Fratboy Douchebags

[Haldon]

i was about 2 or 3 rows from the front in the pit, and i definitely had to pull crowd control duties a couple of times during the show

it was essentially guys trying to push themselves closer to the stage, but in turn, pushing other people out of the way who had been there for hours.

had a couple of guys come up behind us saying, "hey, hey my friend is over there.  i'm just trying to get up to my friend." in his drunken slur. Problem for this genuis is that he was pointing at a couple of other forum members who had no idea who he was.

he was disposed of quickly.  he came back later trying to "take pictures of the band." so i let him move forward, and then he proceeds to put his camera in front of everyones face and throw his hands up and sing the wrong words to the song.....he was removed soon after

i just don't understand why people can't just chill out and enjoy the show like everyone else, and have to act like douches.

whatever...it was only a few moments of aggrevation during an otherwise amazing night

[bmn0547]

Yes, the shirtless fellas in the Pit were of no value to the otherwise amazing environment, and it was a shame to see them drive away two of my new friends to another part of the floor for a good part of the show, but it was oh so sweet to be transcending during the extended solo on dondante, and to look over and see security swoop in an pull the boys out. Bittersweet and poignant.

[idioteque]

we had "giant frilly mexican hat" guy in front of us.  well, more the hat itself - since it kept changing hands.  it seemed like once you wore the hat, the more you had to lean back to try and poke peoples eyes out.  not cool, giant frilly mexican hat guy.  not cool...

[el_chode]

we had "giant frilly mexican hat" guy in front of us.  well, more the hat itself - since it kept changing hands.  it seemed like once you wore the hat, the more you had to lean back to try and poke peoples eyes out.  not cool, giant frilly mexican hat guy.  not cool...

yeah that's my fault. my buddy was snowed in vermont and had to give up his two tix (which I had), so I posted a craigslist ad and that guy and his friend were first to reply - and beyond excited. I know one hat made it on stage. I also know they put tequila in plastic bags in one pocket, and fresh limes in the other, and were having a fiesta while waiting for wristbands.

[retroelectro]

i was about 2 or 3 rows from the front in the pit, and i definitely had to pull crowd control duties a couple of times during the show

it was essentially guys trying to push themselves closer to the stage, but in turn, pushing other people out of the way who had been there for hours.

had a couple of guys come up behind us saying, "hey, hey my friend is over there.  i'm just trying to get up to my friend." in his drunken slur. Problem for this genuis is that he was pointing at a couple of other forum members who had no idea who he was.

he was disposed of quickly.  he came back later trying to "take pictures of the band." so i let him move forward, and then he proceeds to put his camera in front of everyones face and throw his hands up and sing the wrong words to the song.....he was removed soon after

i just don't understand why people can't just chill out and enjoy the show like everyone else, and have to act like douches.

whatever...it was only a few moments of aggrevation during an otherwise amazing night

you could find crowd control? i couldnt, even after i told an usher that my boyfriend got knocked out. there was NO security in the front of section 8.
i posted a rant in the general NYE show thread so i'll spare the story, but our night was ruined and he's off getting xrays and mri's today.
seriously, wtf?! why do people have to really ruin things for others? we had to leave after an hour.

[JerseyRich]

None of this surprises me at all...

NYE is Amateur Night.  Just glad the band was SUPER PROFESSIONAL!

[el_chode]

you could find crowd control? i couldnt, even after i told an usher that my boyfriend got knocked out. there was NO security in the front of section 8.
i posted a rant in the general NYE show thread so i'll spare the story, but our night was ruined and he's off getting xrays and mri's today.
seriously, wtf?! why do people have to really ruin things for others? we had to leave after an hour.

that's interesting. i had to ask security to move twice because they kept trolling in the GA area and standing directly infront of me. At one point I think they had 3 guys searching for the people who brought the glow sticks.

Two were also debating whether to take out some dudes smoking a bowl. The stiff one was saying how it's illegal, the other one said "it makes no difference" and they left them alone.

[NoVa_NoLa]

None of this surprises me at all...

NYE is Amateur Night.  Just glad the band was SUPER PROFESSIONAL!

