinks this is cool. No one likes getting punched in the head. No one is more entertained by you dancing like Frankenstein than by the band on stage.
We’re there to see the band, not you. You are not that guy on the runway, a traffic cop, or a cheer-leading coach. Stop gesturing wildly at people trying to get them to go in a circle, spin you around, run into you, or do the safety dance.
Now it’s your turn. While you think/type, please enjoy the following…
Vodpod videos no longer available.
This is not a dance.
(Also, feel free to post other songs about moshing, slam-dancing, circle pits, pogoing, or any related ridiculousness.)
Also… to the people who drink in the parking lot through the opening acts, then come in during the headliner barely knowing where you are or that you’re alive. Just stay home & get drunk. It’s cheaper and safer, and you don’t have the potential to puke on my shoes.
In other news, did you know that they both cater? I wish someone would have told me.
I actually stopped at the local Panera the other night because the wife was sick and wanted some of that cheese-broccoli soup. I went in to get some to go, and got myself a half of a turkey sandwich and a cup of the chicken noodle.
The employee (a young girl, of course) at the counter was quite friendly, asked if I wanted lettuce tomato or onion on the sandwich, and even asked if I wanted mustard and/or mayo. Clearly, someone went over new procedures. Sadly, I asked for lettuce & tomato… and got neither, but I did get mustard and mayo. I applaud the effort, and shame on me for not checking before I left the store.
I have to say, after my initial complaint, they have totally stepped it up service-wise. I still call shenanigans on the new soup. They ought to let sales do the talking… OFFER BOTH. It’s certainly a popular item. Let the consumers decide if they want a great-tasting soup… or the crappy flat-noodled healthy soup. Clearly, as a leader in the Fast Casual industry, you can afford to test the proverbial waters? I think more changes have been made, but it’s still not the old soup. Shenanigans.
Also, I counted 3 signs within a span of about 8 feet on the counter where you wait for your order advertising the catering… and the pop machine still does it too. I think the receipt may have even said something about it.
I spend far too much time contemplating fast food & fast casual dining. If only I could save time buy purchasing already prepared meals. Does anyone out there do that?
Look out Panera Bread, Boston Market has your number! I was out of town this weekend, and didn’t check email much. I didn’t have the time & energy to properly respond to this until we came home. I find this to be incredibly awesome. Dennis “The New Guy” Wakabayashi from Boston Market is ready to put his company’s catering services to the test. The line between my lunacy in email writing and reality is ever increasingly blurred. Perhaps my preposterous idea will turn into a real happening.
Insanity.
Sparked by some snarky postings of various blog post url’s on Facebook…
Hi, I’m the new guy here at Boston Market, just brought on, to engage with awesomeness like yours. I loved your article and definitely interested in the catering battle royal at your place…count me in! Not only that my friend your band has some T-shirt coming your way!
Send me a list of sizes, and a couple videos of your music, so we can be sure you’re rocking the family friendly vibe that we know and love….
If you want to reach out to me directly DO IT. dwakabayashi@bost.com (Senior Manager of Digital Marketing)
How’d you find my blog?: You posted on our Facebook page!
From: Waldo Lunar <world.and.lunar.domination@gmail.com> Date: Mon, Nov 14, 2011 Subject: Re: W(aL)D Feedback To: engage@bostonmarket.com Cc: dwakabayashi@bost.com
Shalom Dennis!
I see that more companies are hiring people in your position to figure out the best ways to use social media to their advantage. What a great thing! I have had some excellent interaction with Nate Riggs of Bob Evans. I have even had great dealings in the past with Lori Smelt at Boston Market.
I have a goofy email sending online persona, now named Waldo Lunar… that keeps clashing with the real me. It’s ever more impossible to separate the real from the absurd. Ha ha.
I have asked for the T-shirt sized of the other dudes in my band, but I’m not sure if their ideals would support such blatant corporate sponsorship. We are, after all, a punk rock band at heart. Then again, what’s more punk rock than doing the exact opposite of what a good punk rock band should do? Also, I’m just a Bert, so I must clear things with Ernie.
