A correction was added to this article Feb. 25.

Because of a reporting error, the Feb. 23 article “Moshin’ with caution” incorrectly implied a lawsuit was ongoing. The lawsuit was resolved Feb. 17 with both Brad Morgan and Hairy Mary’s found equally at fault. The article also stated that Morgan was a former Drake University student. He was a student studying for his General Equivalency Diploma. The Daily regrets this error.

At first glance, it might seem Tim Leabo, bassist for Des Moines heavy metal band Violent Impact, is talking about injuries sustained in a car wreck.

“I used to, but I tore an ACL in one knee, so I stopped,” he says.

In reality, Leabo is explaining why he quit participating in moshing at local concerts.

According to a negligence lawsuit filed by a former Drake University student against rock venue Hairy Mary’s, 2307 University Ave. in Des Moines, moshing can be a physically dangerous proposition.

The lawsuit, filed by 27-year-old Brad Morgan, is seeking compensation for medical bills resulting from a broken arm Morgan reportedly received in 2002 in the mosh pit while attending a show by Des Moines metal band Face Cage.

Leabo, whose band has played numerous shows at Hairy Mary’s during its year and a half of existence, said he is skeptical of Morgan’s claim.

“That whole deal is a complete joke,” Leabo says. “It’s kind of a cop-out. Someone was intoxicated, got hurt and couldn’t pay their medical bills.”

Jason Handy, drummer for Des Moines hard rock trio Ash Veneer, thinks it is the fan’s responsibility to keep himself or herself out of harm’s way.

“I don’t think the club should be held responsible whatsoever,” Handy says.

“If I’m worried about getting hurt, I move. It’s a person’s choice to be involved.”

Other local venues have their own policies regarding moshing. Jerry Lowe, manager for rock club House of Bricks in Des Moines, says providing a safe environment for fans is the best way to avoid situations like the one in which Hairy Mary’s has found itself.

“We’ve had Face Cage shows here and been fine because we provided the right amount of security,” Lowe says.

“It’s all about creating an atmosphere of safety.”

Lowe says that, in addition to beefing up the venue’s security during hard rock shows, the House of Bricks expects the bands to take up their share of the responsibility.

“We provide extra security and expect them to provide extra security, as well,” Lowe says.

In spite of all the precautions most venues take in order to quell unruly behavior, Lowe says the very nature of the club environment makes it a challenge to keep things orderly.

“You’re dealing with hard rock in a bar setting — it’s bound to happen.” Lowe says.

Chase Feldmann, junior in chemistry, says he has been going to local rock shows for the last three years. Feldmann agrees that venues sometimes have their hands full.

“It’s not right to hold the venue responsible,” Feldmann says. “The kids who go there are the cause. It’s hard to keep them in control.”

Feldmann says that, although he has sustained scrapes and bruises while moshing, injuries in the mosh pit are rarely intentional.

“Ninety-nine percent of people are there to burn off energy, not to get in a fight,” Feldmann says.

Katie Hulet, senior in electrical engineering and hard rock fan, agrees that, for the most part, moshing can be a positive thing.

“It’s definitely a good way to get out aggression,” Hulet says. “If someone falls, they get right back up.”

Although much of Violent Impact’s music is mosh-friendly, Leabo says the band would never want to see its fans put in harm’s way.

“We never look for anyone to get hurt,” Leabo says. “You never go to a show with the intention to hurt anyone.”

Leabo says it’s usually only a few fans who come to shows to behave violently.

“People have fun, but then you have the egotistical guys that knock people down or take cheap shots,” Leabo says.

Darius Hernandez, drummer for Des Moines punk rock band Shiloh Church, says most bands just want their music to cause some sort of reaction with fans.

“It’s encouraging to see people getting into the music,” Hernandez says.

Handy agrees that crowd response is a very important part of what Ash Veneer and other local bands do.

“It doesn’t need to be moshing, but some kind of reaction is key,” Handy says.

“It’s always cooler to see a big group of people moshing or jumping around.”

Local metal and hard rock bands, fans and venue operators are all concerned about the potential impact the suit against Hairy Mary’s could have on the local scene.

Eric Yarwood, coordinator for the Maintenance Shop, says that area rock venues may have to radically alter their policies.

“I could see that changing things completely,” Yarwood says. “I could see a lot of places not allowing moshing at all.”

Feldmann says that in the end, it is the fans themselves who will lose out.

“Hairy Mary’s might think twice about bringing in metal bands, which would be bad for the scene,” he says.