Crabcore

{{Short description|Internet meme}} {{Use mdy dates|date=January 2018}}

'''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.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2009/jun/23/scene-and-heard-crabcore|title=Scene and heard: Crabcore|last=McDonnell|first=John|date=June 23, 2009|work=The Guardian|access-date=July 20, 2017|issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref name=VH1>{{Cite news|url=https://www.vh1.com/news/krryk7/metals-most-ridiculous-subgenres|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231110195455/https://www.vh1.com/news/krryk7/metals-most-ridiculous-subgenres|url-status=live|archive-date=November 10, 2023|title=From Crabcore to Pornogrind: Metal's 10 Most Ridiculous Subgenres|work=VH1 News|access-date=July 20, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://cornellsun.com/2010/09/21/student-artist-spotlight-snorkel-party/|title=Student Artist Spotlight: Snorkel Party|last=Sun|first=The Cornell Daily|website=The Cornell Daily Sun|date=November 30, 2001 |access-date=July 20, 2017}}</ref> It has been mimicked by a variety of musical groups,<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url=https://killthemusic.net/blog/5-bands-defending-the-2016-crabcore-revival|title=5 Bands Defending the 2016 Crabcore-Revival|work=Kill the Music|access-date=July 20, 2017}}</ref> leading many magazines and agencies, such as ''Rolling Stone'', ''Houston Press'', and NPR to classify it as a jocular musical style, or microgenre.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.browardpalmbeach.com/music/attack-attack-leads-hardcore-lineup-coming-to-revolution-6345945|title=Attack Attack! Leads Hardcore Lineup Coming to Revolution|last=Ali|first=Reyan|date=December 2, 2010|work=New Times Broward-Palm Beach|access-date=July 20, 2017}}</ref><ref name="npr">{{Cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/sections/monitormix/2009/11/genre_dictionary_20002009_from.html|title=Genre Dictionary, 2000-09: From Crabcore to S---gaze|publisher=NPR|access-date=July 20, 2017}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/pictures/10-new-artists-you-need-to-know-june-2014-20140619/beartooth-0571838|title=Beartooth|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=July 24, 2017}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite news|url=http://www.houstonpress.com/music/metalcore-bands-are-going-mainstream-and-its-painful-7805113|title=Metalcore Bands are Going Mainstream, and It's Painful|last=Deiterman|first=Corey|date=October 20, 2015|work=Houston Press|access-date=July 24, 2017}}</ref>

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== Origin and legacy == upright| thumb | alt= 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''.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":3" /><ref name=":4" /> 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.<ref>[https://www.vice.com/en/article/immortal-a-to-z/ Fire, Ice, and Surf Rock: Immortal A to Z] Vice</ref> 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".<ref name="VH1" />

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".<ref name=":3" /> 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".<ref name=":5">{{Cite news|url=http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/music/rip-crabcore-attack-attack-are-in-phoenix-tonight-but-things-have-changed-6618806|title=RIP Crabcore: Attack Attack! Are In Phoenix Tonight (But Things Have Changed)|last=Moore|first=Dan|date=May 13, 2013|work=Phoenix New Times|access-date=July 20, 2017}}</ref> According to John McDonnell of ''The Guardian'':<ref name=":0" /><blockquote>"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."</blockquote>

Music associated with "crabcore" and the use of the term itself has been met with criticism.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":5" /> 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."<ref>{{Citation|last=VVMTV|title=SXSW 2010: Attack Attack! Explain Crab Core|date=March 20, 2010|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nkUefHS5Cs|access-date=July 26, 2017}}</ref> 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."<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.metalinsider.net/columns/metal-by-numbers/metal-by-numbers-616-attack-of-the-crabcore|title=Metal By Numbers 6/16: Attack of the Crabcore - Metal Insider|last=Shaw|first=Zach|date=June 16, 2010|work=Metal Insider|access-date=July 26, 2017}}</ref>

In 2011, the animated sitcom ''South Park'' episode ''You're Getting Old'' aired, parodying "tween wave" music, possibly referring to "crabcore".<ref name=":2">{{Cite news|date=June 8, 2011|title=South Park: "You're Getting Old"|url=https://www.avclub.com/south-park-youre-getting-old-1798168501|access-date=July 20, 2017}}</ref><ref name="VVSP">{{Cite web|title=Which Musical Genre Was South Park Spoofing With 'Tween Wave'? {{!}} Village Voice|date=June 9, 2011 |url=https://www.villagevoice.com/2011/06/09/which-musical-genre-was-south-park-spoofing-with-tween-wave/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180913130825/https://www.villagevoice.com/2011/06/09/which-musical-genre-was-south-park-spoofing-with-tween-wave/|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 13, 2018|access-date=July 26, 2017}}</ref> In 2016, Abandon All Ships' bassist Martin Broda tweeted "#defendcrabcore" just prior to the release of their single "Loafting".<ref name=":1" /> Members of the extreme metal band Allegaeon often perform dressed in crab costumes and imitate the typical stance.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.theprp.com/2014/08/08/news/allegaeon-joined-onstage-by-man-dressed-as-giant-crab/|title=Allegaeon Joined Onstage By Man Dressed As Giant Crab|date=August 8, 2014|website=Theprp.com|access-date=July 21, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.ajournalofmusicalthings.com/video-allegaeon-may-best-thing-see-today/|title=This Video from Allegaeon May Be the Best Thing You See Today - A Journal of Musical Things|date=May 8, 2014|work=A Journal of Musical Things|access-date=July 21, 2017}}</ref> Many other bands have been referred to as "crabcore" for featuring a similar stance or musical style, including Asking Alexandria and This Romantic Tragedy.<ref name=":1"/><ref name="npr"/> Crabcore has sometimes been associated with electronicore characteristics, auto-tuned vocals, and excessive breakdowns "one after the other".<ref name=":5"/> Merchandise featuring the meme is sold online, including a shirt released by the Finnish metalcore band One Morning Left which reads "Finnish crabcore bitch!".<ref>https://tornfromthegrave.us/products/finnish-crabcore-t-shirt</ref>

== See also == * Viral video

== References == {{reflist}}

Category:2000s neologisms Category:Metalcore Category:Internet memes introduced in 2009 Category:Crabs_in_culture