t
a tribute show for late Pantera guitarist ‘Dimebag’ Darrell Abbott,
Anselmo was seen on stage giving a Nazi salute and shouting “white
power”. Anselmo later insisted that this was an in-joke about bands
being served white wine backstage. But this has been disputed by others –
particularly Machine Head’s Robb Flynn – and it isn’t the first time
the musician has been accused of racism.
Anthrax’s Scott Ian has also strongly condemned Anselmo’s actions, calling on him to make a donation to the Simon Wiesenthal Center, which works to fight anti-Semitism, in order to show the strength of his eventual apology.
Having been a matter of much debate over the last week, the incident has now begun to have a knock on effect commercially, with Anselmo’s band Down dropped from the line-up of Dutch festival FortaRock. In a statement, organisers said: “There has been close consultation between all parties in recent days, since we wanted to make a well informed decision. On that basis, the decision is made to cancel [Down’s performance]. We want to make clear that there is no room for racism or fascism on FortaRock”.
In the wake of this, Anselmo issued a new apology on his website, saying: “I am utterly responsible for the mistakes I have made, and can only give you my word to no longer do them in the present, through ACTION, not just mere words … My biggest obstacle(s) are the over-indulging in the booze and blurting out spiteful, ignorant reductions of the human spirit itself. I will address these issues, head-on. I’m repulsed by my own actions, and the self-loathing I’m going through right now is justified by the hurt I’ve caused”.
As for the effect this was now having on the other members of Down, he said: “My bandmates are now experiencing the consequences of my behaviour, and I now publicly apologise to them as well. Never in my entire lifetime would I drag them down with me, and I’ve privately suggested to them that they move on without me”.
The band have not responded directly, though guitarist Pepper Keenan said in a lengthy update on Facebook yesterday that, while he was “saddened and confused” by Anselmo’s behaviour last week, he hoped that “at this moment in time Phil will focus his energy on self-reflection and begin the process of regaining perspective, healing himself and those lives he has touched through music”.
- See more at: http://www.completemusicupdate.com/article/phil-anselmo-offers-to-quit-down-following-racism-row/#sthash.rzDMiOPW.dpuf
Anthrax’s Scott Ian has also strongly condemned Anselmo’s actions, calling on him to make a donation to the Simon Wiesenthal Center, which works to fight anti-Semitism, in order to show the strength of his eventual apology.
Having been a matter of much debate over the last week, the incident has now begun to have a knock on effect commercially, with Anselmo’s band Down dropped from the line-up of Dutch festival FortaRock. In a statement, organisers said: “There has been close consultation between all parties in recent days, since we wanted to make a well informed decision. On that basis, the decision is made to cancel [Down’s performance]. We want to make clear that there is no room for racism or fascism on FortaRock”.
In the wake of this, Anselmo issued a new apology on his website, saying: “I am utterly responsible for the mistakes I have made, and can only give you my word to no longer do them in the present, through ACTION, not just mere words … My biggest obstacle(s) are the over-indulging in the booze and blurting out spiteful, ignorant reductions of the human spirit itself. I will address these issues, head-on. I’m repulsed by my own actions, and the self-loathing I’m going through right now is justified by the hurt I’ve caused”.
As for the effect this was now having on the other members of Down, he said: “My bandmates are now experiencing the consequences of my behaviour, and I now publicly apologise to them as well. Never in my entire lifetime would I drag them down with me, and I’ve privately suggested to them that they move on without me”.
The band have not responded directly, though guitarist Pepper Keenan said in a lengthy update on Facebook yesterday that, while he was “saddened and confused” by Anselmo’s behaviour last week, he hoped that “at this moment in time Phil will focus his energy on self-reflection and begin the process of regaining perspective, healing himself and those lives he has touched through music”.
- See more at: http://www.completemusicupdate.com/article/phil-anselmo-offers-to-quit-down-following-racism-row/#sthash.rzDMiOPW.dpuf
Anselmo had concluded a gig in Los Angeles on 22 January by giving a straight-armed salute and shouting “White power”,
which he initially claimed was a reference to the white wine being
served backstage. As it became apparent that many of his metal
contemporaries were publicly condemning him, he altered his tone.
I am utterly responsible for the mistakes I have made, and can only
give you my word to no longer do them in the present, through ACTION,
not just mere words.
My bandmates are now experiencing the consequences of my behavior, and I now publicly apologise to them as well. Never in my entire lifetime would I drag them down with me, and I’ve privately suggested to them that they move on without me.
My biggest obstacle(s) are the over-indulging in the booze and blurting out spiteful, ignorant reductions of the human spirit itself. I will address these issues head-on.
