More on Attack Attack: Crabcore Explained

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".

Comments

[C]

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.

[bartlebyvqf]

Nobody said that this would be easy

[AlwaysCrushMe]

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.

[glenno]

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

[Goyim in the AM]

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!!!!!

[Jon]

There's a facebook group for crabcore fans
I ♥ Crabcore
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=91123024589&ref=share

[ljp]

Yechh! Anything that came out of the self-destructive movement EMO has to suck...

[jeff]

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...

[K.]

On the West Coast, the crabwalk is also known as the "Cleveland Steamer".

[rattlingwall]

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

[bren]

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]

[betaman]

Also Bo Diddley was proto-crabcore:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ltQtBtpqig
look closely at 02:00.

[The Ultimation]

I almost pissed my pants at the end. God I hope these guys arent trying to be serious.

[JT]

I don't give a shit what's going on here, they use autotune so fuck them.

[God]

GTFO, This shit sucks.

[God]

God here again...Your not allowed into heaven either, you don't suck my dick enough. Need more praise in your songs.

[God]

message from god, crabcore=fagcore

do the math

nigga

[TL]

They're actually not the *only* ones - these guys are Christian and cover the postal Service covering Iron & Wine:
Confide - "Such Great Heights"

[lhk]

putting makeup on shit is still shit

[JB]

Why would put make-up onto shit you sick fuck.

[kenda]

if attack attack is crab core...then i love it

[hi]

TL, Such Great Heights is a Postal Service song, not Iron & Wine.

[Olive(:]

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.

[Stagger Lee]

Crabcore = Failcore
I"m Stagger Lee Bitch!!

[kevtow]

olive, do you actually think you need talent to be in a band like Attack Attack!? Dumbass..