Thursday: Jon Hole's Pit

   Here we are again. Another Thursday and another piece. As usual, I sat around and tried to come up with a topic that would be worth a shit. I worked the Atlanta date of the Summer Slaughter 2011 Tour tonight, and as I sat on the stage and caught crowd surfers and watched the pit, it hit me. It occurred to me, I’m an old man. I'm 36 and I’ve seen and done a lot of things. Musically, attending shows was always a favorite. Therapy, as it was. So I see the crowd, a healthy mix of young and old and I watched as the 'hardcore kids' did their thing which I partake in as well. And I watched the 'meat heads' doing their mosh. When the two reside at the same show, you'd think they could find a way to separate themselves or show each other the respect they deserve. Both forms are expressions of how that music moves them. Both groups are there to support their favorite bands. Get along! The floor is big enough to create two separate pits: one to push and pummel and one to dance. All this came to me as I watched a 'meathead' trying to clown these kids as they hardcore danced, and he did everything in his power to try and hurt them and belittle them. He happened to see me glaring so he stopped. Other events occurred which forced me from the comfort of my barricade to the pit. I decided 'Fuck it!' and threw him out. I stopped him and gave him this little speech:

     "Dude, I’m watching you manhandle these kids and throw 'em around. I know you don't like it or understand it, but that's what they do. I'm old school (yes, I did say that) and I’m sure you're older than a majority of them (he was 26). When you first started to mosh I bet the older guys didn't treat you like shit, did they?" "No sir." "Then why are you going to do that to them? It’s fucked up and very uncool, man. You understand where I’m coming from here?" "Yes sir." " Good, now get the fuck outta here."

    In a nutshell, it was that talk that spurred this topic. It has always bothered me that the two sides could never get along, even before I started working the Masquerade. I mean, these bands tour together. That should do something to form some sort of unity and understanding and not war. It's just plain ignorant and irresponsible of both. It really does piss me the fuck off. While I’m at it, you know what else really pisses me off?  Dudes and a handful of that chicks crowd surf that are well over the recommended weight limit. Mother fuckers, WE HAVE TO HAUL YOUR HIPPO ASS OUT! Not to mention how cruel it is to the small kids up front! Just stop!!!! For the love of all things holy...
    On a side note, Summer Slaughter was pretty bad ass, easily the best one in ages. Powerglove and Fleshgod Apocalypse can go suck it though, overrated and total crap. Six Feet Under, featuring Matt DeVries and Rob Arnold of Chimaira and Kevin Talley of Daath, were mind blowing and super tight…minus Chris Barnes' knack for these odd squeals and squeaks these days...so that’s me. That's what was on my mind tonight. Go fuck yourself.