Report: OZZFEST Brawl Ridiculous, Shameful
- July 31, 2007
A MyFOXColorado blogger who goes by the name "Scribe2" has issued the following report:
The Ozzfest at Coors Amphitheatre [in Denver, Colorado] on July 28 erupted into an absolutely ridiculous and shameful war of thrown items between the lawn-seat visitors and the reserved-seat visitors during the STATIC-X set. [See video footage below.]
Plastic bottles, plastic cups, plastic "yard" glasses and chunks of turf were hurled from primarily mid-lawn as far as a third of the width of the second orchestra section. A few shoes and other items were also observed in flight. The fracas took on an especially sinister note when half-full bottles and empty bottles and cups were jammed full with sod, creating dangerous missiles.
It was a shameful display of bad behavior and a ridiculous endangerment to fellow concert-goers. A fun afternoon of music and revelry became an interesting experience I would never place myself in a position to repeat. By some good luck it didn't result in full-fledged rioting or morbid casualties. There were certainly enough alcohol and other mind-altering substances about to have led it that way. The amphitheatre management lucked out.
The details as I saw them follow.
It started with a few bottles and cups being tossed into the seats from the lawn. They were mostly ignored or met by glares. However, crowd-think set in and the casual provocations became a hail of detritus from above. The people in the seats responded as comes naturally: in kind. So began an unstated war of the classes.
My younger adult son, trying to ignore the first volleys of detritus while sitting in his seat took a partially-filled bottle of water, thankfully capless, right between the eyes and ended up with a (thank goodness) minor gash. Even as I tended to his wound, a rain of bottles and sod fell on and around me, most of it deflected by my six-foot-tall elder son's skillful bat-and-catch. My daughter-in-law, a delicate petite, took a number of hits as well. It was infuriating and appalling.
The first impulse was to pitch back, to "give them a taste of their own medicine." That proved to be the worst policy, as it a) returned weapons to a bunch of riled-up drunks to be chucked down again and b) brought us down to their level. Our group of four quickly abandoned the stupid reactionary response and took shelter as best we could against the dividing wall. We still found ourselves fending off short-fires from both directions, but it was better than had we remained at our center-section seats as the near-riot escalated.
To report any abusive, obscene, defamatory, racist, homophobic or
threatening comments, or anything that may violate any applicable laws,
please send an e-mail to bmouth@bellatlantic.net
with pertinent details.
Anyone posting such material will be immediately and permanently banned. IP
addresses are recorded to aid us in enforcing these conditions.
COMMENT | Well posted by : Dr Doom 7/31/2007 4:50:14 AM
They were probably actually trying to hit Static-X seeing how they are just a lame Ministry rip-off outfit but unfortunately had terrible aim and started the class war.
COMMENT | crikey...... posted by : Jtull 7/31/2007 4:59:30 AM
well i never, you wouldn't get this at a Heaven & Hell gig. now theres a show.
Partially glad I didn't attend Ozzfest then. Denver usually isn't notoriously insane like that. I wonder what the hell was up?
COMMENT | posted by : BlackLagoon 7/31/2007 5:14:40 AM
Sounds like every year at Donington, it's not the same without the customary bottle fight!
Just avoid the ones with yellow liquid in!
COMMENT | Agreed posted by : cruel samoan 7/31/2007 5:41:14 AM
Yeah Donington is like that, but yeah its bloody stupid and people do actually get hurt. I remember in 95 someone next to me took an empty coke 2 litre coke bottle full of sand in the back of the head and it almost knocked him out, he was on the floor grasping his neck for ages.
Throwing things and generally being violent towards your fellow metal brothers and sisters is totally unnecessary and for me not what the music is about. I will sound like an old bastard, but before nu-metal - when things became quite mass appeal - there was less rudeness and aggression at shows. If you fell over in the pit you were picked up and righted, now you get your head stamped on.
COMMENT | posted by : Eager Dad Jnr 7/31/2007 6:33:05 AM
It's a shame the crowd didn't stick to just throwing eggs. I seem to remember that behaviour being condoned by certain parties while Iron Maiden were on stage at the Ozzfest some years ago.......
