The city of BOSTON doesn't like moshpits

[jhulud]

From Lambgoat:

The Red Chord frontman Guy Kozowyk posted a Facebook link to an article this morning that caught my eye. It was a piece on the Boston Herald website detailing the city of Boston's current efforts to do away with mosh pits.

The first paragraph of the article reads as follows:

Boston cops are cracking down on slam-dancing concertgoers, blindsiding a top Hub venue for a rowdy mosh pit at a recent gig and pledging to halt all "dangerous behavior" on the floor — prompting outrage from bands who say the aggressive dance style is an integral part of the show.

Apparently, the drama started when Boston police cited the House of Blues following a recent Flogging Molly show. Again, here's the Herald:

Boston cops cited the House of Blues for a license violation because of a mosh pit that broke out during a Feb. 21 show by Los Angeles band Flogging Molly. According to police, 60 concertgoers engaged in an "aggressive mosh pit dance," during which people were running and "colliding into each other," including some who were "knocked to the ground." No injuries were reported.

Personally, this seems like a waste of city time and resources. I've been to many shows in my day, and can count on one hand the number of times I've seen somebody seriously injured. Go fucking crack down on speeders, or people texting while driving. Then you'll actually do something to benefit society.

Shadows Fall vocalist Brian Fair sums up my sentiments fairly well in the article, stating, "I can understand trying to cut down on injuries or fights, but you see more fights outside a dance night on Lansdowne Street than you see inside a hardcore show."

People who don't want to get roughed up don't go in mosh pits. It's as simple as that. Don't play rugby if you don't want to get bruised. If you're really scared, don't go to Flogging Molly shows (lol).

Imagine if the Boston police had seen the Boston Beatdown DVD...

http://lambgoat.com/blog/316/Boston-cracks-down-on-moshing

[crime]

I lol'd when I saw "rowdy mosh pit", "dangerous behavior", "aggressive dance style" were used to describe a Flogging Molly show

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[controlthebleeding]

I lol'd when I saw "rowdy mosh pit", "dangerous behavior", "aggressive dance style" were used to describe a Flogging Molly show

exactly.

[crime]

lol yeah the first thing that popped into my head when reading that was this

http://www.dobi.nu/yourscenesucks/hottopic/index.htm

[shenanigans]

Ken Casey "I don't see it as a concern for us. Maybe in 1998 it would have been." Unfortunately, very true.

They're also requiring the HOB to put up no moshing signs

[adamlikesmusic]

I'm 100% for people not being allowed to "slam-dance".

[henster311]

i wanna see boston try and have pit less shows at the ICC

* also HOB sucks for any show.

[benchwarmer]

This isn't surprising. Also, going to the HOB is like going to a prison for a show. It's fairly ridiculous.

[crime]

This isn't surprising. Also, going to the HOB is like going to a prison for a show. It's fairly ridiculous.

How so? I'm not from Boston so I'm just curious.

[benchwarmer]

This isn't surprising. Also, going to the HOB is like going to a prison for a show. It's fairly ridiculous.

How so? I'm not from Boston so I'm just curious.

They are very strict. They usually have a no photo/video policy (but I think this could be the bands request), there's tons of security flashing flashlights at everyone. If you have a ticket for the 2nd floor, you aren't allowed to go downstairs and look at merch. It's a very odd environment to me.

[crime]

Awww. We have a venue like that in Toronto. It sucks pretty hard.

[henster311]

How so? I'm not from Boston so I'm just curious.

They are very strict. They usually have a no photo/video policy (but I think this could be the bands request), there's tons of security flashing flashlights at everyone. If you have a ticket for the 2nd floor, you aren't allowed to go downstairs and look at merch. It's a very odd environment to me.

first of all..what venue sells their own merch? chicks walking around with house of blues purses, dudes with awesome house of blues shirts, real cool. benchwarmer said it best. very strict. Last show I saw there in boston was reel big fish, and I had to get permission to go look at merch, then I was escorted by a security guard to look at shirts. I remember taking my sweet time, that was ridiculous. Balcony? its not very cool at all...its all standing, so if youre not against the railing, you cant see shit. Expensive too.

The HOB in dallas is a pain in the ass also

[tkprtyrhd]

Awww. We have a venue like that in Toronto. It sucks pretty hard.

No we don't? Point and shoot cameras are allowed everywhere, except for when the band specifically requests it.

And no tiered venues at all..

[Guest]

HOB fucking sucks. going there for kevin devine next month... unfortunately that means say anything and their crowd. its probably going to be miserable, and im probably gonna leave early.

[benchwarmer]

ah yes, and if you are unlucky enough to not get floor tickets, like henster311, the balcony is the worst. can't see a thing, and it's more crowded than the floor.

