It’s funny how poetry readings are used in movies, music videos, and television shows to establish a hushed, sanctimonious, and rather precious atmosphere. Perhaps there’s still something to that, which may explain why so many poets pack their work with expletives and lurid accounts of sexual encounters. Épater la bourgeoisie

! In any case, here’s a video by a DRI-style punk-metal outfit called Iron Reagan in which the metalheads (dressed circa 1987) attend a sedate poetry reading and are inspired to break into a mosh. I’ve always wished a mosh pit would erupt in the middle of a poetry reading. Now we have it! Thank you, Iron Reagan.