I’m repulsed by my own actions, and the self-loathing I’m going through right now is justified by the hurt I’ve caused.
I realise we live in a society where apologies are NOT accepted easily, yet long for a day when they can be, but I also understand if I’m shunned till I hit the dirt.
From the bottom of my heart, and with all sincerity, I once again am truly sorry for the pain I have caused.”
His Down bandmate Pepper Keenan took to Facebook to address Anselmo’s actions.
“I
am saddened and confused by the behavior of Philip Anselmo last week. I
do not condone what was gestured and said. This lapse in judgment of
‘making a joke’ was in terribly poor taste and unacceptable,” he wrote.
“I won’t speak for Phil but I’ve known him most of my life and I know
there is not hate in his heart, however I hope at this moment in time
Phil will focus his energy on self-reflection and begin the process of
regaining perspective, healing himself and those lives he has touched
through music …
“One of the responsibilities and joys, in my opinion, of being an
artist or musician is having the ability to help make the world a better
place. I accept Phil’s apology, and I believe he can.”
However, Anselmo’s actions continue to have consequences. The
FortaRock festival in the Netherlands has cancelled Down’s appearance,
saying: “We want to make clear that there is no room for racism or
fascism on FortaRock.” And a home-town concert in New Orleans has been cancelled by the organisers, who said: “We do not tolerate intolerant behaviour, and there is no room for that in our venue or our city.”
he band h
t
a tribute show for late Pantera guitarist ‘Dimebag’ Darrell Abbott,
Anselmo was seen on stage giving a Nazi salute and shouting “white
power”. Anselmo later insisted that this was an in-joke about bands
being served white wine backstage. But this has been disputed by others –
particularly Machine Head’s Robb Flynn – and it isn’t the first time
the musician has been accused of racism.
Anthrax’s Scott Ian has also strongly condemned Anselmo’s actions, calling on him to make a donation to the Simon Wiesenthal Center, which works to fight anti-Semitism, in order to show the strength of his eventual apology.
Having been a matter of much debate over the last week, the incident has now begun to have a knock on effect commercially, with Anselmo’s band Down dropped from the line-up of Dutch festival FortaRock. In a statement, organisers said: “There has been close consultation between all parties in recent days, since we wanted to make a well informed decision. On that basis, the decision is made to cancel [Down’s performance]. We want to make clear that there is no room for racism or fascism on FortaRock”.
In the wake of this, Anselmo issued a new apology on his website, saying: “I am utterly responsible for the mistakes I have made, and can only give you my word to no longer do them in the present, through ACTION, not just mere words … My biggest obstacle(s) are the over-indulging in the booze and blurting out spiteful, ignorant reductions of the human spirit itself. I will address these issues, head-on. I’m repulsed by my own actions, and the self-loathing I’m going through right now is justified by the hurt I’ve caused”.
As for the effect this was now having on the other members of Down, he said: “My bandmates are now experiencing the consequences of my behaviour, and I now publicly apologise to them as well. Never in my entire lifetime would I drag them down with me, and I’ve privately suggested to them that they move on without me”.
The band have not responded directly, though guitarist Pepper Keenan said in a lengthy update on Facebook yesterday that, while he was “saddened and confused” by Anselmo’s behaviour last week, he hoped that “at this moment in time Phil will focus his energy on self-reflection and begin the process of regaining perspective, healing himself and those lives he has touched through music”.
- See more at: http://www.completemusicupdate.com/article/phil-anselmo-offers-to-quit-down-following-racism-row/#sthash.rzDMiOPW.dpuf
Anthrax’s Scott Ian has also strongly condemned Anselmo’s actions, calling on him to make a donation to the Simon Wiesenthal Center, which works to fight anti-Semitism, in order to show the strength of his eventual apology.
Having been a matter of much debate over the last week, the incident has now begun to have a knock on effect commercially, with Anselmo’s band Down dropped from the line-up of Dutch festival FortaRock. In a statement, organisers said: “There has been close consultation between all parties in recent days, since we wanted to make a well informed decision. On that basis, the decision is made to cancel [Down’s performance]. We want to make clear that there is no room for racism or fascism on FortaRock”.
In the wake of this, Anselmo issued a new apology on his website, saying: “I am utterly responsible for the mistakes I have made, and can only give you my word to no longer do them in the present, through ACTION, not just mere words … My biggest obstacle(s) are the over-indulging in the booze and blurting out spiteful, ignorant reductions of the human spirit itself. I will address these issues, head-on. I’m repulsed by my own actions, and the self-loathing I’m going through right now is justified by the hurt I’ve caused”.
