Frequently Asked Questions

Answered from the perspective of our founder, SpooN Foy:

“When I was a child, I had a lot of breathing issues. My earliest memory is sitting in an oxygen tent in my parents’ bedroom when I was 3, watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade, because I had a horrible case of the Croup. I remember various members of my family visiting me throughout the day, and eating Thanksgiving dinner on the bed in the tent.

Fast forward several years and our local doctor (I grew up in Pennsylvania, in between Pittsburgh and Erie) diagnosed me with “asthma” due to issues I was having in gym class. We believed this to be the case for several years, until I was 18.

When I was 18, I suffered a collapsed lung (a spontaneous pneumothorax, in medical terms) while playing the drums. I was in and out of consciousness almost immediately and my brother got me to the ER in true superhero fashion. A crash cart, emergency surgery, and a brush with death later, I woke up under the lights of the hospital. The doctor explained that I was literally 30 seconds away from permanent brain damage due to oxygen deprivation, and was lucky to be alive considering how quickly they had to operate and get me on a breathing machine.

After a slew of tests and screenings and whatnot, the doctors informed me that I did not, in fact, have asthma as was presumed most of my life. I was born with Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency, or more easily understood as Genetic Emphysema. Yup, that disease that most smokers have to work years and years to earn, I was born with. Woo. Yay genetic lottery. After the diagnosis, I was informed that my lungs are damaged (one is basically dead, the other is lazy), and that most people with the condition (which is 1 out of 3500, or 0.02% of the population) are lucky to make it to 40.

Being 18 and young and invincible one minute, then being resuscitated and told “welcome back” the next, just before you get told that you’re essentially halfway done with your life, can realllllly have a dramatic effect on your outlook on things. While I was lying in bed and recovering, I had more than a little time on my hands, so I started designing a tattoo for myself.

Thus, the ICoN eye was born, and I placed it on my forearm so that it was always in my peripheral vision. A constant companion every day. I can see it even now as I’m typing this.

I designed it as an eye to suggest that it’s always watching out. Always “looking for the positive”, helping me look out for myself and others.

What most people don’t know, is that “ICoN” is actually an acronym. It stands for “I Cower Over Nothing”, because I already survived literally the worst that life could throw at me, so what is there to be scared of? It’s my compass for my attitude, and to remind myself to be grateful that I’m still here. Oh, got a flat tire on the way to work? Well, you have 3 good tires and a job. Fighting with your girlfriend? You have someone that cares about you. Homeless and sleeping under an awning? You woke up today, and you’re still breathing.

A lot of you have probably heard my typical response to the question “Hey SpooN, how are you?”, but this probably gives you clarity as to why I respond with “Still breathin’. It’s a good day.” It is ALWAYS a good day. Until the day comes when I close my eyes for good, it will ALWAYS be better than the worst day I’ve ever had.

ICoN is my reminder that I am truly blessed. To never give up. To not take tomorrow for granted. To not get stressed out by the little things. To not waste what time we have. To spread love, and energy, and to be positivity in people’s lives. To meet a stranger, and make them feel like family.

While I struggled with my diagnosis, I turned heavily to my first love in life, music. I started attending way more concerts than usual (I had been a regular at concerts ever since my first local punk show when I was 10), and getting way more hype than usual. Living in the moment and letting the music and energy pour through me. Enjoying every song like it might be the last song I ever heard. Two of my closest friends started coming with me to most every show, and we became kind of a staple in the Raleigh music scene. Local bands knew us by name, people would put us on the guest list so we could “bring the energy”, friends would plan shows around when we were available…

And thus, the Pit Crew was born. 3 of us at first, and then slowly 5, 8, and then before we knew it, over 20 of us. Eventually, we decided that we needed a logo. Now, most people that get close to me eventually learn my story (probably from my friends referring to me as “The One-Lunged Wonder”), and as such, pretty much everyone in the Pit Crew back then knew about my tattoo, and why I had it. Everyone loved the story behind it, and what it stood for, so it was suggested that we used ICoN as the official logo of the Pit Crew. Everyone immediately jumped on board, and the ever-watchful eye became a mainstay at shows.