True.  But, I didn't think it would be so bad in the PIT.  And actually, it wasn't that bad.  Where we started the show was perfect.  Had two guys to my right groovin' and dancing; the folks to my left were gracious enough to let me heap my jacket on top of their merch on the floor and outside of the sticks, they were OK.  They loved Kenny's hat!  :)

Things got a little silly when the guys in wigs appeared and then a friend of theirs (I guess) would squeeze in, then another, then another.  I'm one of those stubborn folks who will not move or stop dancing if you attempt to crowd or take my little piece of land.  

Worst was this little pissant chick smoking a tobacco cigarette.  I asked if she could blow the smoke somewhere other than directly up (where my nose is located) and she replied something that I couldn't hear, but that I think was essentially "no."  ;D  She then was automatically volunteered to be my dance partner.  A few hips, hands, claps, slaps, bumps later, she was gone.  So was the cigarette.  ;D

There was a taper in the PIT -- kudos to you.  I hope that you were able to get a decent recording.  You have/had the patience of saints.

[ALady]

Those were the happiest tapers ever!  Normally tapers are kinda grim...can't blame 'em, I wouldn't want to worry about that expensive equipment in a boisterous crowd!  But those pit tapers had their own lil taper dance party going.  So cool.

Also, I HATE GLOWSTICKS.  I kept getting pelted with glowstick fallout...I can't imagine how the band must feel with people actually trying to hit them!  They can't really say anything about it, either, since then they'd really get bombarded...

I used to follow Phish, so I am fully cognizant of the soft neon allure of the glowstick.  But I have come to a realization: FLYING GLOWSTICKS REALLY DON'T LOOK THAT COOL.  I MEAN, THEY LOOK COOL, YEAH, BUT NOT THAT COOL.  REALLY.  

Please, people, stop bringing them to shows.   :-*

[AlwxanderD10]

Hey listen to these guys in the video are these Fratboy Douchebags or just fans getting REALLY into it sorry if its you

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGMnwkefWQw  ;D

[thatswhatshesaid]

wow, sounds like the frat crowd didn't have a DMB concert to go to.

[goldbondking]

Bummer to hear about some less than savory elements in the crowd. Our little corner of section 12 was absolutely awesome. There was a very friendly group of people from Louisville who flew in and another nice couple in front of us. The 2 seats next to me were empty and I swear, about 50 people, all pleasant, friendly, and dancing their asses off, made an appearance in those 2 seats. Literally everyone I met at the show was great. Awesome, awesome crowd, at least in my area.


The pre-show meet up was great too, thanks for arranging it Penny. Nice to put some more faces to names.

Were you in row H by any chance?  We were in G and there were two seats behind us where a lot of people stopped and danced.  Sorry to hear about the experiences of so many on this board who came into contact with those who brought an unsavory element to an otherwise fantastic night.

[ultravisitor]

I know I've bitched about the douchebags in Chicago enough, but I was thinking...

If any those assholes (or anyone like them, ie. people who generally behave like dicks who are at the show for any reason other than the music) are here reading this board, then I have a message for you:

Last Saturday, the douchebags next to me brought out a one-hitter and started smoking up while talking during the show, inviting all their friends over to crowd my row (and personal space), and sing loud enough that I couldn't actually hear the band at points.  One of them got hauled out by security.  Don't get me wrong -- I have nothing against smoking pot.  Indeed, I smoke quite a bit myself.

HOWEVER

In future shows, if any of you decide to behave like assholes at future shows and you happen to be around me, then you'd better be careful.  If you piss me off enough, then I WILL narc on you to security in order to get your asses away from me so that I can enjoy the show.

The band and the music come first to me, people.  Respect that.

[ycartrob]

I know I've bitched about the douchebags in Chicago enough, but I was thinking...

If any those assholes (or anyone like them, ie. people who generally behave like dicks who are at the show for any reason other than the music) are here reading this board, then I have a message for you:

Last Saturday, the douchebags next to me brought out a one-hitter and started smoking up while talking during the show, inviting all their friends over to crowd my row (and personal space), and sing loud enough that I couldn't actually hear the band at points.  One of them got hauled out by security.  Don't get me wrong -- I have nothing against smoking pot.  Indeed, I smoke quite a bit myself.

