Too much fighting on the dance floor

[JohnnyM]

This is an interesting programme about how violent UK gigs were during the late 70s/80s

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b068xrkt

I recall it was very common to get fighting at gigs in the mid/late 80s - especially any band with a large travelling following (though the programme doesn't really touch on that)

its well worth a listen

[Master Ray]

I only started seeing NMA in 1990, but things could get a bit 'tasty' then... still remember two guys battering the living crap out of each other during 'Innocence'...

[Pol]

I went and watched the meteors a few times in the mid 80s and whilst the whole dancing culture was about controlled aggression , that's exactly what it was controlled, if you were foolish/brave enough to join the wrecking crew moshpit then you knew that you were putting your body on the line. I have previously said that my big mate Sean (rip) took a nasty kicking during the no rest tour at Glasgow QM . I think the point you make about bands with travelling support is definitely true. I guess it a tribal thing with the touring fans thinking its our band and the people from that area thinking its our city. Glad things have moved on maybe younger people don't follow bands the way, maybe our culture has changed in the right direction, the 80s did seem like more violent times but maybe its just moved into different areas

[Simon73]

at NMA gigs no one should act like an asshole pretending to be better more fan more follower more than the others. people like these should **** off or asshole like the guy who once oin Kolln pretended us in the front not to move or sing because "he was recording..........."......! I mean he was recording the bloody gig with his phone camera what the **** and wanted us to shut up and not move=? in order not to make it worse I just went somewhere else (that time I was staying awyay from tne mess where I usually go as my wife was pregnant). plus the guy was prettu big anmd me even if trained and fit am the slim and fit time not tough or huge or anything. just an example of asshole who are not at all members of the family and should just stay at home and **** off

[Anna Woman von NRW]

Perrennial bugbear those people recording gigs rather than enjoying them, I find waving arms about in front of the lens seems to do the trick quite well  At a JS & DW gig in Gillingham a few years back, JS said" Just close your eyes and go with the song" He was right - get better memories that way but that's not what nodricks with mobile phones are after is it I guess.

As for over-exhuberance on the dance floor well some folk will always want to over compensate for their perceived lack of masculinity or otherwise, making your elbows as bony as possible is always good 

[andydrbeard]

Second Pol here - Meteors in the 80s were the worst I can remember. If you got dragged into the Wrecking Crew/Cattle moshpit it was a scarey experience. Although it wasn't just in the pit that it was bad. One time walked into a pub with my mate big Lee before a gig at the Klub Foot, and Lee had his tshirt ripped down the middle by one of the road crew and told he was getting a kicking later.  Pleased to say nothing else came of it.  Think I was too small to be noticed - it has it's bonuses. 

[Shush]

Blimey - Get out of the way we're the wrecking crew 

[Anna Woman von NRW]

Blimey - Get out of the way we're the wrecking crew 

Yeah, sod that for a game of soldiers 

[Master Ray]

Agreed, Shush and Anna.  My moshpit days are behind me (damn, I used to enjoy them, though) but it's easy to move over to another part of the venue if things get a bit too hectic for you...

[andydrbeard]

Indeed unpleasant bunch. Interesting postscript to this. Last year met up with a mate from the 80s days who has been playing in a band with the son of a guy who used to be a Meteors roadie. The guy who attacked my mate was killed in a fight. Live by the sword and all that...

[Pol]

Maybe getting wrecking crew tattooed above and below the spikey hair skull tattoo on my arm isn't such a good idea lol , probably still gonna do it though

[Anna Woman von NRW]

Maybe getting wrecking crew tattooed above and below the spikey hair skull tattoo on my arm isn't such a good idea lol , probably still gonna do it though

Well you'll probably get yourself a fair bit of room on the dancefloor 

[Pol]

Ha , you know I'm a big softie