Moshing: Is it Right? (appeared in Issue #3)

written by Mike Jones

At sometimes when things aren't going you just need to relax. At other times you can feel so worked up that there is only one soloution. To mosh. Moshing, moon-stomping, the pit - all terms related to a sport that has been around the music world for ages.

Moshing is basically a game where people shove into each other. Almost everywhere you go, there are different types of mosh pits. There are mainly two I can think of. One, the most common, is a circle where people stomp around in circles and ram into each other. The other is what they do at alternative shows. They just push each other back and forth.

Now if you are new to this, I must warn you MOSHING IS DANGEROUS. I mean, it's not like you can die from it or anything - well, actually I take that back. I recall a few years ago, I think 3 people died in a Smashing Pumpkins mosh pit in Dublin, Ireland. At the last show I went too, people got bloody noses, and I even saw 2 stretchers being brought in. I've seen a lot. Bloody ten years olds trying to celebrate a birthday party, end up going to a hospital due to some crazy hOOligan moshers. need i say more?

Well as a matter of fact, i doo need to say more. Because It probably seems like I am against moshing. Well, I think it all depends. Some places have anti-moshing laws, such as the Smashing Pumpkins, and also various clubs. I personally don't have too much of a problem with it, because sometimes you just have an urge. But, then there are thoose people, who spend thier whole life trying to hurt people and get drunk and crazy, and that bugs me. Some people want moshing laws to be tighter at ska shows. They prefer to let the music speak for itself. While other people say, "Power to the People!" and want to be able to stomp around all night. do you have an opinion? want to voice it? send some email and write your response and we'll post it.