COMMENT | there's great a band name... posted by : dxf 7/31/2007 6:33:07 AM
"volleys of detritus"
COMMENT | Always In FL posted by : Ozzy616 7/31/2007 6:44:56 AM
This happens nearly evey year at FL Ozzfest. Usually clumps of sod, but a lot of cups and plastic bottles too.
COMMENT | free ozzfest is what u get? posted by : enwll34 7/31/2007 6:49:44 AM
That bullshit has nothing to do w/ the show being free you fkn moron.Lack of security would be the problem.Been to paid shows where sod and bottles were thrown.Then at the same place the next year seen security put an end to it by watching from high places where they could radio to other security and toss out the fkn losers who did that stupid shit.
COMMENT | posted by : wajahat_k 7/31/2007 7:11:44 AM
All i can tell the idiots is...
GROW THE FUCK UP!!!!!
Wacken & Gigantour > Ozzfest any day
COMMENT | Can't take you kids anywhere posted by : Dee67 7/31/2007 7:29:36 AM
THIS is why we can't have nice things!
COMMENT | Well there you go... posted by : Fafa 7/31/2007 7:56:23 AM
...metalheads are just as retarded now as they've ever been.
COMMENT | posted by : thenumberofthebeef 7/31/2007 8:11:10 AM
I'm going to throw shit during Static X too. My aim is not nearly as bad, I can assure you ;)
COMMENT | posted by : Skanna 7/31/2007 8:50:37 AM
I wonder if there was a douche in a Peace Sells t-shirt there.
COMMENT | posted by : metalblev 7/31/2007 9:19:28 AM
This is what really annoys me about a lot of heavy metal fans... the sheer stupidity!
COMMENT | ozzfest for free posted by : Mark5610 7/31/2007 9:29:35 AM
Free admission brings all walks of life will slither through the gates. So don’t be too surprised if someone tosses a kitchen sink your way
COMMENT | This is what happens when you stay longer than you need to. posted by : fishdontgotsnogoodmetals 7/31/2007 9:49:50 AM
Come on, you should've left after seeing Nile, Behemoth, and Daath on the second stage. Your fault. And no, ignorance is not an excuse. You lose.
COMMENT | This has happened at other Ozzfests posted by : Break Open 7/31/2007 9:50:02 AM
A couple of years ago at the White River Amphitheater near Seattle, the same thing happened - only that time it was small plastic bottles of Garnier Fructis shampoo. As I understand it, Garnier stopped giving out samples at Ozzfest since then.
COMMENT | Well... posted by : hank hill 7/31/2007 9:52:29 AM
...bottle throwing is nothing new at Coors Amphitheatre during the more wild shows. What was new was the sod throwing. I have been to countless shows there and that was the first time I have seen that occur. Thankfully, it died out by the time LOG came on. I suspect that the problem was that they completely overstuffed the general admission area (aka "the lawn"). People looked like sardines up there. I have never seen so many people crammed into that little area. Treat people like cattle, and they will act out.
COMMENT | Rsoles posted by : cruel samoan 7/31/2007 9:52:43 AM
I wasn't specifically talking about Donington, although you sound like you're the sort who might like to ruin the days of others for your own personal amusement. Metal gigs in the UK are lacking the kind of brotherhood mentality that was prevalent in the late eighties/early nineties - when I started going to gigs. Since Slipknot, etc. its every man for himself. I'm not saying there were never arseholes at shows who like to hit people randomly - but they used to get dealt with, and they were in the minority. Now its the other way around. Someone I know was headbutted at a show when he asked a fifteen year old to not mosh (I'm not talking air guitar/headbanging here) in the area where everyone was standing to watch the bands play, as opposed to the pit - that is what the pit is for.
Wolvaroon - you know what I mean, don't you?
COMMENT | Ozzfest idiots posted by : cbw 7/31/2007 9:57:21 AM
We witnessed such behaivor at Mountain View.
When you offer free tix, you get every crankster, stoner, piece of shit who couldn't usually afford a tickets. These are the guys that rely on mommy to give them underware at xmas, and for family handouts becuase they do not have real jobs.
Obviously, such base behavior comes from individuals who do not have to report to work and/or family and have no social responsibilites.