[crime]

Awww. We have a venue like that in Toronto. It sucks pretty hard.

No we don't? Point and shoot cameras are allowed everywhere, except for when the band specifically requests it.

And no tiered venues at all..

Sound Academy. Keep your panties on. I wasn't saying it was exactly the same, but it does feel like a prison there.Security are dicks there and they never used to allow cameras. Maybe they've changed since I don't go to shows there anymore. Last couple times I went there security were constantly going through the crowd with flash lights looking to see if you had a beer in your hand if you were in the all ages section and to see if you had a stamp on your hand in you were in the 19+ area. They also hover over everyone who goes outside to the patio.

But like I said this might have changed. It's pretty much the worst place in all of the city to see a show, so I stopped going to shows there a couple years ago.

[tkprtyrhd]

No we don't? Point and shoot cameras are allowed everywhere, except for when the band specifically requests it.

And no tiered venues at all..

Sound Academy. Keep your panties on. I wasn't saying it was exactly the same, but it does feel like a prison there.Security are dicks there and they never used to allow cameras. Maybe they've changed since I don't go to shows there anymore. Last couple times I went there security were constantly going through the crowd with flash lights looking to see if you had a beer in your hand if you were in the all ages section and to see if you had a stamp on your hand in you were in the 19+ area. They also hover over everyone who goes outside to the patio.

But like I said this might have changed. It's pretty much the worst place in all of the city to see a show, so I stopped going to shows there a couple years ago.

Deep breath, not attacking you, merely questioning your statement.

It's a wretched place that I only go to when I'm working, they did take the barrier between the bar and the main floor though which is nice. I haven't seen any sketchiness from security except to do with drugs. I can't attest to whether or not they still split the kids up, past few shows I've shot there have been 19+ but I think its mingling now.

[opivy]

The last time I went to HOB was actually when Benchwarmer gave me an extra ticket to see Converge. Security guards were walking around in the pit during their set to make sure no one did anything too extreme. I was planning on going to see Rancid in a couple months when they play, but if security is only getting worse it might not be worth it.

[philviral]

I was at Sound Academy in November for DFA1979, it seems to have changed since you guys went there last. Didn't see any flashlights during the show, and there were cameras aplenty. I even took some pictures myself.

Can't speak to the second level access as I was on the floor.

[richiebullets]

i've never liked the hob boston...i wish it was still axis and avalon...but if you want to see a national act (like rancid that has the following for a 1000+ venue) it's the only choice in town...so it's either i miss a great show or travel down to providence or new york to avoid the hassle of that place...plus $7 pbrs? are you serious?

[crime]

I was at Sound Academy in November for DFA1979, it seems to have changed since you guys went there last. Didn't see any flashlights during the show, and there were cameras aplenty. I even took some pictures myself.

Can't speak to the second level access as I was on the floor.

Don't you need to buy a seperate "VIP" ticket to get upstairs? Regardless it's still the worst venue in the city to see a show. It's a pain in the ass. Beer is more overpriced than any where else. Security are dicks, and it's next to impossible to find a decent place to watch the show.

[henster311]

I was at Sound Academy in November for DFA1979, it seems to have changed since you guys went there last. Didn't see any flashlights during the show, and there were cameras aplenty. I even took some pictures myself.

Can't speak to the second level access as I was on the floor.

Don't you need to buy a seperate "VIP" ticket to get upstairs? Regardless it's still the worst venue in the city to see a show. It's a pain in the ass. Beer is more overpriced than any where else. Security are dicks, and it's next to impossible to find a decent place to watch the show.

im still a fan of the palladium in worcester...not too sure about VIP for upstairs..usually upstairs or balcony are the last tickets to go.

[benchwarmer]

The last time I went to HOB was actually when Benchwarmer gave me an extra ticket to see Converge. Security guards were walking around in the pit during their set to make sure no one did anything too extreme. I was planning on going to see Rancid in a couple months when they play, but if security is only getting worse it might not be worth it.

they were really lax for that show. it's definitely gotten worse.

Also, traveling to the palladium is the WORST. I hate traveling for shows.

[henster311]

The last time I went to HOB was actually when Benchwarmer gave me an extra ticket to see Converge. Security guards were walking around in the pit during their set to make sure no one did anything too extreme. I was planning on going to see Rancid in a couple months when they play, but if security is only getting worse it might not be worth it.

they were really lax for that show. it's definitely gotten worse.

Also, traveling to the palladium is the WORST. I hate traveling for shows.

i always came from CT for the palladium, i was about 40mins away, but have you ever parked up that REAL steep road in front of the venue, haha, its crazy, but free...best signs are there though inside

"no headwalking" seeing terror on the main stage, vogel still gets his stage dives.