Travis McCoy, lead singer for hip-hop/pop punkers Gym Class Heroes was arrested at the St. Louis stop of the Warped Tour this past Tuesday (July 1). The incident leading to the arrest began just one song into the band's set when, according to the band's management, somebody in the crowd called McCoy a "fucking ignorant nigger."
The band's manager Bob McLynn, gave a statement about the incident, saying:
Somebody in the crowd was taunting Travis with racial slurs. Travis invited him onstage with the intent of calling him out in front of the crowd, with absolutely no intention of a physical altercation. When he tried to help him onstage, the guy hit Travis in the knee area (which has been in a brace because of a recent sprain), forcing Travis to defend himself.
At this point, a scuffle broke out. This whole incident is unfortunate. Travis McCoy and Gym Class Heroes are anything but violent. Their message is about racial unity and having a good time. It's amazing that in 2008 there are still people out there that would say such ignorant things..
Pete Wentz, who runs the band's label, Decaydance Records, issued a statement yesterday, stating:
You know what? You call my friend a "n_gger", I dont even give a fuck what happens to you. I dont want to see you in this scene. I dont want to see you at shows. You are who we write songs about. You are who we think about when we hate. Radiohead, "Karma Police" over and over again in my head. What a joke. You are fucking pathetic and anyone that disagrees should put their white hood on too. I don't want your ticket money. I don't want your cd sales. I'd rather be poor and unknown. I am angrier than I have been in a long time. Hate upon hate upon hate..
Gym Class Heroes were on Warped Tour in support of their upcoming album, The Quilt. They most recently released As Cruel as School Children in 2006.
The band's manager Bob McLynn, gave a statement about the incident, saying:
Somebody in the crowd was taunting Travis with racial slurs. Travis invited him onstage with the intent of calling him out in front of the crowd, with absolutely no intention of a physical altercation. When he tried to help him onstage, the guy hit Travis in the knee area (which has been in a brace because of a recent sprain), forcing Travis to defend himself.
At this point, a scuffle broke out. This whole incident is unfortunate. Travis McCoy and Gym Class Heroes are anything but violent. Their message is about racial unity and having a good time. It's amazing that in 2008 there are still people out there that would say such ignorant things..
Pete Wentz, who runs the band's label, Decaydance Records, issued a statement yesterday, stating:
You know what? You call my friend a "n_gger", I dont even give a fuck what happens to you. I dont want to see you in this scene. I dont want to see you at shows. You are who we write songs about. You are who we think about when we hate. Radiohead, "Karma Police" over and over again in my head. What a joke. You are fucking pathetic and anyone that disagrees should put their white hood on too. I don't want your ticket money. I don't want your cd sales. I'd rather be poor and unknown. I am angrier than I have been in a long time. Hate upon hate upon hate..
Gym Class Heroes were on Warped Tour in support of their upcoming album, The Quilt. They most recently released As Cruel as School Children in 2006.