[youtube]http://youtu.be/LalVmgtcK-U[/youtube]
We’re not familiar with Joyce Manor, nor should we be. The punk band recently played 1904 Music Hall in Jacksonville, FL, and when an audience member did what people do at punk rock shows and stage dove, the band stopped their set. Singer/guitarist Barry Johnson pulled the guy up on stage, then publicly shamed him in front of the audience. “Hey man, how tall are you?” he asked him. “How much do you weigh, if you don’t mind me asking?” When he replied that he weighed 190 pounds, he pointed to a girl at the front of the stage, asked her how much she weighed, and said “It’s completely unacceptable for him to impose himself on top of you. Under no circumstance is that acceptable.” He then let the guy go back after asking him to not do that again. (go to about 1:00 to see it).
Since then, Johnson has taken to Twitter to defend his actions. “Seeing a lot of people online saying I’m a “pussy” and a “bitch” for calling out that grown man trying to crush a group of teenage girls,” he tweeted. “So far on this tour I’ve seen a girl with a black eye, a girl with a concussion, and a girl with a dislocated knee… Great way to make young women feel safe at a a show when the rest of the fucking world is hostile towards them already. I love a crazy show as much as any1 else I just don’t think any1 should have to go 2 the hospital cuz of sum idiot w a tank top & Moz hair.”
Okay, so one one hand, it’s commendable that Johnson would stand up for his fans, but Joyce Manor is a punk band. If you’re going to play uptempo music at a relatively small venue, you’d almost have to expect that some stage diving might occur. And if you don’t want to be privy to it, you don’t have to be. Anyone that goes to a punk, hardcore or metal show that wants to get close to the band knows by now that they run the risk of potentially getting injured. Most venues have security guards to ensure that no one gets hurt. Also, Johnson is somewhat sexist in making his argument about girls. There are plenty of guys that go to shows that are smaller as well. If someone pays good money to see one of their favorite bands, within reason, they should be allowed to express themselves, and if not purposely trying to injure someone, doesn’t deserve to be publicly shamed.
[via AltPress]