Will I surround myself with this crap next year? Probably not if they are doing freefest again. We always liked paying a few hundred bucks for a pair of prime tickets just so we dont have to put up with the dregs who couldn't enjoy good music or a good time if it bit them on the ass.
COMMENT | cbw posted by : cruel samoan 7/31/2007 10:02:13 AM
Nah, thuggery is nothing to do with stereotypes, and lets face it, people who smoke weed don't usually want to start fights, do they?
COMMENT | posted by : Mast o' Dawn 7/31/2007 10:40:16 AM
I was there but too far in front to get hit with anything. It was kind of funny turning around and seeing all this random shit flying all over the place.
COMMENT | posted by : makes.her.sick 7/31/2007 11:26:55 AM
this happens constantly at download, and do us brits care? hell no... its bottles for fuck sake... jesus calm down u americans
that ozzfest 'incident' aint shit compared to what goes on at download... come over for that then when you to ozzfest again and the bottling happens you'll think nothing of it
COMMENT | Rotem posted by : -gODGRINDER- 7/31/2007 12:11:05 PM
"COMMENT | posted by : Rotem 7/31/2007 5:06:45 AM
Partially glad I didn't attend Ozzfest then. Denver usually isn't notoriously insane like that. I wonder what the hell was up?"
I think you're forgetting the riot that occurred in Denver after the Broncos won the Super Bowl in 1998. I'm a proud CO native, but when I hear shit like this it makes me want to puke blood.
Fucking assholes.
COMMENT | ... posted by : jmetal1515 7/31/2007 12:16:59 PM
Happens every year at Ozzfest...yiou expected something different?
COMMENT | this is just now happening here? posted by : Decepticon75 7/31/2007 12:23:33 PM
hell every year i was at ozzfest in pittsburg you had to watch your back and couldnt enjoy the show because the fucktards were throwing bottles and everything else they could get their hands on
COMMENT | posted by : grindrummer 7/31/2007 12:33:19 PM
sounds like a party
COMMENT | YAWN!!! posted by : SnipeDogg187 7/31/2007 12:35:17 PM
This is NOTHING NEW!!!!!!! This has happened at EVERY Ozzfest I have ever been to. Every year Apine Valley gets trashed!!!This has been going on for over 15 years, nothing new. The first year was a big deal (during a Pantera show), but ever since, it's not even reported.
COMMENT | So.... posted by : IbanezJFS 7/31/2007 12:41:28 PM
I have been going to concerts ever since 1999. And, sh!t like this always happens. SnipeDogg187 & grindrummer are right. This is nothing new & this sounds like a party. I just think these reporters are trying to make this Free OZZFEST sound like a disastere when its going great. But, then again. the liberal media has always done this sh!t to heavy metal and, its fans. Which is another reason why I hate the media.
COMMENT | posted by : conundrum 7/31/2007 1:08:30 PM
I've seen worse than that
COMMENT | lmao posted by : captmellow 7/31/2007 1:09:26 PM
Something tells me scribe2 hasn't been out much. I'd love to see him write about being caught in a moshpit.
and that is ozzfest for you. these people were supposed to be having fun, wtf? Ozzfest has needed to die, it's way overdue.
COMMENT | Brawl? posted by : g_rhymes 7/31/2007 1:35:34 PM
I think brawl is the wrong term to describe this incident. When I read the headline, I had a picture of people throwing punches, blood all over the place, casualties... This would abvilously be very sad if it happened that way.
When people start thowing shit at a concert, everybody should turn on that person and give them a good beat-down. That's just stupid. People think if they're not hit, then it's funny. One, someone could get seriously hurt. Two, if enough damage is done to the venue, kiss any future metal shows good bye.
COMMENT | posted by : WelcomeToTheMachine 7/31/2007 1:38:11 PM
This actually happened a few years ago. when slayer played. 2005 maybe? it was at the Chicago show, anybody who was there remembers people were getting rocked by bottles stuffed with sod and dirt and whatever else anyone could find to throw.
I've been twatted twice at Donington by bottles and knocked out cold on both occasions.
COMMENT | I WAS posted by : MIKE W 7/31/2007 2:17:06 PM
AT BRISTOW A FEW YEARS BACK. TRY BEATING FLAMING DOMINOS BOXES BEING THROWN.
