While we’ve been on the Vans Warped Tour for the last couple of months, I’ve been shocked to find out how many kids actually think it’s okay to steal from a band. I’m not talking about downloading a record. Obviously, with the amount of illegal downloading that goes on, I’m sure that some will argue that downloading isn’t stealing. No, I am talking about straight up stealing — being a sneaky little rat and stealing directly from a band.
Throughout the nine years we’ve been a band, we’ve dealt with maybe three “fan thieves.” Those aren’t bad odds. With the amount of shows we play, we understand that it will happen every once in a while, but this tour has really shown me that there are a lot of fans that just don’t give a fuck about bands.
One of the first incidents on the tour was with another hardcore band. Their merch girl told me two guys tried to steal a CD from her table. When she confronted them their reply was, “What? We are stealing from the band, not you.”
Are you kidding me? Who do you think she works for? The band! Who are you here to watch play live? The band! Whose music do you like? The band! Jesus man, the CD is only $10!!! If you honestly don’t have the money, then talk to the band about it. I’m sure they will work something out with you. Or here’s an idea. Borrow or bum $10 from any of the thousands of people that are attending the show! Give me a break.
I’ve always felt that hardcore/punk rock was a world of it’s own — a place to step away from society — and that anyone participating in this unique way of life makes up a part of that community. People like this and problems like these are the kind of things that build up walls and divide communities.
The bottom line is that there is absolutely no way to justify stealing from a band’s merch table. We aren’t a major corporation. We aren’t raking in boat loads of money. We are here for you. We are here to create and play music that makes us feel good and makes others feel good. Through thick and thin music will always have your back. You should return the favor.
