Written by Warman on 08.10.2007 at 16:57

I actually like the pain afterwards, if it's severe it's probably been one hell of a concert!

I've been thinking like that as well. At some time I figured that I've become too demanding as I didn't seem to enjoy concerts like I did back then when I had bangovers lasting seven days. Then I realized that it was actually my neck which just got used to it all

So yeah, training helps a lot. Three years ago I'd have a bangover for a week from only one concert, by now I can bang throughout a festival without any pain at all. The important thing is not to overdo one movement. Standing tall and tilting your head back and forth all the time will most likely result in a strained neck.

This is how I usually do it: one foot in front, the other half a meter behind in a right angle to the first. Put your weight on the front foot (and put the other one up front if the pressure gets too much) and use your upper body to follow the banging movement (some refer to it as "body-banging"). This way you'll be able to throw your hair back again without having to tilt your head back to the nape of the neck. This position also ensures you've got a stable stand even after a lot of banging and/or boozing. Also do different movements, not only the back-forth-whiplash, but also the eight or the windmill which both require more muscles than the whiplash and thus don't focus as much on only a few muscles.

So you've done everything wrong (or right, depends on your point of view) and got an awful pain the day after nonetheless? A massage always helps, especially if you combine it with medicinal stuff you usually apply when you got strained muscles; if you ain't got any of that at home or prefer natural stuff, essential oils are a real catharsis to the neck as well. And as already mentioned a warm shower or bath is great as well.

Nothing beats the windmill.

Written by Lucas on 03.11.2007 at 12:45

Nothing beats the windmill.

The windmill is ridiculous if you don't have long hair

Written by Deadsoulman on 03.11.2007 at 12:59

Written by Lucas on 03.11.2007 at 12:45

Nothing beats the windmill.

The windmill is ridiculous if you don't have long hair

Yeah, true. I think I am half-qualified.

Written by Lucas on 03.11.2007 at 13:01

Written by Deadsoulman on 03.11.2007 at 12:59

Written by Lucas on 03.11.2007 at 12:45

Nothing beats the windmill.

The windmill is ridiculous if you don't have long hair

Yeah, true. I think I am half-qualified.

Half-qualified is still ridiculous

Written by Promonex on 03.11.2007 at 13:34

Half-qualified is still ridiculous

Haha, well, not as ridiculous as bold people.

Written by Lucas on 03.11.2007 at 13:35


Haha, well, not as ridiculous as bold people.

I've got short hair now, no trouble for banging I had a bit longer hair before, was nice to make a windmill, until the room starts whirling around

Written by Øyvind on 03.11.2007 at 14:23

I had a bit longer hair before, was nice to make a windmill, until the room starts whirling around

Especially if you downed a crapload of alcoholic beverages before the show. I actually feel drunker like that.

Written by Sunioj on 03.11.2007 at 14:32


Especially if you downed a crapload of alcoholic beverages before the show. I actually feel drunker like that.

Why only before? Before, during, throw up, during, after, throw up, go home, etc. etc.

Written by Øyvind on 03.11.2007 at 14:35

Written by Sunioj on 03.11.2007 at 14:32


Especially if you downed a crapload of alcoholic beverages before the show. I actually feel drunker like that.

Why only before? Before, during, throw up, during, after, throw up, go home, etc. etc.

Haha, good point! As a challenge, I also try downing a litre of beer while puking at the same time. Fun but messy.

Written by Sunioj on 03.11.2007 at 14:43

Written by Øyvind on 03.11.2007 at 14:35

Written by Sunioj on 03.11.2007 at 14:32


Especially if you downed a crapload of alcoholic beverages before the show. I actually feel drunker like that.

Why only before? Before, during, throw up, during, after, throw up, go home, etc. etc.

Haha, good point! As a challenge, I also try downing a litre of beer while puking at the same time. Fun but messy.

LOL, weird

hummm..this works for me, so perhaps it will do the same to you...

whenever headbanging, make sure your neck has minimal ability to move, so basically lock your neck. then instead of moving your neck back and forth, try moving your upper body. and if that feels awkward, try standing in a power stance(something you see those guitarists do all the time) and then move your leg with it too.

it looks more extreme!

My neck never seems to get tired from headbanging at concerts. I only start to get a headache and that's usually from dehydration after awhile lol. I have to say though, I can do one sexy haircopter when I do it.

The best way to headbang I've learned is to use as little neck muscles as ossible and use the momentum from your head and body to do the primary movement.... but a good metalhead should already know this sort of info

I figured out, that the "headbanging" of Jens Kidman is actually quite enjoyable - looks weird, economic concerning space and pain, fancy and if you're bored by yourself after a while or the band gives a bit more you can still change style and do the good old "when-I-do-headbanging-my-head-will-crush-my-knee"...

a good repertoire is all!

Written by Lucas on 03.11.2007 at 12:45

Nothing beats the windmill.

Haha on Halloween I was running low on funds so I just covered myself in baby powder, and discovered that the windmill headbang became a tornado of dust...

Yeah that windmilling must be a real pain in the neck...I went and saw Quo Vadis last week and they were doing quite a lot of windmilling...the hardcore bands I usually see around here do a shitload of windmilling...although i'm sure that if I had all that hair, I would do windmilling too...

Only after Kreator I couldn't move my head. But really I could't. I didn't sleep that night because of the pain. But the feeling is absolutely perfect!!!

Man if i had a nickel ..... (bad phrase) but not only do i get the neck cramp, its sometimes followed by a badass headache and sometimes even a soar throat next day aaah man do i enjoy going to concerts!!

It doesnt bother my neck as much as it does my brain lol...

I've seen Sahg and Satyricon Live day before yesterday and I've stiff got a stiff neck

So, according to a study from two researchers of the University of New South Wales (Australia), head-banging can cause mild brain injury and several other bad stuff! Click here read the entire article and in fact there are a lot of injured people out here but the way I see it, just keep on banging!!

Yeah, sure, keep on banging and fuck up your neck and head. YAY METAL!

I decided I would wait until my hair is at least to my shoulders... or close. I hate headbanging with short hair, it just feels ridiculous and face it....LOOKS ridiculous. *Most of the time

The last band I banged my head for was Enslaved and after that I think I'll just wait it out.

@CDR: Yeah I used to headbang at shows but I have short hair...I don't headbang at shows anymore...I don't even mosh...I just go up into the mezz, get drunk and yell shit at the bands...

I remember a festival I asisted in the city I live. It's like a tradition, every august the festival comes and different bands perform.
I wont forget the pain afterwards, as somebody said before, I could barely sleep; but ir felt awesome! xD