Crabcore

Crabcore is an internet meme that originated in 2007, mocking metalcore guitarists who squat low with their legs spread in a "crab-like" stance while performing.[1][2][3] It has been mimicked by a variety of musical groups,[4] leading many magazines and agencies, such as Rolling Stone, Houston Press, and NPR to classify it as a jocular musical style, or microgenre.[1][5][6][7][8]

Origin and legacy
"Crabcore" squatting featured in the music video for "Stick Stickly" by metalcore group Attack Attack!.

"Crabcore" originated in late 2007, and was first seen in a live performance by blessthefall. While performing "Higinia", former lead singer Craig Mabbitt is seen squatting, almost in a “crab-like” way during the breakdown.

However, the term "crabcore" was later popularized in reference to the Ohio metalcore band Attack Attack!, who featured a "crab-like" dance during breakdowns in their music video for the 2009 single "Stick Stickly" from the album Someday Came Suddenly.[1][7][8] Norwegian black metal musician Abbath of the band Immortal is similarly known for crouching and walking in a similar fashion to that of a crab during the band's performances and music videos.[9] Metallica bassist Robert Trujillo is also known for a similar stance during the band's live concerts, long before the popularization of the term "crabcore".[2]

Metallica bassist Robert Trujillo crab walks to the delight of fans.
Bassist Robert Trujillo performing a "crab walk" for fans.
A crab, Robert Trujillo
A crab.

In an interview with former Attack Attack! vocalist Caleb Shomo, Rolling Stone reporter Kory Grow referred to crabcore as a musical genre; Shomo, however, said he found the term "hilarious" and the band was "just being dumb".[7] The Phoenix New Times criticized "Stick Stickly" for its abrupt transitions and auto-tuned vocals, and stated that "crabcore" is "probably not a real genre".[10] According to John McDonnell of The Guardian:[1]

"Unlike all the other genres covered in this column, crabcore isn't defined by sonics or BPMs or lyrical content, or tied to a geographic location. Crabcore is defined by the body contortions of the band's guitarists when they perform. This is the lolloping crab-like stance adopted while a guitar player shreds, and it's not dissimilar to a sumo wrestler having extreme muscle spasms while readying themselves to engage with an opponent."

Music associated with "crabcore" and the use of the term itself has been met with criticism.[1][10] On July 13, 2009, former Attack Attack! vocalist Nick Barham was asked about crabcore in an interview with Hardtimes, and said that the band has embraced the meme as a publicity stunt. In a 2010 interview with Village Voice Media the band reiterated "people call us crabcore ... we just roll with it, it's funny."[11] Attack Attack!'s self-titled second album peaked at No. 26 on the Billboard 200, prompting Metal Insider reporter Zach Shaw to write "Crabcore reached this high on the charts? Indeed a sad day."[12]

In 2011 the animated sitcom South Park episode You're Getting Old aired, parodying "tween wave" music, possibly referring to "crabcore".[13][14] In 2016 Abandon All Ships' bassist Martin Broda tweeted "#defendcrabcore" just prior to the release of their single "Loafting".[4] Members of the extreme metal band Allegaeon often perform dressed in crab costumes and imitate the typical stance.[15][16] Many other bands have been referred to as "crabcore" for featuring a similar stance or musical style, including Asking Alexandria and This Romantic Tragedy.[4][6] Crabcore has sometimes been associated with electronicore characteristics, auto-tuned vocals, and excessive breakdowns "one after the other".[10] Merchandise featuring the meme is sold online.

See also

References
  1. McDonnell, John (June 23, 2009). "Scene and heard: Crabcore". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved July 20, 2017.
  2. "From Crabcore to Pornogrind: Metal's 10 Most Ridiculous Subgenres". VH1 News. Retrieved July 20, 2017.
  3. Sun, The Cornell Daily. "Student Artist Spotlight: Snorkel Party". The Cornell Daily Sun. Retrieved July 20, 2017.
  4. "5 Bands Defending the 2016 Crabcore-Revival". Kill the Music. Retrieved July 20, 2017.
  5. Ali, Reyan (December 2, 2010). "Attack Attack! Leads Hardcore Lineup Coming to Revolution". New Times Broward-Palm Beach. Retrieved July 20, 2017.
  6. "Genre Dictionary, 2000-09: From Crabcore to S---gaze". NPR. Retrieved July 20, 2017.
  7. "Beartooth". Rolling Stone. Retrieved July 24, 2017.
  8. Deiterman, Corey (October 20, 2015). "Metalcore Bands are Going Mainstream, and It's Painful". Houston Press. Retrieved July 24, 2017.
  9. Fire, Ice, and Surf Rock: Immortal A to Z Vice
  10. Moore, Dan (May 13, 2013). "RIP Crabcore: Attack Attack! Are In Phoenix Tonight (But Things Have Changed)". Phoenix New Times. Retrieved July 20, 2017.
  11. VVMTV (March 20, 2010), SXSW 2010: Attack Attack! Explain Crab Core, retrieved July 26, 2017
  12. Shaw, Zach (June 16, 2010). "Metal By Numbers 6/16: Attack of the Crabcore - Metal Insider". Metal Insider. Retrieved July 26, 2017.
  13. "South Park: "You're Getting Old"". June 8, 2011. Retrieved July 20, 2017.
  14. "Which Musical Genre Was South Park Spoofing With 'Tween Wave'? | Village Voice". Retrieved July 26, 2017.
  15. "Allegaeon Joined Onstage By Man Dressed As Giant Crab". Theprp.com. August 8, 2014. Retrieved July 21, 2017.
  16. "This Video from Allegaeon May Be the Best Thing You See Today - A Journal of Musical Things". A Journal of Musical Things. May 8, 2014. Retrieved July 21, 2017.
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