Slipknot’s Chris Fehn Says Moshing Is Now “A Form Of Bullying”

December 11, 2014

Mosh pits can be super-enjoyable places to be, but they can also get out of hand. Slipknot percussionist Chris Fehn has now suggested that the concept of moshing has mutated into big dudes pounding on little dudes, which amounts to “a form of bullying”.

In an interview with South Africa’s Music Review, Fehn was asked whether the 2012 arrest of Lamb Of God’s Randy Blythe following the death of a concert-goer has made Slipknot see mosh pits in a different way.

“Yeah, that was a very sad situation,” Fehn replied. “I’m friends with Randy, and it was an unfortunate event that happened. I know that he’s not that type of person at all – he would never hurt anybody. I think, especially in America, moshing has turned into a form of bullying.”

Anyone who’s been in a mosh, voluntarily or not, knows how frightening that can be. “The big guy stands in the middle and just trucks any small kid that comes near him. They don’t mosh properly anymore,” Fehn has said. “It sucks because that’s not what it’s about. Those guys need to be kicked out.”

While Fehn is clearly concerned that some punters are using mosh pits to their own brutal advantage, he clearly knows that a good balanced mosh pit is possible. “A proper mosh pit is a great way to be as a group and dance, and just do your thing,” Fehn said. Wise words for those headed to see the band when they headline Soundwave in 2015.

Photos: Slipknot – Soundwave 2012 Sydney, 26/02/2012