Gorilla Biscuits frontman Anthony ‘Civ’ Civarelli has come under fire for comments he made regarding the ‘Black Lives Matter’ movement during the band’s set at the 2016 ‘This Is Hardcore Fest‘ in Philadelphia, PA over the weekend. Before playing “Degradation“, Civarelli said from the stage:
“In 2016 people still have to wear shirts that say ‘Black Lives Matter’. No shit. Brown, white, yellow, black, we all fucking matter. Everybody here matters. Do not let the media, schools, institutions, influence you. We are one family, one people.”
In light of the backlash he’s faced since making the comments, he issued the following response:
“…I’m surprised that this was taken in any other way then it was intended. My point was and I thought it was clear that in 2016 we as a people should not need such things to be on a shirt and they should be universal truths.
We are all in this together. If you know the band and the lyrics and what we have always stood for this should be clear. Also look at the lyrics to “degradation” and “things we say” especially the line, “some people are so quick to judge let’s get the judgement straight”…”
