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Crabcore

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"Crabcore" squatting featured in the music video for "Stick Stickly" by metalcore group Attack Attack!
A crab

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

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Metallica bassist Robert Trujillo crab walking to the delight of fans
Bassist Robert Trujillo performing a "crab walk" for fans

"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]

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 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

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e McDonnell, John (June 23, 2009). "Scene and heard: Crabcore". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved July 20, 2017.
  2. ^ a b "From Crabcore to Pornogrind: Metal's 10 Most Ridiculous Subgenres". VH1 News. Archived from the original on November 10, 2023. Retrieved July 20, 2017.
  3. ^ Sun, The Cornell Daily (November 30, 2001). "Student Artist Spotlight: Snorkel Party". The Cornell Daily Sun. Retrieved July 20, 2017.
  4. ^ a b c "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. ^ a b "Genre Dictionary, 2000-09: From Crabcore to S---gaze". NPR. Retrieved July 20, 2017.
  7. ^ a b c "Beartooth". Rolling Stone. Retrieved July 24, 2017.
  8. ^ a b 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. ^ a b c 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". June 9, 2011. 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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