Music

Ben Weasel apologizes for SXSW violence while bands continue to drop off of Weasel Fest

by Nicole Villeneuve

Shortly after Friday night’s controversial Screeching Weasel show at SXSW, where frontman Ben Weasel grew aggravated at the crowd and got into altercations with two women in attendance, the band cancelled its next-day San Antonio show. In contrast to his previous unapologetic anti-SXSW rantings, on Sunday, Weasel issued an apology via his website. The apology, both detail specific and slightly vague, reads:

I want to apologize to both the club owner and audience member involved for my actions during our show at SXSW on Friday night. While their actions were outside of my control, my regretful reaction is wholly my responsibility. Whatever my feelings are about fans crossing the line like that, I wish I could have that moment back and deal with it in the same spirit as I did the preceding 60 minutes. Since I can’t, an apology is all I’ve got and I sincerely hope those people will accept it. Up front, I wish to say that I am sorry to the fan and any others who were involved. As a husband, father, and a musician on the public stage, I understand that it is my duty to always take responsibility for my actions in a socially acceptable way, and most especially in the face of confrontation.

I want to apologize to the San Antonio fans, also, for having to cancel that show. I hope we can make it up down the road. I’ve obviously already talked to my band about it but I also want to publicly apologize for putting them in a bad position, as well as my manager, booking agent, label, and the support bands. My actions were unprofessional and unfair to the people I work with.

The incident has now also caused bands to start dropping off of the band’s 25th anniversary show slated for late May. The three-day Weasel Fest, happening in the band’s hometown Chicago, has so far lost Chinese Telephones, The Soviettes, and current labelmates Teenage Bottlerocket and Chixdiggit, according to Exclaim!. Screeching Weasel’s newest album, their first in over ten years, was released on the label one week ago today. Label founder and NOFX frontman Fat Mike has also tweeted his disappointment over Weasel’s actions, though Alternative Press reported that the label had not had contact with the band since the incident and will not be releasing a statement.