STATEMENT FROM THE BAND REGARDING DONCASTER

[CribsForum]

Just thought that we should write something about the Doncaster show last night.
Firstly, it's pretty obvious that this band were disgusted by the way that a certain minority treated The Slits during their set. Despite putting on an amazing, powerful performance the night was marred from this point onwards by a handful of people throwing coins, beer and generally putting on a disgustingly chauvinistic display of small mindedness.
As we said from the stage last night, it reminded us of when we were opening for the Sex Pistols in Brixton a couple of years ago and we remember being really quite pissed off that the audience were too close minded to really give us a chance, so imagine how bad we felt when a band we have a lot of respect for and invited to play with us were treated in a similar way. The thing that bothered us most is that this reception can't possibly have been anything to do with the music. Also, just to make it clear, these people didn't bother or upset The Slits in any way AT ALL. They played on, and the show of unity from the rest of the bands on the bill, as well as the way The Slits carried themselves was not only a moral victory but also pretty moving. The only people these idiots upset or bothered was this band, The Cribs - and their real fans who had to tolerate being represented by the dick heads with the loudest mouths. It was so cowardly.
We were in 2 minds about what to do during their set, do we pull the show? No, that would be letting them win and making the night all about their behaviour. So we played.
We've never played in Doncaster before and we have to admit that we had been looking forward to this show maybe more than any other in our 6 years of touring, to be playing what is essentially our local arena was something that I was really excited about. I guess that when you play shows of this size you have to come to terms with the fact that you will have some people in there that have views that are way out of line to yours but it still takes you by surprise when it happens.
As we said earlier, I know it was just a small minority. We have met our fans all over the world and know that our fans are some of the best you could hope for, we're not stupid enough to tar everyone with the same brush because of a few bad apples. We're just disappointed that Yorkshire was represented so poorly last night to so many people. 3 of us grew up in Yorkshire and know that we are better than that. To our real fans, thanks so much for helping us salvage something from the gig, our show lived up to the aspirations we had for it, but there is no way that we can let these things pass unmentioned.
As Ari Up said "educate the person next to you". To those who would rather treat our (or any bands) show as an excuse to indulge your testosterone - leave us the fuck alone - we have no place for you here.

The Cribs

[Lizbeth]

I think pretty much everyone on here would like the band to know that we were all shocked and disgusted by the treatment The Slits received last night. I just hope the band haven't lost their faith in Cribs fans and music fans entirely. Hopefully the gig in Edinburgh tonight will rectify that.

[bella127]

I was unfortunate enough to miss the supports but shocked and disgusted to even have to read that, let alone witness it. The behaviour is just not on, and that statement about sums it up. Well said boys, and well played.

[Bradders]

Well said. And you're right about it not being down to the music, they were getting stuff thrown at them before the first song even started... It's hard to argue when people call the Cribs a 'lad band' now, I always say that them and their music couldn't be further from that but unfortunately a large proportion of the crowd are.

I'd never listened to The Slits before, but I had heard of them. I thought they were pretty good, particularly the last song.

[Smatters]

i wasn't there last night. but i find what i've read about the behaviour of the said people in the crowd to be outrageous. you couldn't have put it better.

shame the swear filter ruined it at the end!

[moments_in_the_snow]

i was pretty surprised and appalled at the assholes in the crowd too. i've been to a few cribs gigs in the last few months and i was really looking forward to doncaster because i thought the yorkshire crowd would've been the best one. but as soon as we walked in all we heard were people booing and stuff getting thrown on stage. it was pretty horrible and i couldn't help but think there was a bit of sexism going on there. maybe i'm overanalyzing but it was pretty f**cking shitty.

it's nice that the cribs commented on it and hopefully those losers were ashamed of themselves and will think twice before acting like that. and will stay away from cribs gigs in the future!

apart from that though, i really enjoyed the gig but i wasn't loving the atmosphere so much (probably my least fave from all the ones i've been to) but the band were on good form and that's the most important thing.

