Baltimore hardcore band End It sparked a chaotic scene during their June 5 show in Toronto, Ontario, after encouraging the audience to physically dismantle a concertgoer’s banana costume.
The incident occurred while the group was sharing the bill alongside Terror, Pain Of Truth, and Start Today. During their set, End It vocalist Akil Godsey halted the performance to single out the peculiarly dressed audience member.
Expressing his clear disapproval of the novelty attire, the frontman effectively placed a bounty on the fan, offering up the band’s physical setlist as a reward to anyone who would rip the costume to shreds.
“We’re just gonna address, it, do you want to this now, or later?… Banana man, what the f**k is you doing my n**ga?” Godsey asked from the stage.
When a section of the crowd began to cheer at the mention of the fan’s outfit, Godsey quickly shut down the positive reaction.
“No, no, no, no, no, you don’t get rewarded for doing that s**t. He wanted the attention, and now he has it,” the vocalist stated.
The band’s bassist then chimed in over the microphone, adding: “And now, everyone here has to kill you.”
Godsey then said: “And now, if you strip the banana, you get this lovely setlist. I’m just saying, he was asking for attention, now you got it.”
Unsurprisingly, the hardcore crowd immediately obliged. Attendees in close proximity to the fan reacted violently, swarming the individual and clawing at the outfit until it was completely destroyed in the resulting melee. Video footage of the incident surfaced online, showing the top of the costume being tossed around above the pit while other fans proudly clutched ripped fragments of the yellow suit.
The fan, who apparently has a history of attending concerts in the novelty attire, took to his Instagram story later that night to document the aftermath.
After initially posting a message captioned “Rip suit 3”, he shared a much longer, unbroken statement expressing his deep frustration with the band’s actions and the overall message it sent to the community.
“People have been trying to dim my sparkle my entire life. It sucks, but I’m used to it. I’ve surfered hundreds of people in this suit, all genders, all ages, safely. Especially, a lot of first timers that felt safe to approach me for their first surf.”
“@enditbaltmore two of your band members crossed the line…and I’m obligated to speak on it.”
“F**k the police? While, policing what people wear? Take off, hoser.”
“The message last night; Conform or get called out, exactly the opposite of what Hardcore is supposed to be.”
“I was an unwilling participant, attacked and clothing removed at the direction of a band I paid to see… What would you do?”
Neither the band nor the local promoters have issued any further public statements regarding the altercation.
