How much does artistic license justify controversial decisions? And how far is too far?
That’s the central question that’s hovering over an incident in which a Melbourne band with a less-than female-friendly name had their gig cancelled and re-branded following the public backlash.
Melbourne two-piece, The Prostitute Killers, were scheduled to play Thornbury venue Tago Mago this Saturday, but management cancelled the band’s booking after pressure from locals protesting to the band’s “offensive” and ‘misogynistic” moniker.
“It’s just been drawn to our attention that a band with a particularly offensive name had been booked to play at our venue,” wrote the northside venue’s management on a (since removed) Facebook post yesterday announcing the gig cancellation.
“Tago Mago prides itself as a friendly, welcoming inclusive venue which supports local musicians and punters. We will never condone misogynist behaviour or band names,” the statement continued, offering the venue’s “sincerest apologies”.
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The band reportedly removed their Facebook page on Tuesday night and the duo’s Triple J Unearthed account has been deleted but with their listing altered to the less-controversial moniker, The PK Team.
But the garage punk twosome have now come forward with a formal apology. “We do not condone violence of any sort to anyone,” the band wrote in a statement issued on their new Facebook account, listed as ‘New Name Undecided’.
“We would like to offer a formal apology to the large community of people who has taken offense to the band name ‘The Prostitute Killers’,” they continue. “The band has decided to change their name in light of the current situation.”
The band formerly known as The Prostitute Killers also concede that Tago Mago’s cancellation was “entirely understandable due to the pressure put on the venue by a select group of people,” adding that “the band experienced the full brunt of this group in the form of threats on our personal safety.” Read the full statement below.
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The incident has continued to spark debate on social media; a number of commenters on the band’s Facebook have questioned whether it was a case of censorship gone mad and an indictment on freedom of speech. Similarly Cherry Bar co-owner James Young has said “this topic deserves healthy debate,” prompting as much over on his own venue’s social media account.
“Personally, I don’t think I’d like The Prostitute Killers playing at my venues BUT I’ve let China Vagina and Vice Grip Pussies play at Cherry and it could be argued that these are names in poor taste that promote sexism?!!” Young writes. “Censorship, political correctness, freedom of expression, art, punk rock, protection against sexism, where does one draw the line?”
‘The PK Team’ Full Apology
We would like to offer a formal apology to the large community of people who has taken offense to the band name ‘The Prostitute Killers’.
We do not condone violence of any sort to anyone.
There have been many reasonable and understandable points raised in the last few days which have covered a range of issues including misogyny, sex work, censorship, violence as well as a myriad of other subjects.
There was no animosity meant behind the stage name, although we realise the emotional implications for some people that have been associated with it. We would like to apologise to these people in particular.
The band has decided to change their name in light of the current situation.
We hope the media attention is able to highlight the dangers associated with sex workers on a daily basis.
The reaction of Tago Mago pulling the band from the bill is entirely understandable due to the pressure put on the venue by a select group of people. The band experienced the full brunt of this group in the form of threats on our personal safety.
To this day the band has never had a proactive response from a venue to pull them from a bill for any reason.
The name ‘The Prostitute Killers’ was not intended to have inflections on females.
We hope the international publicity received from this situation impacts positively on the thriving Melbourne live music scene and all associated parties.
