While I think my reading of that passage was a natural one—you did ask me if I’d ever been in a mosh pit—I’m happy to accept your disclaimer.
Well I certainly don’t disagree with this. My original objection to what you said was the suggestion, which you might not have meant, that this nasty recent killing was somehow more likely given that the victims were heavy metal fans and one musician. I don’t agree because I don’t see a connection between the causes of mass violence at youth events, about which we substantially agree, and the isolated nutter thing, which is much harder to understand and seems to be capable of cropping up anywhere where people perform in public and some members of the audience are likely to be under pressure. I don’t think this stuff is necessarily closely connected to youth—psychosis, in particular paranoia, seems to be the most likely common feature. That’s why I mentioned lecturing—because you deal with potential problem people on a daily basis and know who they are, you can (sometimes) actually see this sort of thing building up. Rock musicians simply try to ignore letters from nutters and stalkers and so on. Academics can’t ignore the nutters because an enrolled student is our responsibility. So I’ve seen this from the musician’s perspective, where you try to ignore it, and the academic’s, where you can’t ignore it.
Thanks, Jeff. After this point you seem to be quoting without comment. Sorry if I got unduly sarcastic. It’s hard to read someone’s intentions on the internet.
I don’t see a connection between the causes of mass violence at youth events, about which we substantially agree, and the isolated nutter thing
Ahh, I see what you’re saying now. I was lumping violent people and nutters into the same group, whereas you’re separating them. In that case, I agree that music doesn’t cause, encourage, or attract nutters. Do we know that this guy was a nutter though? I read that it was suspected, but I haven’t followed it after that point.
After this point you seem to be quoting without comment.
Yeah, sorry about that. I got talking to someone and forgot to delete the rest.
According to Tony’s post, he doesn’t seem to have been a fan but rather someone who thought that the brothers had stolen lyrics written by him. I’ve heard no suggestion that they could have had access to his work, assuming it really exists. If he’s a metal fan, that would be incidental given the nature of the gripe. Absent evidence of real theft—why didn’t he sue or start a band of his own?—this looks like paranoia. Lots of people have ideas nicked anyway. The mentally balanced response is to assume that if you have what it takes you’ll have other ideas just as good so put it down to experience, be more careful in future and get on with life.
There are some seriously weird people out there. There was a guy who used to go through Dylan’s rubbish bin looking for evidence of .. who knows what? Dylan even argued with him and some of their arguments were taped. Everyone in the public eye gets this to some extent or another or is at least vulnerable.
The worst brawl I have ever seen at a gig was at a ceili many years ago in Dublin.It was an all out tables and chairs through the windows kind of thing which went on for about half an hour before the cops arrived and many of those involved were way past their teens.
I think that there might have been drink involved…
If travel ever takes you to Bavaria, say to the Octoberfest in Munich or any beerhall, and if you order a Mass (being 1 litre of beer served in a glass stein), notice the handle of the stein: it is notched. That it is where the handle is supposed to break off when someone tries to break the stein on the edge of the table in order to use it as a sharp weapon. I know heavy metal fans are tough and all that, but you don’t want to be involved in a Bavarian beer hall brawl. Believe me.
Just saw this topic. I know a Girl who knows the Bassist for Monster Magnet. They got the call from Pantera the night it happened. They were in the same state, but not the same show. Jim told the Girl I know that the Guy who shot Dimebag was pissed because of the Recent Pantera Breakup. I’m not saying this is a true reason why he did it. I’m just relaying what the Bassist for Monster Magnet told one of my Wife’s friends.
Peace…
FYI for you folks who go to renaissance festivals or have seen the Rogues play, the band bodyguard (also killed) was Jeff Thompson, also known as Mayhem, the Rogues’ huge front man.
Clearly this guy was a lunatic stalker and came there to shoot Dimebag; this had nothing to do with whether people get worked up in a mosh pit or not. This is not rowdy kid violence, but a case of an obsessed fanatic.
