TheprideandjoyoftheEmeraldIsle?

Hardcore/rapcore (whatever the term is this week) kiddies look out! You might be surprised to know that the super Irish cover band Blackthorn created a lot more havoc at their show this past Saturday night in Wtldwood, NJ than those crazy cats from the leaders of the new-metal genre, Korn with their "Family Values" package tour, which included Limp Bizkit, Ice Cube, Orgy and Rammstein.

I'm not exactly sure how it came to be, but I was pretty much forced to relinquish my spots on the guest list for this Korn extravaganza (of which I had been all hyped about since late August) at the First Union Center this past Saturday to my punk brother in order to accompany my oh-so-patriotic family on their venture down to Wtldwood, NJ for the annual Irish Weekend.

Tiris was my first Irish weekend.

I've never witnessed such a chaotic mass of concentrated drunkenness in a confined area like this past weekend and from what I gathered, it topped last year's attendance numbers by drawing in over 100,000 supporters. Everyone's objective (or perceived objective anyhow) was to live up to that lovely Irish stereotype. Oh, and it was met full circle.

Sure, I bet there were several people tanked and stoned at "Family Values," but I swear it appeared as though everyone was out of it down at Wtldwood. If you were not in attendance, let me refresh you. All the streets around Anglesea (the hot spot for clubbing) were blocked off so people could drink in the streets.Yes, there were vendors, but the people making the most loot were by far the bartenders or anyone dispensing or peddling alcohol.

Mind you, the clubs were so packed, the streets were clubs in themselves, with people singing and dancing. I was in line at the Wawa to tap the MAC and there were people placing their beers on top of the machine to get more cash for more drinks. At Moore's Inlet, the club hosting Blackthorn for all four nights of Irish family fun, erected a rested on the spot any other weekend. And I have personally experienced the harassment of bouncers for a phony ID, but hey, a little consistency would be appreciated.

Instead of evading the hectic dancers, crazed moshers or crowd surfers at the Korn show, I repeatedly endured people tripping over me, the singeing from numerous cigarettes, elbow jabs from the enthusiastic fans during the "Celtic Symphony" renditions, the poking from Irish flags being feverishly waved about and never mind all the Roxbury types (Saturday Night Live reference) attempting to grope me. And there were allegedly four people trampled on during the last performance by Blackthorn on Saturday night.

Colleen Ehrle

colossal tent for all patrons to fit. However, they continuously kept letting everyone in at the door as long they handed over their $5 cover. They easily surpassed their fire ordinance policy numbers by 10 times the legal capacity.

It was absolutely nutty. Nothing was questioned by police, unless, let's say, you were passed out on the ground. But then again, it was so packed on Friday and Saturday night, who's to say anyone would have even noticed you, which is the scary part of it, since there were many little children and senior citizens present.

This was such a paradox in comparison to the police's sudden crackdown with public and under-age drinking mid-way through this past summer. Those who walked out of any clubs with alcohol would get ar-

Maybe I'm just bitter because I was only sporting a mild buzz throughout Saturday night. And don't get me wrong, I'm happy to be Irish and all. Nevertheless, I'm glad to say I'm also a quarter German and a quarter Polish.

In closing, to all of you who feel rock concerts are becoming too lame by attracting corny crowds with people who actually take responsibility and control themselves, skip Ozzfest, the Warped Tour and whatever other festivals emerge next summer and head down to the Jersey shore next September, where the music might suck, but hey, there are no rules, and you'll be so obliterated, Blackthorn will be your next favorite band. 0-lay o-lay, o-lay,o-lay

ColleenEhrleis a seniormajoringin English/communication.Sheis a guest writerfor Loquitur.Sheenjoyedher Guinnesslastweekend.