HOWEVER

In future shows, if any of you decide to behave like assholes at future shows and you happen to be around me, then you'd better be careful.  If you piss me off enough, then I WILL narc on you to security in order to get your asses away from me so that I can enjoy the show.

The band and the music come first to me, people.  Respect that.

What's wrong with everyone? There's no "tattling" in rock and roll!

[ultravisitor]

Think I'm lame?  I don't care.  Really.  I don't care.  At all.

I pay to see a band play and listen to their music.  I don't want to hear dumb conversations during "Golden", especially when I can't actually hear the song over the loud chatter surrounding me.

It's simple, really: don't be a dick and start ruining a show that I'm trying to enjoy, and I'll leave you alone.

[el_chode]

you have to keep in mind that at a concert, there's a certain level of behavior that is to be expected. don't get in the shower if you don't want to get wet.

or as they teach us future lawyers, "in a crowded world, there's going to be some unwanted touching"

[ultravisitor]

You think I don't know that?

What I'm saying, though, is that it was really bad where I was on Saturday night.  Like, the worst lot of assholes I've been surrounded by at a show in about ten years.  I only have so much patience.

I would be in the right, anyway.  I mean, smoking weed IS still illegal...

Again, I don't care what people think of me.  I'm there to enjoy the show.

[ycartrob]

Think I'm lame?  I don't care.  Really.  I don't care.  At all.

I pay to see a band play and listen to their music.  I don't want to hear dumb conversations during "Golden", especially when I can't actually hear the song over the loud chatter surrounding me.

It's simple, really: don't be a dick and start ruining a show that I'm trying to enjoy, and I'll leave you alone.

so, if people are talking during Golden, and they're not smoking weed, what in the world are you going to tell the security people? I'd love to be a fly on the wall for that convesation  ;D

Have you considered going to the symphony? It's a little different experience, but it's awesome!

[el_chode]

Think I'm lame?  I don't care.  Really.  I don't care.  At all.

I pay to see a band play and listen to their music.  I don't want to hear dumb conversations during "Golden", especially when I can't actually hear the song over the loud chatter surrounding me.

It's simple, really: don't be a dick and start ruining a show that I'm trying to enjoy, and I'll leave you alone.

so, if people are talking during Golden, and they're not smoking weed, what in the world are you going to tell the security people? I'd love to be a fly on the wall for that convesation  ;D

Have you considered going to the symphony? It's a little different experience, but it's awesome!

I was at a Wilco show where a man in a turtle neck refused to stand when the rest of the audience did so. He called security and made his entire section sit, which lasted until security walked away. Then he punched a guy. This is during I Am Trying to Break Your Heart, or otherwise, it's like Golden getting you so riled up you punch a dude.

Still, the only thing I hate is when you've got a great spot near the stage and you spend half your time looking behind you to see if some fat chick in doc martins is about to come crowdsurfing into your head.

[EliDManheim]

i started this thread ... what prompted me was more than just talkers, and other disinterested people, but rather, bunches of young-ish dudes, maybe in their early 20s, not too intelligent, full of testosterone, charged up by too much beer and confused sexual energy, no idea how to appropriately control themselves or handle their feelings ... they flail around, knocking into everyone around them, with absolutely no regard for anyone but themselves, refusing to respect boundaries in any way.  it's like the world is theirs, and every show is a hardcore show.  there's no communicating or otherwise reasoning with them, so you're stuck taking in the show with half your brain, while the other half worries about whether they're about to knock your girlfriend over, spill beer on you, and force you into confronting them.  it's truly unpleasant.

the ga pit on new year's was generally ok, except for 2 or 3 groups of these guys, one of which was mercifully hauled away by security.  still, they did kill my buzz for about 1/2 hour.

also, after the show, some drunken jock decided to slam a door leading out of the garden ... right into my 7-month pregnant friend, almost knocking her over.  these guys aren't merely an annoyance, they're a legitimate safety threat.

i'd like to start a movement of passive-ist geeks like me ... we can set up a signal, to be answered by all like-minded-geeks within earshot ... when we hear it, we know there are morons to be disposed of, and we all band together and toss them out.  how good would that feel?  there's strength in numbers, you know ....

kidding, of course, but you get my point.