[marrdrew]

I was shocked at the reaction to The Slits, there were a few thugs in there last night along with the true devoted #cribsforummassive. Fair play to The Slits though they showed their true punk credentials, it was true punk endeavour in the face of adversity. They just seemed to lap all the anamosity up and feed off it. 'Love Und Romance' and 'I Heard It Through The Grape Vine' were awesome. It didn't soil my evening due to the fact they played on and didn't give a fcuk bout the small minded minority. I'm sure they and The Cribs have educated these idiots. I find it ironic the same people who booed and pelted The Slits were singing to 'Ignore The Ignorant'

[moomin]

speaking from a view point from someone that didnt go
but that is a gutting read
its been very clear that this is the gig everyone was looking forward to, fans and band, so to read that is really disappointing

I am glad all bands carried on and of the bands I have seen at bigger venues The Cribs are one band whom I feel personally deserve to sell out arenas, and I do hope it doesnt put them off in the future as there are a lot of fans who do truly deserve the experience

I really hope anyone on here who went did, despite the numbnuts, manage to have a decent time

[papertiger]

I just wanted to say that I was there and like everyone else I was disgusted by the way the Slits were treated, I always think it's so disrespectful to treat a support band so badly and there is no excuse, and it's sad and pathetic. But despite of that I did really enjoy the Cribs, thank you so much for not pulling out and playing a great set.

[livvy]

I'm pretty disgusted at the twats from last night, but I have to say I'm proud #cribsforummassive had nothing to do with it, and are all in the same state of mind about it.
It just shows that although there are far too many wankers in the world of music fans, there's also some proper decent people like ourselves. Pat on the back to The Cribs, The Slits, and #cribsforummassive.

[ratty]

What Livvy said - ok I only like one of their songs but it really did piss me off people had no respect, it's crap this happened in Yorkshire, not that I'd like it anwhere else, just gutted some knobs let the side down

[leeroy]

Wrote a blog about this as it really annoyed me

http://www.gigjunkie.net/blog/post/2009 ... -gigs.aspx

Tough choice for the band, glad they carried on but hopefully they can raise this in the national press to raise awareness to those who don't realise what they did was wrong

[mickster]

you'll never quite know what it means to be ignorant until you've spent time in our town...


i missed all this as i was outside talking to some really friendly people, so i couldnt figure out what the band were so pissed off about. there were other problems too the venue staff didnt really seem to want this kind of show and the sound was muddy in bits but seeing everyone battle against it to make the ocassion what it should be was fantastic.

the big one always goes a bit wrong doesnt it?...just hope this doesnt turn the band against reaching for a larger audience cos they are far bigger and better than deliberately staying in an indie ghetto. the majority of the 'laddish' new fans are great people who genuinely connect with the music.

thnx for a great night anyway

[fashionista we dont need]

I came to the gig not particularly interested in any of the support bands, though los camp grew on me in the few days before the gig. However I really enjoyed all of them, but even if i hadn't, that in no way to treat anybody!I was so angry while it was happening i had a good mind to go beat the shit out of the few yobish, narrow minded, sexist jerks, but I was enjoying the slits too much so i just kept dancing instead. Also when Me and Gwen were dancing, after ducking from the all the beer, coins and even a glass bottle, (which can i say well done to the idiots most of the beer ended up on the front row of fans anyyway) the guy next to us says 'what you actually like this?.....you stupid feminist' (or something along those lines).

We were lucky enough to meet the slits after and they were genuinely the nicest people ever, and clearly didn't give a shit. I was thinking on my way home, the only people they've pissed of is The Cribs and I bet that's the last thing they wanted so yeah well done. Also the Cribs must feel embarrassed that that's how some of there 'Fans' can treat the Slits, who i'd say it was a pretty big deal to have them supporting.

I hope The Cribs and The Slits realise how many people enjoyed The Slits, and if not that, at least respected it. Shame you can't ignore the ignorant ain't it?

[Lizbeth]

I think we need another gig now to cancel all the bad stuff out. Secret gig anyone? Not in Doncaster, obv.....