The debate for stagediving and fans being allowed onstage has flared up again, this time thanks to punk outfit NOFX. A fan hopped onstage during the groups recent set in Sydney, Australia mid-song and wrapped his arm around lead vocalist/bassist Fat Mike.
The musician promptly knocked him down with a blow and kicked him in the face while he was down. Fan-filmed footage of that can be seen after the break. Burkett and the fan, identified as Alex, have since reconciled over Twitter with that conversation also posted below. Burkett blamed his defensive behavior on a sore neck.
Crowd surfing and fans being allowed onstage has become a contentious issue in recent years. Especially since the onstage shooting of “Dimebag” Darrell Abbot in 2004 and more recently, the arrest and trial of Lamb Of God‘s Randy Blythe after a stage diving fan lost their life at one of the bands shows.
@lemonlawpunk @FatMike_of_NOFX not a fake account, heres photo of my swollen lip and in what i wore pic.twitter.com/3BYarBSC7P
— Alex. (@alexanderpeterq) November 5, 2014
I’m sorry too Alex, I was in terrible pain all night. When you grabbed me by the neck I defensively reacted… offensively @alexanderpeterq
— Mike Burkett (@FatMike_of_NOFX) November 5, 2014
Alex, if you go to the show on friday I’ll buy you a beer. Just don’t throw it at me alright?
— Mike Burkett (@FatMike_of_NOFX) November 5, 2014
