Northlane have taken a stand against a notorious venue security guard, who allegedly assaulted several punters during one of the band’s recent performances. The guard’s behaviour forced the band to stop their set at The Talking Heads in Southampton, UK.
“Southampton, apologies about stopping our set,” guitarist Josh Smith wrote on Facebook. “I left the stage and interjected when I saw the head of security for the venue throw a kid that was crowdsuring [sic] up against the wall by the throat and rough him up.”
“During this incident he threatened to end the show for all of you guys. Further claims of other incidents of abuse came up at the end of the show from fans that were leaving, even one with a bleeding nose claiming he’d been punched in the face by a security guard.”
“The security also intimidated, threatened and insulted us, members of other bands on the tour, some of our crew and our friends after the show,” Smith continued. “They attempted to start a physical altercation with Gus from Volumes.”
“We have also been told the guard that was involved in the initial abuse even has a Facebook page that’s been made for people to speak up against him, a repeat offender of violence against people he’s being paid protect in an environment where he can get away with it.”
Smith concluded by claiming that the band are pursuing action against the guard who was the main instigator of the violence. “We won’t stand for this shit and I won’t let it pass. Action is being taken as far as we can against the guard in question,” he wrote.
James Tuckey, who was apparently the victim that prompted Northlane to pause their set, then left his own account of events, explaining that he was singled out by a security guard and dragged down whilst crowd surfing.
Southampton, apologies about stopping our set. I left the stage and interjected when I saw the head of security for the…
Posted by Northlane onFriday, October 9, 2015
“I’m sorry for having you guys stop the set… I literally crowd surfed and came down to the bald member of security dragging me by the throat and the scruff of my tshirt and shoving me against the wall. I have visible marks around my neck,” wrote Tuckey.
“Also first hand witnessed same member of security attempt to start an altercation with multiple members of the tour package, even shoving Gus Farias and telling him ‘get back on your pretty little tour bus’… How is this guy employed?!”
Tuckey received support from the band, who wrote back, “Don’t apologize, we are with you.” More allegations against the unidentified guard soon followed, with many giving accounts of the altercation between the guard and Gus Farias of Volumes.
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“That same bouncer shouted at mate of mine that he was ‘gunna knock you the fuck out’ after he shivved [sic] him as he was making his way through the crowd just before the show was stopped,” one commenter recounted.
“The guy was clearly looking for trouble that night. Talking Heads need to have a serious rethink of the ‘professionals’ they are hiring to do their door work as shit like this isn’t acceptable.”
“The same ‘security’ guard slammed past me and for no reason got in my face and said ‘If you bump into me again i’ll fucking knock you out,'” another commenter alleged. It’s not yet clear what “action” is being pursued against the guard.
