Project Willow wrote:Am I wrong in remembering that skinheads invaded the early 80's ska scene as well? My friends and I loved skanking and slam dancing. The term mosh pit came somewhat later, after my time really.
The skins were everywhere. My very first "punk show", ALL/Descendents of all things, was filled with skinheads who took over the pit. At the time it was a terrifying thing to behold. If I was my age back then now I would have just laughed at them and told them to get the fuck out. But then it was "what kind of world have I gravitated to?" type thing. It was all so new.
The skins came in and essentially all locked arms and mowed us all down as they went back and forth across the pit. To think I am old enough to remember shows that security was light and you were on your own is crazy. Even though I am now approaching 40. But that night, like many nights, there was nothing you or anyone could do to quell the skinheads. Thankfully, at least in urban areas, we as "punks" were successful in ejecting any and all influence they did have because of great waves of anti-racist sentiment. Strangely, however, this begat the era of mass shootings as we know it and it essentially started in my hometown.