I’m not sure that the band, Ernie and the Berts, is family friendly. Despite this perhaps somewhat misleading name… we’re prone to spew forth occasional potty humor, sexual innuendo, and movie-Tourette’s-like bouts of profanity. Also, don’t ever eat Ernie’s soup. This has not stopped the interest of other yet-to-be-named possible corporate sponsors.
For your review and entertainment, I do however submit the following videos:
I trust that you’ll laugh, cry, and share with friends.
I’m glad that they have someone with some wit and intelligence monitoring Facebook for Boston Market. In 2011 (soon to be 2012), I feel that it’s extremely important for a company to use social media for important feedback regarding the perception of their brand & service.
I’m quite glad that you’re interested in the catering battle-royale! Unfortunately, I haven’t had any takers from the Panera Bread camp. In fact, I believe their policy is to ignore my emails from now on, or that I have been perhaps stifled by their in-house spam filtering system. I haven’t received so much as a “thanks for your interest” or even a “please stop emailing us.” They haven’t used Facebook to the advantage that you now have. Although, they did reply (uninterestingly) to a tweet. Do you perhaps have any professional colleagues at Panera that you could cajole into action? Since Batman Movie night has come & gone, my wife & I have discussed the possibility of a Back to the Future or Indiana Jones movie night.
Perhaps, with the lack of interest from Panera Bread, we could involve Bob Evans? Surely, your meal offerings are more in line with them, rather than some paltry soup and sandwiches? How would you feel about your chances against them? Maybe Panera needs to lie low in the media, in light of recent events that happened nearby.
You can send a goodwill token of appreciation for my new adventurous advertising ideas, if you end up using any of them. A commission check would be nice also. I excel in the ridiculous, but am unsure how to make a profit from such ridiculousness. Following the model put forth by advertising within the walls of where one is currently doing business, I figured it would be OK to ask in this email.
How do you feel personally about unabashed advertising for catering service while you’re currently in the place, already spending your hard-earned dollar? Let’s face it, at the brisket meal hovering around $10, I can go to a local diner for less and not be slapped with advertising while I sup. I go to Boston Market for the tasty meals, (perceived) speed of service, and glittering hope of consistency.
Imagine picking up a bottle of Coca~Cola at a convenience store, and on the label, it tells you to go buy a 24 pack of cans, 2-liter, and/or six-pack of bottles. At the moment, you’re interested in quenching your thirst… not stocking your ‘fridge or obtaining a caffeine high. Not a perfectly parallel predicament, but food for thought nonetheless.
I would like to thank you for your interest and the response to my insanity. I can’t wait to see how this plays out. Can you think of any other catering battle participants? Perhaps we can put together a rock n’ roll show rather than just a small movie night…
I’ll let you process all of this, and get back to me on your own time with your thoughts.
We have some shows coming up. You ought to attend. We’re a good time. I promise.
The Punk Rock Sock Hop Invades Pittsburgh! Sat.11/05/2011
This is going to be one crazy show… bands, magic, a DJ spinning 50’s tunes, zombies, contests, prizes, and probably even drunk chicks. You can get free admission and some other goodies from Pittsburgh Punk Rock with very minimal effort(if he extends the contest). This benefits Free Ride Pittsburgh, and is a Pittsburgh City Paper Critic’s Pick for this weekend! Click the flyer for details, links to all the other bands & entertainment!
Locksley, Ernie and the Berts, & The Mondze! 11/15/2011 @ The Smiling Moose!
Click the flyer for details, to see videos from all 3 bands, the link to buy tickets, and check the comments for the link to a free EP called Ghosts from Locksley with a fun Halloween theme! Erin saw these guys in concert, and wanted to bring ’em here to the ‘Burgh. You’ve heard the song “The Whip”. Lets show them some love! Help spread the word.
This topic was by my friend Laurel the other night at the Dropkick MurphysShamrock-N-Roll tour. I know I’ve had this conversation before with others. I decided to take it & digitally run with it. Stereotypes are generally a bad idea, but they sure are funny. A punk rock show, or really any show… is full of them. I’ll start a list. You’ll contribute in the comments.
