London noise rockers The Big Pink have explained why they assaulted a fan during a recent Stateside visit.
The Big Pink aren’t renowned for taking prisoners. Veterans of noisenik Alec Empire’s group, the pair’s shows frequently descend into squalling noise testing the patience of audiences with blaring feedback.
However the group have never resorted to violence. Touring across the United States recently, singer Robbie Furze was goaded into a fight by an audience member.
The notorious incident took place in Atlanta’s Masquerade venue on April 3rd. Speaking to the NME, Furze explained that he was continually goaded by the fan throughout the gig.
Footage of the incident has been played online, with The Big Pink singer claiming that it was the first time he had punched anyone in his life. “I’ve never hit anybody in my life. This guy was just ruining it for everyone. It actually looks like I hit him harder than I did,” he said.
“I said to him to come onstage and say what he was saying to me from the crowd, and then when he was coming round to the stage I just thought I didn’t really have a chance. What else was I gonna do? I wasn’t going to have a chat with him.”
Continuing, Robbie Furze claimed that he considered using his guitar against the fan. “So I thought well it was either my fist or my guitar, and I thought ‘Well I don’t wanna damage my guitar’.”
No legal action has been brought against the singer.
Meanwhile, The Big Pink recently revealed that they have begun work on a potential follow up to debut album ‘A Brief History Of Love’. Speaking to BBC 6Music, the duo claimed that they are planning to return to New York’s Electric Lady studios to work on new material later this year.
