“Performing at the rally Pauline Hanson spoke at I have aligned myself with racism. I am truly and deeply sorry for this.” Anty Horgan The Bennies.
This weekend on Australia’s Gold Coast, thousands of protesters took to the streets to attend the ‘Millions March’ vaccine protest. Among these protesters was guest of honour Pauline Hanson, leader of Australia’s far-right, nationalist party ‘One Nation’. Opening the stage was the frontman of ‘psychedelic reggae ska doom metal punk rock from hell’ outfit, The Bennies. To punk fans all over Australia, something didn’t add up.
Pauline Hanson and One Nation have become well-known for their controversial, far-right, and often unapologetically racist ideologies in Australia. Q-Anon, Trump and apartheid-era South African flags were all on display as Anty Horgan took to the stage.
Shortly after the initial reports, Horgan issued a statement to his Instagram, noting that he was unhappy about recent laws imposed by the government, before going on to condemn Hanson.
‘After some discourse this morning, it is really obvious to me that I have upset a large portion of people.’ he said. ‘In performing at the rally Pauline Hanson spoke at I have aligned myself with racism. I am truly and deeply sorry for this.’
After that, he continued ‘I understand that it is a shit thing to come from a privileged white male. In the future, I am going to do better at using my position to spread love to all peoples’.
In addition, Horgan asked fans to not take the ‘stupidity’ of his decision out on the other members of The Bennies, stating ‘they had no idea’ he would be attending.
At the time of publication, The Bennies were yet to issue a statement.
If you enjoyed this, you will love…
- It Ain’t No Joke – Jaz Coleman is made a Doctor!
- Sydney-based pop-punk band Bellwether has just revealed its frenzied new cut.
- NYC Punks, Pass Away, Release Their Stonkingly Good Semaphore LP
- ‘Don’t be an A-hole this Christmas, Just Be Nice’ Says MxPx!
- Outgoing German Chancellor, Angela Merkel chooses Nina Hagen song for her retirement ceremony
- Punk fan trolls U.S. right-wing radio show by namedropping punk bands
- Sold Out Amyl And The Sniffers Berlin Show Cancelled.
- Take a Gander At South Korean Punks Smoking Goose
- Malcolm McLaren and Vivienne Westwood’s son accused of faking his burning of £5 million worth of punk memorabilia.
- Jimmy Eat World drop final instalment of the Phoenix Sessions
- Bad Religion Reschedule Last Three Dates of Tour After Member Contracts COVID
- Punk Rock Legend Henry Rollins Lists His L.A. Home
- Yellowcard Celebrate 20 Years of ‘One For The Kids’
- Metz’ Tour Equipment Stolen While On The Road
Bristol-born U.K. expat living in Brisbane, Australia. Music enthusiast and graduate, guitar shredder, and crowd-surfer. When I’m not writing about punk, I’m talking about wine.
Did you know that we are 100% DIY? We run our own game. No one dictates to us, and no one drives what we can or cannot put on our pages – and this is how we plan to continue!
