Essay

Laura Hernandez
Mrs. Boresen
Expos., Period 6
Essay
February 4, 2009


The word mosh comes from the word mash, which basically means to crush something or step on something. It is said that some of the first mosh pits were most likely around in the late 1970’s. But in 1981 at a Black Flag concert in New York, slam dancing was indeed going on in the crowd (“Pit History” 1). Ever since, moshing has evolved into one of the biggest things you would find at a rock show. Breakdown, slam dancing, hardcore, or just simply mosh, are all words most middle American teenagers have heard of at least once before. Along with several other words they all have the same meaning, which is “to engage in uninhibited, often frenzied activities (as intentional collision) with others near the stage at a rock concert” (Merriam-Webster‘s Collegiate Dictionary Eleventh Edition 809). Anyone who has ever experienced or been apart of this would be considered a mosher. Mosher’s would be the typical people who are pumped up in the middle of the arena’s dance floor doing any of the crazy moves, from ninja pitting to crowd surfing. While watching or being near the chaos of moshers, I developed my own opinion. To me, moshers are the crazy, violent fans who are enjoying themselves way too much in the middle of the pit. Just imagine being front and center at a Bring Me The Horizon show, only knowing that the people behind you are going to push you even closer to the stage then you already are; along with that, you’re nervous because you know that there is always that possibility of getting pulled into the mosh pit.
Today, moshing would be considered a type of dance, just like hip-hop, country, or any other type of movement to a beat. Genres of music all have their different styles of dancing. In hip-hop, a dancer would usually be found doing the two-step or the Soulja Boy. Different from other types of dancing, moshing is mostly found in different types of Rock. All the various moshing styles are based upon the genre of Rock it is. Breakcore is a mosh pit mainly used while listening to extreme electronic dance music. But switching over to a song that is mellow yet heavy metal at the same time, slower moshes would be going on; such as grindcore, which is usually referred to as a grind. One of the most popular moshes would be in the form of hardcore dancing. This type of mosh is faster and mechanical, mainly because when doing this the music is harder and faster. Hardcore dancing includes many of the other different types of moshing all in one mosh pit. Everything from wind milling, ninja pitting, crowd circling, and a circle pit are all included just in hardcore dancing. In this generation mosh pits can be either violent or peaceful depending on the type of music being played (“Pit History” 1).
Many people go to Rock concerts knowing that moshing might and will be a factor while at the show. Although they already know this, most of the time there will always be that group of people who don’t enjoy it. Like mentioned before, when and where moshing takes place depends on the genre of the Rock that is being played. When listening to harder bands such as Bring Me The Horizon or Alesana, concert attendees should not be surprised when the moshing starts as soon as the music gets going; whereas other shows that play softer more indie-pop-rock music, concert goers would be shocked if moshing started. So, being at a The Maine or We The Kings show, fans shouldn’t expect to start a circle pit. Studies have shown that music sets the mood, and certain types of rhythms can build intense feelings for people. Faster music is typically played by harder Rock bands, which makes people excited and pumped up. Music that is happier and more upbeat doesn’t make an audience feel as intense. This is where indie-pop-rock comes into effect. (“Violence in Movies, Music, and the Media” 7-8). Fans build off of the bands energy and music, which can either lead to a “happy” dance or a mosh pit.
Music will lead you to feeling different things, whether that emotion is happy, sad, risky, or angry. Depending on the energy around you, that can also lead you to doing different actions. Two-stepping, square dancing, or moshing are all possible outcomes of what genre of music you are listening to. Deciding whether or not to be in the middle of that circle pit getting ready to breakdown into a hardcore dance, or holding onto the barricade for dear life is something to ask yourself. Now you tell me, which one will you be?