It is amazing how much insight you can get from watching a crowd at an M-Shop show. The various attitudes of ISU and Ames in one smoky room. Almost like rats in a maze.

Friday night, I had the pleasure of seeing the N.I.L.8/Fragile Porcelain Mice show. Personally, I had a blast, but that is not what this is about. I kept an eye on the crowd, which at times can be very entertaining.

I have to admit I got the idea from something Evan Dorkin and Kyle Baker did for the Village Voice. Evan and Kyle would go to a show at the legendary CBGB’s and review the crowd instead of the band.

From the concerts I have attended in Ames, I have realized that the crowds are usually pretty mellow. A band that could get a crowd in Iowa City or Cedar Falls in an uproar gets a pretty mild response in comparison. ISU seems afraid to have fun, unless it involves something illegal.

So, as I watched the crowd during the Fragile Porcelain Mice set, I noticed the “Opening Act” syndrome. Lots of people standing around with their arms crossed and that ‘alternative’ look on their faces. Everybody knows that the opening act just bites, and they don’t deserve our gratification.

A small group in front of the stage seemed to be part of the “Caffeine Crowd,” inflicting as much violence on themselves and those around them as possible. One girl, about five foot four, was just shoving her friends all over the place. Must have been Iowa City transplants.

Fragile Porcelain Mice also had the usual crowd that enjoyed the show but were not as eager to let loose quite yet. Heads nodding to the music, a slight bob in the step, yelling at the appropriate times. I fell into this group of the crowd.

As the Mice left the stage and N.I.L.8 set up for the show, you could see a change in parts of the crowd. A few people meandering closer to the front of the stage — something was brewing. This might be something I have never seen at an Ames show before. I could only hope, or maybe fear.

As N.I.L.8 took the stage, it was obvious why the crowd was there. A mosh pit quickly formed, a pool of flailing bodies.

A few of the “Opening Act” types were now getting into the show a lot more. Could be they were just a bit more inebriated — I can’t say for sure. It was getting interesting, from a scientific and musical standpoint.

The middle ground still had a certain flair — getting a bit more involved but not diving head-first into the crowd. It is hard to resist the urge to loose some control with a band like N.I.L.8 on the stage. Inspired chaos seems to be their mission.

On the north side of the M-Shop, over toward the bar, stood the true ‘alternative’ crowd, their sullen faces only slightly hinting at enjoyment of the show. I could almost read their bitter, deluded minds.

“This band should be honored that my presence is at this show. They have no idea who the hell I am, but they should feel so freakin’ special!”

Frankly, these people scare me. This is part of the reason nothing ever gets done around here. People are so self-absorbed and yet terribly apathetic. The world revolves around them, and nothing else matters. Shove it in their face and still they won’t see it.

The mosh pit is pretty much the same way. Not as self-absorbed as the ‘alterna-kids,’ but still oblivious of what’s around them. Something is there, but you can just run into it and go the other way. They seem to over-shoot the goal. Getting too involved too quickly can get you dropped on your head.

The influential part of the crowd is that middle ground; not afraid to let loose and let people see how they feel. Getting involved, but not over-shooting the goal. The middle ground is looking at all the options. Keeping an eye on the bodies coming their way.

I’m proud to be part of that middle ground crowd. Let my voice be heard — maybe I can change something someday. I’m not drowning in my own ego or in the mass of bodies that have gone too far.

I’m the guy head-banging on the side, observing everything going on around me. Problem, is my neck is getting sore. Keep an eye on the band and do not over-shoot your goal.

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Andrew Seitz is a junior in art and design from Dyersville.