Posted the vid clip above for "Stick Stickley" by the musical group Attack Attack! a few days ago (which is now gone from You Tube and replaced by an alternate version), which led to some sleuthery as to what exactly is going on with this band. Whitey Sterling checks in, pointing to an explanation Glorious Noise discovered on (and now has been wiped from) Wikipedia. Even fleeting tremors in cultural development do not get by here, ladies and gentlemen:
Crabcore is a contemporary offshoot from the emocore/screamo sub-genre of hard rock music. Unlike almost all other genres and sub-genres of music, crabcore is defined not by aural motifs, tones, lyrical content, or specific instrument ensembles; but rather by physical gesticulations and contortions of the arms and legs of individual band members during live performances of their music.
Crabcore moves
Chiefly among the crabcore
musician's repertoire of stylistic gestures is the crabwalk itself,
from which the genre's title is derived. The crabwalk is identified by
the player's extremely low stance, wherein both feet are set apart from
one another as far as possible, while still allowing the player to
maintain at least a 90 degree bend in his knees. While in the crab
stance, the player then purposefully transfers the weight of his upper
body between each leg, achieving a swaying motion intended to have a
hypnotic effect among audience members.
Other moves available to crabcore players include;
The 'Richardson Richardson'.
'Krinking'
The 'Beaver Bounce'
The 'Dirty Hamper'
The 'Pestal Press'
Another, somewhat controversial move has gained a foothold in crabcore circles recently, which sees the player simply standing in one spot and running in place. No one understands this move. No one.
The most instantly recognizable signifier of a band within the crabcore oeuvre is the presence of an Arch Cancerped (literally translated; 'chief crabwalker'). The Arch Cancerped (or ACP) is an individual member of the band whose duty it is to set the speed, intensity, and depth of the crabwalk in a given piece of music. Much like the conductor of a symphony orchestra. Typically the ACP wears a black t-shirt and has a dyed-black sideways haircut.
Crabcore bands
For the moment, only the band Attack Attack! is currently playing crabcore, and is at its origin.
But, whereas this style of music has just appeared, we are discovering
that actually, a lot of famous bands had already used or use some
Crabcore moves. The most known must be Metallica, as you can see it in
some live representations. See the references for an example of
Metallica's Crabcore. This version of Crabcore is known as
"proto-Crabcore".
Interviewer: We are here with members of Attack Attack. Could you guys please define the type of music you play.
Attack Attack: We aren't really into genres or trying to define ourselves. We listen to all kinds of crappy music and we think that shows in what we play.
Posted by: C | June 26, 2009 at 12:06 PM
Nobody said that this would be easy
Posted by: bartlebyvqf | June 26, 2009 at 12:31 PM
If I may be so bold, the keyboard player is not very Crabcore at all. And the drummer isn't even trying to be. Sad, I tell ya. Must be why they are proto.
Posted by: AlwaysCrushMe | June 26, 2009 at 12:44 PM
About two minutes into this video, you'll see some of those moves:
http://mediacommons.futureofthebook.org/imr/2008/01/22/be-be-beaver-boys
Posted by: glenno | June 26, 2009 at 12:55 PM
I CALL FOUL!!!! Crabcore used to was what we called hardcore bands from Annapolis MD -- the Hated, Spastic Rats, Moss Icon -- these Bill from Tokyo Hotel wannabe punks can have the emo name if they want (we never liked it) BUT GET YOUR OWN -CORE, GEEKS!!!!!
Posted by: Goyim in the AM | June 26, 2009 at 01:53 PM
There's a facebook group for crabcore fans
I ♥ Crabcore
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=91123024589&ref=share
Posted by: Jon | June 26, 2009 at 05:54 PM
Yechh! Anything that came out of the self-destructive movement EMO has to suck...
Posted by: ljp | June 27, 2009 at 10:07 AM
crabcore used to be what i assumed, was my dad getting a bushel basket of blue claws, tormenting me by waving them in my face & proceeding to stuff himself full of steamed crustaceans & getting wasted on buds while blasting steely dan which would possibly climax with me taking a beating. that was HARDCORE...
Posted by: jeff | June 27, 2009 at 11:32 AM
On the West Coast, the crabwalk is also known as the "Cleveland Steamer".
Posted by: K. | June 27, 2009 at 12:04 PM
Actually it's a move Immortal used.
Does it count as a movement if your band is the only one doing it? That still does not explain the kitchen-sink mess of styles in this pile of vomit.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LlhBtrih96s
Posted by: rattlingwall | June 27, 2009 at 03:06 PM
It looks like some of the dance moves either inspired or were "inspired by" the Beaver Boys segment of Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! on Adult Swim [check local listings]
Posted by: bren | June 27, 2009 at 09:55 PM
Also Bo Diddley was proto-crabcore:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ltQtBtpqig
look closely at 02:00.
Posted by: betaman | July 01, 2009 at 05:50 AM
I almost pissed my pants at the end. God I hope these guys arent trying to be serious.
Posted by: The Ultimation | July 02, 2009 at 06:45 PM
I don't give a shit what's going on here, they use autotune so fuck them.
Posted by: JT | July 07, 2009 at 10:23 PM
GTFO, This shit sucks.
Posted by: God | July 09, 2009 at 02:51 PM
God here again...Your not allowed into heaven either, you don't suck my dick enough. Need more praise in your songs.
Posted by: God | July 09, 2009 at 02:57 PM
message from god, crabcore=fagcore
do the math
nigga
Posted by: God | July 09, 2009 at 11:21 PM
They're actually not the *only* ones - these guys are Christian and cover the postal Service covering Iron & Wine:
Confide - "Such Great Heights"
Posted by: TL | July 14, 2009 at 10:21 PM
putting makeup on shit is still shit
Posted by: lhk | July 29, 2009 at 03:14 PM
Why would put make-up onto shit you sick fuck.
Posted by: JB | August 16, 2009 at 05:24 PM
if attack attack is crab core...then i love it
Posted by: kenda | September 01, 2009 at 02:12 AM
TL, Such Great Heights is a Postal Service song, not Iron & Wine.
Posted by: hi | November 26, 2009 at 05:47 PM
Attack Attack is F'n amazing. All the haters are just that: hating. why would you go around trying to put people down? just because you most likely have no talent. Pathetic I tell you . Pathetic.
Posted by: Olive(: | December 03, 2009 at 12:31 PM
Crabcore = Failcore
I"m Stagger Lee Bitch!!
Posted by: Stagger Lee | December 08, 2009 at 08:44 AM
olive, do you actually think you need talent to be in a band like Attack Attack!? Dumbass..
Posted by: kevtow | January 13, 2010 at 09:42 AM