COMMENT | alpine valley posted by : cthulhu 7/31/2007 2:24:23 PM
this happens almost every year at alpine valley. the sod especially gets ripped up and thrown if it is a little wet
the worst I saw it was ozzfest 97.... pantera played the main stage and marilyn manson followed. it looked like a rain of grass in the air from all the protectiles. my friend got hit with a pineapple?!?!? hehe
manson played like 20 minutes, kicked his drumset over, and stormed offstage
THATS NOT A BRAWL! haha that's so stupid. During Slayer a few years, it was twice as bad as that and everyone had a great time!
COMMENT | MONSTERS OF ROCK 88' AT CANDLESTICK PARK IN S.F. posted by : SLAYTANIC WAR RABBIT 7/31/2007 4:30:21 PM
THE SCORPS WERE TAKING FOREVER TO GET ON STAGE. IT WAS HOT AS FUCK AND THE NATIVES WERE GETTING RESTLESS. ONE PERSON FROM THE 3rd DECK THREW SOMETHING DOWN, IT WAS THROWN BACK,NEXT THING YOU KNOW.....WAR. BUT, IT WAS ALL IN GOOD FUN AND NOBODY GOT INJURED. WE WERE JUST BLOWING OFF STEAM AND EVERYONE HAD SMILES. WHOEVER DIDN'T WANT TO PLAY JUST MOVED OUT OF THE WAY. SCORPS CAME ON AND IT ALL STOPPED. BACK TO NORMAL.
COMMENT | posted by : ozzyrulz777 7/31/2007 4:37:14 PM
This has happened at the past ozzfests I went to. Nothing new. Live with it.
COMMENT | posted by : Vida-Infra 7/31/2007 5:14:45 PM
expecting much of this at the jersey show.
bring it on
COMMENT | That was rather tame looking. posted by : Raiders757 7/31/2007 5:25:11 PM
Not that I condone that sort of thing, but...
Just look up "bottle wars" on U-tube, and you will see all sorts of crazy videos from the European festivals. There is so much crap flying through the air, you can barely make out the sky behind it all in some of the videos.
Also, as mentioned, in Bristow, Va. a couple of years back, there were flamming pizza boxes, shoes, sod, bottles, and anything else that wasn't nailed down being thrown. This happens every year. I blame it on the venues.
COMMENT | posted by : RiotAct666 7/31/2007 7:01:58 PM
I'll check it out
COMMENT | Is "U-tube" anything like "YouTube"? posted by : monty 8/1/2007 3:24:26 PM
Just wondering. This particular "bottle war" didn't look all that bad to me.
COMMENT | I was there and it wasn't as this guy makes it sound posted by : Dustin Maybury 8/2/2007 2:11:30 AM
same thing happened at the 2004 ozzfest in denver, but they weren't throwing the grass that year. so its not like its the first time something like this has happened.
COMMENT | hey, it happens! posted by : jerilynn22980 8/27/2007 11:10:56 PM
this happened in detroit this year too. i think everyone is just trying to have a good time, and it goes a bit too far. i believe, tho, that a few years back sharon osbourn actually told the audience to throw everything, so how could you not expect it? we did get threatened with a cancelled show, tho...and i think static x was blamed, because they asked that it be noted that they didn't ask anyone to do it this time....it was lamb of god that asked us too! ;)
COMMENT | Was there and it hurt! posted by : lauralee 12/7/2007 10:35:20 PM
I had gotten upgraded tickets for purchasing merch at FYE and got to have a seat rather than be on the lawn. It was nice until they started throwing everything and as the kid in this story I was hit in the face with a bottle of something, it broke my glasses and split under my eyebrow open. Luckily I wear glasses or it would have hit me directly in the eye. It's not much fun to watch the rest of a concert with an icepack on your face and a splitting headache.
BLABBERMOUTH.NET is run and operated independently of Roadrunner Records. The accuracy of the information
contained herein is neither confirmed nor guaranteed by Roadrunner Records, and the views and opinions of
authors expressed on these pages do not necessarily state or reflect those of Roadrunner Records or its employees.