Thu:03-07-2008

- Trav McCoy Bashes A Punter!

The Trend Of Fan-Bashing Continues

Maybe punters will think twice about going to see their favourite band/act especially with all the reports of fan-bashing being bandied about!

The latest star to beat up a concert goer is Travis McCoy front man of Gym Class Heroes, who has been arrested on one charge of third-degree assault.

But as they say, there's two sides to every story, and if the reports are to be believed, then the Amy Winehouses, Kanye Wests and Travis McCoys of the world are finally giving heckling punters their comeuppance.

According to MTV.com news, Trav and crew had just finished the first song of their Warped Tour set when an audience member near the front row called the lead singer a "f*&king ignorant n#$*%r"

As security was removing him from the crowd, Travis reportedly reached down and hit the heckler on the head repeatedly with his microphone.

Trav apologized for his violent reaction and said it wasn't representative of him as a person. "I'm sorry. But when someone calls you something that ignorant and that offensive, you have to bash their head in with a microphone," he said.

The band's manager, Bob McLynn, released a statement that read: "Somebody in the crowd was taunting Travis with racial slurs. Travis invited him onstage with the intent of calling him out in front of the crowd, with absolutely no intention of a physical altercation. When he tried to help him onstage, the guy hit Travis in the knee area (which has been in a brace because of a recent sprain), forcing Travis to defend himself. At this point, a scuffle broke out.

"This whole incident is unfortunate," the statement continues. "Travis McCoy and Gym Class Heroes are anything but violent. Their message is about racial unity and having a good time. It's amazing that in 2008, there are still people out there that would say such ignorant things. Travis is deeply upset that this happened, and has expressed his apologies to the band's fans that were at the show, [tour organizer] Kevin Lyman, and the Vans Warped Tour. GCH is putting this behind them and looks forward to seeing everyone on the rest of the tour."

A quick scan of blog postings shows overwhelming support for Travis, with many saying  they'd do the same thing.  And while we're not one to condone violence, what was the little turd thinking dropping the 'N' bomb on Trav who happens to be around 6"8?

Trav was released early Wednesday morning on $500 bond.  Maybe a shrewd retort would be a wiser course of action next time...

By Penelope Quinn

Catch more goss on our daily program "MTV News" by clicking through to Overdrive