Fast forward several years, and the movement that we started so long ago seems like it’s here to stay. Born out of tragedy, Pit Crew is now thousands of people strong, spreading love and energy everywhere we can. Multiple people have ICoN forever written into their flesh, many more have expressed interest in wearing it as well. Other than being a father, it is easily the thing I am most proud of in life. To know that there is a legacy here, and a family to defend it, as well as a next generation to carry it with them. It genuinely brings tears to my eyes to think about.

Having a bad week? Well, there’s a concert coming up later this month, so bring it the fuck on life. Gimme your best shot. I can take it. I Cower Over Nothing. “

There are 4 rites of passage to join the Pit Crew.

1. You can attend more shows than Tim in a month.
2. You can make better beef jerky than Chase or Rob.
3. You can beat Frank in a sumo match.
4. You can bribe SpooN with a case of mandrinks.

Accomplishing any of these feats automatically inducts you into the hallowed halls of the Pit Crew pantheon, and earns you eternal renown.

Just kidding. If you’re reading this, then you likely met some of us at a show, had a great time, maybe jumped in a Family Photo, and tracked us down here. If you are willing to spread love and energy, and pick people up when they’re down, then you’re basically already one of us. Welcome home. Register here on the site, make a post introducing yourself, and start getting acquainted with your Family. If you feel so inclined, you can also check out the official Pit Crew shop to pick up a shirt, bandana, or any other accoutrements you may wish to rock at your next show.

Categorically, resoundingly, unflinchingly, and emphatically YES. The Pit Crew knows no age, color, creed, religion, political affiliation, race, sex, orientation, or any other category you can use to divide people. We are here for the music and the family. We have members that have aged out of the pit, or have been sidelined from injury. We have members from 80 seconds old, to 80 years old. If you are willing to spread love and energy and help those around you, whether from the center of the pit or the back of the crowd, you are welcome and wanted here.

“Watch the page for SpooN to announce when he’s taking orders again.” – everybody, 3 times a day, c. 2023

But in seriousness, the Pit Crew now has a fully functional storefront of our very own at shop.iconpitcrew.com. We also sometimes have a booth at local and regional festivals in North Carolina and the surrounding areas, but those are always announced in advance.

Officially, we are “Pit Crew”, or “the Pit Crew”.

ICoN is the logo, Pit Crew is the entity/collective/group.

“Pit Crew, LLC” is the name of the company behind the scenes, “Pit Crew” is the trademark, and #PitCrew is the original hashtag.

In reality, saying “ICoN Pit Crew” is kinda like saying “Swoosh Nike” or “Alligator Lacoste”. The main contributing factors to this over the years have been that when the Facebook group was formed, it had to be a unique name, and “Pit Crew” and “The Pit Crew” were both already taken, so “ICoN Pit Crew” was the next logical step. The same applies to all of our social accounts (IG, X, etc), and website address.

The other piece of it is that the ICoN eye (and what it represents) has become essentially synonymous with the Pit Crew ever since the day we chose to use it as our logo, and many people have gravitated to that message even more so than the shenanigans we get up to in the pit at shows.

In the end, you’re not going to offend or confuse anyone with either name. If you find it easier or faster to say ICoN, go for it. If you prefer to keep it OG and say Pit Crew, have at it. They both translate into “Family” anyway.

Pit Crew Press offers a range of services, including press releases, album reviews, venue reviews, tour reviews, interviews, concert coverage, and photo shoots. Please direct all inquiries for press and media coverage to press@iconpitcrew.com.

The easiest way to tell that is to hit up the Events page, and check out the RSVP’s for the show in question. While they are not 100% reliable as not everyone is always going to RSVP to every event, they often can give you a general sense of the turnout and hype around each show.

Michael Jackon’s Filler.

Phyllis Filler.

Fillery Clinton

A short Asian man turns and points at a rampaging beast, “Godfilla!”

Nabisco Filla Wafers

Mack Filler

Lil’ Fill (just imagine this post has its shirt off 20 seconds into the first song).

Filly Odd Parents

Your guess is as good as mine, man. That bitch is SMOKIN’ hot. (Don’t kill me baby, I needed content for more test frames)