As for the effect this was now having on the other members of Down, he said: “My bandmates are now experiencing the consequences of my behaviour, and I now publicly apologise to them as well. Never in my entire lifetime would I drag them down with me, and I’ve privately suggested to them that they move on without me”.
The band have not responded directly, though guitarist Pepper Keenan said in a lengthy update on Facebook yesterday that, while he was “saddened and confused” by Anselmo’s behaviour last week, he hoped that “at this moment in time Phil will focus his energy on self-reflection and begin the process of regaining perspective, healing himself and those lives he has touched through music”.
- See more at: http://www.completemusicupdate.com/article/phil-anselmo-offers-to-quit-down-following-racism-row/#sthash.rzDMiOPW.dpuf
t
a tribute show for late Pantera guitarist ‘Dimebag’ Darrell Abbott,
Anselmo was seen on stage giving a Nazi salute and shouting “white
power”. Anselmo later insisted that this was an in-joke about bands
being served white wine backstage. But this has been disputed by others –
particularly Machine Head’s Robb Flynn – and it isn’t the first time
the musician has been accused of racism.
Anthrax’s Scott Ian has also strongly condemned Anselmo’s actions, calling on him to make a donation to the Simon Wiesenthal Center, which works to fight anti-Semitism, in order to show the strength of his eventual apology.
Having been a matter of much debate over the last week, the incident has now begun to have a knock on effect commercially, with Anselmo’s band Down dropped from the line-up of Dutch festival FortaRock. In a statement, organisers said: “There has been close consultation between all parties in recent days, since we wanted to make a well informed decision. On that basis, the decision is made to cancel [Down’s performance]. We want to make clear that there is no room for racism or fascism on FortaRock”.
In the wake of this, Anselmo issued a new apology on his website, saying: “I am utterly responsible for the mistakes I have made, and can only give you my word to no longer do them in the present, through ACTION, not just mere words … My biggest obstacle(s) are the over-indulging in the booze and blurting out spiteful, ignorant reductions of the human spirit itself. I will address these issues, head-on. I’m repulsed by my own actions, and the self-loathing I’m going through right now is justified by the hurt I’ve caused”.
As for the effect this was now having on the other members of Down, he said: “My bandmates are now experiencing the consequences of my behaviour, and I now publicly apologise to them as well. Never in my entire lifetime would I drag them down with me, and I’ve privately suggested to them that they move on without me”.
The band have not responded directly, though guitarist Pepper Keenan said in a lengthy update on Facebook yesterday that, while he was “saddened and confused” by Anselmo’s behaviour last week, he hoped that “at this moment in time Phil will focus his energy on self-reflection and begin the process of regaining perspective, healing himself and those lives he has touched through music”.
- See more at: http://www.completemusicupdate.com/article/phil-anselmo-offers-to-quit-down-following-racism-row/#sthash.rzDMiOPW.dpuf
Anthrax’s Scott Ian has also strongly condemned Anselmo’s actions, calling on him to make a donation to the Simon Wiesenthal Center, which works to fight anti-Semitism, in order to show the strength of his eventual apology.
Having been a matter of much debate over the last week, the incident has now begun to have a knock on effect commercially, with Anselmo’s band Down dropped from the line-up of Dutch festival FortaRock. In a statement, organisers said: “There has been close consultation between all parties in recent days, since we wanted to make a well informed decision. On that basis, the decision is made to cancel [Down’s performance]. We want to make clear that there is no room for racism or fascism on FortaRock”.
In the wake of this, Anselmo issued a new apology on his website, saying: “I am utterly responsible for the mistakes I have made, and can only give you my word to no longer do them in the present, through ACTION, not just mere words … My biggest obstacle(s) are the over-indulging in the booze and blurting out spiteful, ignorant reductions of the human spirit itself. I will address these issues, head-on. I’m repulsed by my own actions, and the self-loathing I’m going through right now is justified by the hurt I’ve caused”.
As for the effect this was now having on the other members of Down, he said: “My bandmates are now experiencing the consequences of my behaviour, and I now publicly apologise to them as well. Never in my entire lifetime would I drag them down with me, and I’ve privately suggested to them that they move on without me”.
The band have not responded directly, though guitarist Pepper Keenan said in a lengthy update on Facebook yesterday that, while he was “saddened and confused” by Anselmo’s behaviour last week, he hoped that “at this moment in time Phil will focus his energy on self-reflection and begin the process of regaining perspective, healing himself and those lives he has touched through music”.
- See more at: http://www.completemusicupdate.com/article/phil-anselmo-offers-to-quit-down-following-racism-row/#sthash.rzDMiOPW.dpuf