“That” guy. Formerly known as “the guy that wears the shirt of the band he’s going to see”, but shortened to “that guy” because that’s a mouthful. I’ve been that guy. I bet you’ve been that guy. Somehow it’s sometimes seen as cool… and sometimes not. This is probably more acceptable/expected at a Misfits or ICP show than anywhere else.
The “Windmill” Guy. Generally, he’s in a college hoodie, maybe even with his Greek letters on it. He’s visibly drunk, and probably double-fisting when not in the pit, flailing his arms around in an effort to be cool and badass by totally missing the point of slam-dancing or moshing by trying to hurt people… and take as much punishment as they can get. You can also spot them by the off-kilter fitted cap, thank Fred Durst for these toolbags.
Old Creepy Guy. I’m rapidly becoming this guy. I’m cool with that. The recent Shamrock-N-Roll show saw a really diverse group of concert-goers. There were grandmas & grandkids all over the place! Generally though, at smaller shows… there’s a lone dude just hangin’ out that doesn’t seem like he’d be into whatever’s going on at all.
Your new best friend. Cat comes up & starts talking like you’re old buds. No big deal right? You’re obviously both fans of the same band, you’re both there. What’s the harm? The conversation turns way too intimate or inappropriate quite soon. You have no escape. This guy’s probably drunk. Hopefully, anyway. He has no concept of personal space, and is telling you all about the band/joke/logo on your T-shirt.
The “Stuffed Sausage”. Generally a petite-in-height but not in girth young lady with self-esteem issues. Most likely she started as quite an attractive curvy woman, but donned about 3 lbs. of makeup, pushed up and bared most of her boobies, hung some butt cheeks out of a tiny skirt or shorts… and all of her clothing is about 2 sizes too small. I’m not hatin’, I’m just sayin’.
The nearly blind-drunk guy. There’s always a stumbler ambling through the crowd that’s just there for beer. At $30-$50 for a concert ticket without TicketBastard fees, and $7-$9 per tiny draft beer… the whole concept is pretty ridiculous. This guy generally looks like he doesn’t belong anyway. He squints to see, walks sideways while looking straight ahead, and smells like the floor of a brewery.
The militant lesbian. I’m not going to say much here, for fear of getting beat up. The partially shaved head and camo pants are a sexy sexy combo that’s always in style.
Lookatmytats. This dude or dudette has spent thousands of dollars & hours under the needle, so they wear as little clothing as possible in order to bare their epidermal canvass. I would too were I all inked up, I think. Generally this is accompanied by gauges or other “non-traditional” piercings. Not to be confused with Lookatmytatas, who needs no explanation.
Wikipedia Guy. This one is always directly behind or in front of me at concerts where you have an actual seat… also prevalent at Pens games. Wikipedia guy isn’t here to be entertained, he’s here to wow the people with him & anyone in earshot with his knowledge of the band’s formation, various lineups, demo material, and complete discography including various pressings and formats. I’m in danger of being this guy, and it’s so annoying. I love my music & trivia… but try to only spout when asked, & not broadcast it.
That’s my starter list.
I know I’m missing more than a few that I see regularly, but I’m hoping someone else will think of them too… so I’m not all alone here. What about the kid with headphones? The super-fan? The crying girl? The PDA couple?
Please, leave the name of your concert-going stereotype in the comments section below. If you’re feeling creative, how about a description too? If you have landed here via Facebook or Twitter & you’re still logged in there… you can comment below with no hassles. You can also just comment w/o logging in. WordPress just asks for a name & an email address to go along with your comments, with the option of a URL.
What stereotype are you? Which one do you love? Which one do you hate? Which one are you? Which one am I? Have any comments/additions/corrections to the ones I’ve already listed?
Perhaps I’ll compile another blog with all the results, perhaps they’ll just live in the comments section… but I need your help making the list!
World (and Lunar) Domination 