I'm back, bitches!
So, prior to June 7, 2008 I knew jack shit about Rage Against the Machine. Sure, I had heard a couple of their songs, but...whatever, just another white guy trying to rap. But, before hopping across the pond for Rock im Park, a friend of mine told me that they put on a good show, so...
About 5 minutes before they come on, I grab two cups of rum and coke, and start wading my way through the crowd. I figure if I hurry, I can make my way pretty close to the front. So, I'm bumping and manuevering, shoving and squeezing, and I make it about half-way before the stage darkens and the siren begins. So, as the guys take the stage, I double my efforts, but it's a bit harder now...but, I'm no quitter.
Well, I had no idea what I was getting myself into.
The second Rage goes into their first song, the entire crowd fuckin' ERUPTS! Sure, in the video it just looks like a bunch of people jumping up and down, but when their packed in like sardines it just turns into this huge mosh pit and you have just about no control over anything. You're just kinda thrown about catching the occasional elbow to the temple.
Well, it only took me about 5 seconds to realize I was in over my head and start trying to swim back out of the madness. But, it was like trying to swim in a fuckin' tsunami. Completely hopeless. I'm getting bounced and shoved every which way, struggling to keep my feet, just...I don't know...there are no words for how mad this place was. I'm sure for old pros it was nothing, but coming from pretty much a strictly hip-hop background...yeah...it was like being dropped into a pit of rabid, wild hounds.
So, I'm slowly making progress to the outside of the crowd, but somewhere along the way, I had gotten the hang of this thing. I threw a couple elbows, shoved a couple fuckers, tossed some guy into what looked like a battle royale...damn, this is kinda fun! By the end of the first song, some poor guy comes through the crowd crying "Let me out! Let me out!!!" Haha...Pussy!
Man, I tell you, Rage grabbed a hold of this crowd from the first note, and never let go. That crowd was electric, pure raw energy constantly. We're outdoors on a cool night, and at any time I could look up into the air and see the steam rising off of the bodies in the crowd. It was really like a sauna in there. The 5 minutes that it rained were a blessing. And, aside from the initial fear for my life, I loved every minute of it. By the end of the set, I had my own little section of crowd to command, and had even advanced to the point of sending text messages (gotta set up the post-show booty call) while withstanding wave after wave of mad, frantic head-bangers.
Really...I could learn to like this.
My Trusted MOGs
\mm/
Nuff said.
My Trusted MOGs
DUDE!!! I was in the Rage pit for their reunion performance at Coachella. I didn't make it until they took the stage. I saw my life flash before my eyes. Major props to you for being a noob and toughing it out (beginner's luck ;) haha just kiddin. I'm jealous!
My Trusted MOGs
Zach De La Rocha is Latino (or at least 1/2 - if that means anything). Funny experience though! Good to see you back.
My Trusted MOGs
Wow! Lucky man.
My Trusted MOGs
kat - I definitely had that life flashing before my eyes moment. I mean, I really wondered if I was going to make it out of there for a few minutes. Quite an experiences.
contra - white, latino...whatever. I've got major respect for that dude now. I went out and picked up there first album a couple days after that show. He's actually talking some shit. I was impressed.
My Trusted MOGs
Dude, I wanna jump up from my desk and start throwing 'bows at my boss sitting across from me after reading/watching this.
TESTIFY!!!!!
My Trusted MOGs
FUCK YEAH. All this is true for Queens of the Stone Age as well. Welcome to the insanity of mosh pits!
"post-show booty call" ahhahaha see, that's a perfect show night, baby!
Welcome back! Kevin is back, too!
My Trusted MOGs
Would you believe I completely blew off the QotSA show the night before?
My Trusted MOGs
You're a madman, Troy. Sounds like it was all "MOVE BITCH" with you. Welcome back!
My Trusted MOGs
Don't want to believe it. But I don't know if one person can survive this type of mosh pits one after the other. Might be a one night mosh pit ;)
My Trusted MOGs
I thoroughly enjoyed reading (and laughing about) this experience of yours!
"Well, it only took me about 5 seconds to realize I was in over my head and start trying to swim back out of the madness. But, it was like trying to swim in a fuckin' tsunami. Completely hopeless."
I felt like this the first time I saw NIN, it's was absolutely nuts!
My Trusted MOGs
I have a feeling this is what it's going to be like when I see Dave Matthews and/or John Mayer at the Rothbury Festival in 2 weeks.
Oh wait, not even close. Maybe I should try to start a moshpit with all the hippies. "Song That Jane Likes" really makes me want to throw my body around. Sometimes off a building, but still.....
My Trusted MOGs
Scribes - Ya know what, dude? At some point, I decided that I'm going to squeeze this life for everything it's worth. If that makes me a madman, you can lock me up when I'm dead. :)
Anna - Yeah, it's probably for the best. Two nights like that would have either killed me, or given me an ego. :D
Sunshine - I enjoy sharing these experiences with you guys. Sometimes I swear that there's some part of me that only MOG understands.
Mac - You're nuts! Yeah, John Mayer is going to be completely bananas! That guy is an animal!
My Trusted MOGs
TP i was also at the Rage coachella 07 show that Katrina mentions above
instead of your attack of going into the crowd about 5 minutes prior...we decided to go in about 5 hours prior in hopes of being up close
now that was hell...but once they came on i just went nuts...best way to react to a crowd like that is be the craziest fuck in your area....keep em off ya a bit
...some of the wildest shit i've encountered though
anyways...glad you got to experience the RAGE pit...can't imagine there is much like that
My Trusted MOGs
they must be soooo good live! i saw Atmosphere once, and he threw on "Killing in the Name Of" I ended up on the floor then so I can only imagine what my chances would be of living through an actual Rage show.
My Trusted MOGs
Atmosphere!!! Going to see them at the Rothbury Festival as well. Brother Ali and El-P will be there as well. Definitely getting there early for those shows. "Killing in the Name Of" comes on, I am going nuts in honor of Troy. I'll take pics of any scars or bruises I (hopefully) get in the mayhem.
My Trusted MOGs
Lyrikhan - Much respect to anyone who survived Rage up close. I can't even imagine what it was like closer to the stage.
Brit/Mac - Killing in the Name just does things to me now. I actually started feeling it the night before, then at the show it was Rage's encore. Jeez, I fuckin' lost it.
And I'd do it again.
My Trusted MOGs
mmcnamara: report back with pix of your battle wounds!!
My Trusted MOGs
What about you Troy... any scars to flash?
My Trusted MOGs
Nah, all my damage seems to be directly to the brain. :)
My Trusted MOGs
Looks like someone lost their mosh pit cherry...........KUDOS!
My Trusted MOGs
Next to the tokio hotel post, this is my favorite post. Best intro to RATM i've ever heard from anyone. During the whole time i was reading i kept thnking about those rum and cokes (drinks can be expensive at these things!) Were you able to salvage them?
My Trusted MOGs
They throw a great live show!
My Trusted MOGs
welcome back mate! ps
My Trusted MOGs
Charley, I managed to down the first one, but the second one never reached my lips. Lesson learned. :)
My Trusted MOGs
I saw them last year in Randall's Island, and like many of you have said here, I too was afraid for my life. I'm no stranger to the pit, but this was my first rage show and boy was I unprepared. It was hot as hell too that day. That was probably the sweatiest/most exhuasted I've ever been. TP you're right man - they have an indescribable affect on the crowd and probably one of the best live performances I've seen.