Warning: Video contains strong language and heavy-handed douchebaggery.
At least Gabe Saporta and I can agree on something: our distaste for "fratboy-looking ignorant schmucks."
That being said, it's hard to watch footage of last Wednesday's Cobra Starship show (where Saporta flies off the handle at hecklers and says some truly uninspired and angry stuff) and not cringe. It makes me sad to see the man behind Midtown come to this. The music, not the anger. As for the anger, I'd like to share my own story about Gabe that reflects this incident.
Ten years ago, I went to my first concert accompanied by my dad, who never joined me at another show again following the madness that ensued that night. I went for the headliner, Reel Big Fish, and for the secondary opening band, Catch 22, but lo and behold, the opening act was the upstart Midtown, just beginning their roller coaster ride to underground pop-punk fame with the release of Save the World, Lose the Girl. Some jacked kid in the crowd (who obviously thought ska-core was the most badass genre on the planet) threw something at a young, uber-skinny Gabe during Midtown's set. Saporta proceeded to lash out at the guy over the microphone, was hit with something yet again, and jumped into the crowd, only to be reeled back in by a nervous-looking bouncer. Saporta then promised to meet this scary guy in the parking lot after the show, where I guessed either no one ever showed up or Saporta was pounded into a bloody pulp.
Nevertheless, this experience left me with a sullied opinion of Mr. Saporta, one that he has clearly demonstrated to be a pretty accurate read. The guy's a hothead.
In his own blog, Gabe comments on the Kansas City outburst. "But I’m not gonna tolerate someone coming to our show and trying to ruin it for us, and more importantly, for the kids who paid good money to have an enjoyable experience." These hecklers, who were apparently "giving [Gabe] the finger," weren't the ones who ruined the show for the kids who paid good money. You're a musician, man, and you play really, really poppy music. That's your decision and I respect it, but you have to accept that there are people out there who don't.
I can't even comment on half of the other shit he says in his blog post. Be a man and apologize to your fans. Five or six kids giving the finger weren't ruining the show for anyone but you, so swallow your pride. After all Gabe, it's just rock and roll, right?
"Hey, it's just rock and roll / even though you might think you lost it all."
- Gabe Saporta, "Just Rock & Roll"
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