The otherwise inoffensive Dave Matthews Band has a strange effect on the people of Hartford (via Fark):
(Hartford) - Eyewitness News has new information on the riot that broke out at the Dave Matthews concert in Hartford last night.
Police used tear gas and sting balls to break up a fight in the Jai Alai parking lot.
To paraphrase Robin Williams playing Adrian Cronauer, "I didn't know he had balls."
Onward.
Eyewitnesses say people were throwing bottles and rocks at each other.
Twenty-five people were arrested on charges of inciting a riot, assault and breach of peace.
...
The scene reminded everyone of another riot at the Meadows five years ago.People fought, threw objects and burned cars at that Dave Matthews concert.
Now that's concise reporting. As for the DMB out-Bizkiting Fred Durst and his ilk, I'd have to surmise that the otherwise mellow Matthews fans finally had enough of $6 bottles of water and $14 service charges for their tickets.
And I hear they were confiscating bota bags at the gate.
I was somewhat involved in what had the makings of a pretty big brawl at a marina just outside a Jimmy Buffet concert. Which struck me as another odd place to have a fight.
Sailors and Powerboaters do NOT mix.
I don't find it surprising at all, really...
It definitely seems that many Dave Matthews fans, particularly many who habitually attend these concerts, are the same people who like Phish and the Grateful Dead... and are often whooped up on psychotropics, opiates, and alcohol, trying to make their living by illegally selling wares (without permits) or selling illegal wares (controlled/illegal substances) out of the backs of vans or boots of cars so they can continue to follow bands like Phish around as the years of their lives roll by them.
And it makes sense that these particular people would naturally clash violently with police considering that they're A) doing illegal things, and B) lacking impulse-control because they're under the influence of pychotropics, opiates, and alcohol.
And this doesn't just happen in Connecticut, because a friend told me about one that happened some years ago in Colorado - where the concert-want-to-goers who didn't think to get tickets in advance, took out their disappointment of not getting into the concert by rioting in the town, smashing windows of businesses in the town & such.
And people were surprised because these people were supposedly pease/love/hippie types.
Well... do the math...
anebriation + hallucinations + illegal activities + crowds + law enforcement = riot
As for Jimmy Buffet - anybody who wears a Hawaiian shirt outside of Hawaii is just looking for trouble. hahaha!!! (Just kidding.)
I don't know why, but the DMB alwasy struck as the Wiggles for adults.