Long-running California punk outfit the Dickies have caused quite a stir in the community of people who pay attention to the Warped Tour. Earlier this week, the band's Leonard Grave Phillips launched into a disgusting onstage rant at a young woman in the crowd. The verbal attack prompted an op-ed from War on Women's Shawna Potter, and now Warped founder Kevin Lyman has weighed in on the controversy.
Lyman doesn't explicitly take anyone's side in the letter, though he does suggest that Phillips was provoked by a woman in the crowd who was holding a sign. As he points out, the woman was not a fan but a fellow Warped Tour band member.
As Potter wrote in Noisey, the sign said, "Teen girls deserve respect, not gross jokes from disgusting old men! Punk shouldn't be predatory!" It was in response to Phillips' habit of cracking jokes about having sex with underage concertgoers throughout the tour.
Lyman writes that he hopes future Warped disagreements can be handled through him rather than via onstage rants and signs. Read his full statement below [via Alternative Press].
Dear Music Community,
I thought it was time to put the facts out since I have watched false information floating around. A video has been circulating of a confrontation between Leonard from the Dickies and a Fan.
Fact- it was not a Fan, but a member of the touring party.
The member of the touring party was standing next to the PA with a sign protesting some of the things they found offensive about the bands jokes, and props on stage. During one of the last songs they went towards the barricade and directed the sign at the band.
After a verbal barrage from Leonard, the member of the touring party threw the sign at Leonard, and left the area. I do not condone verbal or physical violence, whatsoever.
The Dickies, last day of the tour was that Sunday, which had always been scheduled.
These are the facts of what took place and this is why I ask anyone who has an issue with anyone else on tour, to come sit under my tent with me and express their views diplomatically. On this years tour we have many people who may not agree with each other, but as humans we should be able to express our points of view in a civil manner.
If we have any hope to progress as a society, communication will be key in moving forward.
Regards,
Kevin Lyman
Lyman doesn't explicitly take anyone's side in the letter, though he does suggest that Phillips was provoked by a woman in the crowd who was holding a sign. As he points out, the woman was not a fan but a fellow Warped Tour band member.
As Potter wrote in Noisey, the sign said, "Teen girls deserve respect, not gross jokes from disgusting old men! Punk shouldn't be predatory!" It was in response to Phillips' habit of cracking jokes about having sex with underage concertgoers throughout the tour.
Lyman writes that he hopes future Warped disagreements can be handled through him rather than via onstage rants and signs. Read his full statement below [via Alternative Press].
Dear Music Community,
I thought it was time to put the facts out since I have watched false information floating around. A video has been circulating of a confrontation between Leonard from the Dickies and a Fan.
Fact- it was not a Fan, but a member of the touring party.
The member of the touring party was standing next to the PA with a sign protesting some of the things they found offensive about the bands jokes, and props on stage. During one of the last songs they went towards the barricade and directed the sign at the band.
After a verbal barrage from Leonard, the member of the touring party threw the sign at Leonard, and left the area. I do not condone verbal or physical violence, whatsoever.
The Dickies, last day of the tour was that Sunday, which had always been scheduled.
These are the facts of what took place and this is why I ask anyone who has an issue with anyone else on tour, to come sit under my tent with me and express their views diplomatically. On this years tour we have many people who may not agree with each other, but as humans we should be able to express our points of view in a civil manner.
If we have any hope to progress as a society, communication will be key in moving forward.
Regards,
Kevin Lyman
