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When the curtain finally goes up at a punk concert and hundreds of bodies crush towards the stage, the energy in the room is almost tangible. Hundreds of fists spear the air as the band begins to play. The crowd becomes a singular sweat-soaked spirit-machine, made of many parts but working towards a common goal - feeding the band, and each other, with manic energy.
Unfortunately, this ideal is not a certainty. Some poor souls just don't know how to act when they find themselves at the crossroads of alcohol, energy and punk.
It's OK, we're here to help. Here's how to behave at a punk show.
Step 1 - Look the part.
A Bad Religion concert is not the time or place to wear your Nickelback or Creed T-shirt. You're just asking for trouble.
Also, if you don't actually have a mohawk, don't pretend. Nothing says "poser" louder than a faux-hawk.
Wear tough shoes that won't come off easily, or you will lose them. Boots or Chucks are good ideas.
Your best bet is to go with an older pair of jeans and a T-shirt you don't care much about. If you're getting your money's worth, your clothes will definitely be soaked with a combination of sweat (not just yours) and a variety of spilled beverages. It's worth it.
Step 2 - Be a Fan
So, you plunked down $20-$30, braved the Hollywood freeways and actually found a reasonably-priced parking place. The least you could do is participate.
No, you don't have to know all the words (it wouldn't hurt, though) and nobody's asking you to mosh, but you might as well get in the crowd and throw up a few random fist pumps.
Step 3 - The Pit
The circle-pit has become something of a punk-rock staple in recent years. Any show worth the price of admission will undoubtedly sport one of these swirling mobs of adrenaline-junkies.
Should you decide to brave the bruises and body odor and enter the pit, there are a few (usually) unspoken guidelines.
Don't hurt anybody. Sure, everybody's going to be a little sore the next day, but the point of the pit is to generate adrenaline and energy, not pools of blood from some poor sap's nose.
If someone falls down (and they will), help them up. This may seem counterintuitive, but people have actually been trampled to death at concerts. Not cool.
Try to keep the pit within its natural boundaries. It's understandable that someone is going to occasionally reel out of control and plow into the rest of the crowd. This is fine, but some jerk always seems to think it's necessary to intentionally challenge the integrity of the pit's walls. Lame.
Step 4 - Crowd-surfing
Crowd-surfing is probably the dumbest thing you can do at a concert. Seriously, don't do it. Male crowd-surfers will be dropped (hopefully on their heads), female crowd-surfers will be groped (revolting but true) and crowd-surfers of both genders will probably get kicked out of stricter venues.
The worst part of crowd surfing is the effect it has on fans in the front few rows. These brave souls have endured the sometimes terrible opening acts, the worst of the pushing and constant encroachment on their territory from the circle-pit. Now, they have to deal with unexpected Doc Martens to the backs of their heads because some genius just had to crowd-surf.
There are few thrills that can match the joyous blend of aggression, adrenaline, unity and joy that is a punk concert. If we all take this guide into advisement, more shows throughout the Southland this summer will be the best they can be.
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