At the time California hardcore punk bands such as the Circle Jerks and Dead Kennedys (DK) were popular in Orange County.īy the end of the 1980s, the initial wave of American hardcore punk had waned and split into other sub-genres. Examples of this early moshing can be seen in the documentaries Another State of Mind, Urban Struggle, The Decline of Western Civilization, and American Hardcore, as well as footage from the shows of the era. The first dance identifiable as moshing may have originated in Orange County, California, during the first wave of American hardcore. Through the mainstream success of bands like Anthrax, Nirvana, Stormtroopers of Death, and The Melvins, the term came into the popular vernacular. Fans of Billy Milano and the band Stormtroopers of Death have often used the term mosh as an acronym for the phrase "move over shit head" during crowded shows. By the time thrash metal band Anthrax used the term in their song " Caught in a Mosh", the word was already a mainstay of hardcore and thrash scenes. īy the mid-1980s, the term was appearing in print with its current spelling. Due to his Jamaican-accented pronunciation of the word, fans heard this as mosh instead. To "mash it up" was to go wild with the frenzy of the music.
of the band Bad Brains, regarded as a band that "put moshing on the map," used the term mash in lyrics and in concert stage banter to both incite and to describe the aggressive and often violent dancing of the scene. Early on, the dance was frequently spelled mash in fanzines and record liner notes, but pronounced mosh, as in the 1982 song "Total Mash" by the D.C.-based hardcore band Scream. The term mosh came into use in the early 1980s American hardcore scene in Washington, D.C. 3 Opposition, criticism and controversy.2 Physical properties of emergent behavior.Injuries have been reported in mosh pits, and a few deaths have occurred in a "Wall of Death", an offshoot that developed when slamdancing was adopted at metal shows from its origin at punk shows. While moshing is seen as a form of positive feedback or expression of enjoyment, it has also drawn criticism over dangerous excesses occurring in offshoots. Variations on the traditional mosh include "pogoing", "circle pits" and the more extreme "wall of death", and are typically done in an area in the center of the crowd, generally closer to the stage
Moshing usually happens in a "pit" (sometimes called a "mosh pit") and is intended to be energetic and full of body contact. Variations of moshing exist, and can be done alone as well as in groups. It is primarily done to live music, although it can be done to recorded music. It is usually associated with “aggressive” music genres, such as hardcore punk and numerous styles of heavy metal. Monday, there was a city hearing on it and the club was ordered to put up illuminated signs that say moshing isn’t allowed.Moshing, also known as “ slamdancing”, is a style of dance where participants push or slam into each other. The Herald says the House of Blues has already been cited for allowing it to go on during a concert last month, even though no injuries were reported. The club has agreed to put up signs that says mosh pits are banned.īrian Fair, vocalist for Boston band Shadows Fall, called the clampdown “ridiculous.” Musicians say slam dancing is part of the metal and hardcore culture.īut police say people can get hurt, and that it’s a safety hazard. Police say the dance violated safety rules and the club was cited because security did not intervene. Police say 60 concertgoers engaged in the violent dance.
The Boston Herald reports that police cited the House of Blues for a license violation because of a mosh pit that broke out during a Feb.
Police recently cited a city club for allowing violent mosh pit dancing and vowed a crackdown on what they called “dangerous behavior” and a “public safety hazard.” Good luck with that.īOSTON (FOX 25 / ) - Add slam dancing to activities banned in Boston. Patrick’s Day shows at the House of Blues tonight. Perfect timing, as the Dropkick Murphys kick off their first of three St. The club will put up signs saying that moshing is prohibited. Security didn’t stop the “violent dance”, and the The House of Blues was fined. Boston Bans Slam Dancing?Īt a recent Flogging Molly concert at the House of Blues, a mosh pit broke out (shocker).