Butcher Babies’ Heidi Shepherd Addresses Ejection of Audience Member Over Threat of Violence

A concert is a place to rock, revel in the music and have a good time, but the threat or the physical act of violence is something that should be checked at the door, especially in this post-Dimebag Darrell attack world. But sadly, violence is something that still exists at some shows and over the weekend Butcher Babies had to deal with an incident.

According to reports, the band was playing at Ziggy’s in Winston-Salem, N.C. on Sunday (Sept. 8) when security ejected a female concertgoer who was allegedly heard making a threat of physical violence against the group. In response, co-vocalist Heidi Shepherd has addressed the situation with an online posting. Her posting can be read in full below and the Instagram post it came from can be viewed below that.

In lieu of recent situations, this must be said. Regardless of if at a show or online, if someone threatens me or my band with physical violence, they will be ejected from a show or banned from the venue the night we are there. It doesn’t matter what your opinion is of me or any of us, physical violence is not the answer, will be taken very seriously and not be tolerated. I commend the security guards at Ziggy’s who heard the threats last night at our merch booth and immediately reacted.

This particular person blames her ejection from the show on stating her opinion, which is bogus. No one gets kicked out of a show for stating an opinion. Almost all artists have dealt with these sort of actions from show-goers and unfortunately will continue to deal with. Whether or not you are joking, or think you’re being tough, there are a million reasons why everyone will take your threats seriously. Which if you can’t understand, then start over in life and figure it out.

I couldn’t care less about the people who don’t like my band, there are plenty of bands I don’t like. However, I would NEVER threaten physical harm to any of them. Neither would 90% of the world. If you don’t have a flavor for a band that’s on the bill for a show you paid to get into, go to the bar, sit in your car, go outside, etc during their set and wait for the band you came to see. Be an adult.. Then maybe you might be able to watch the band you paid to see!

AND if you wait for us by our bus after you’ve been kicked out… Expect the have security all over your asses!!!

In leiu of recent situations, this must be said. Regardless of if at a show or online, if someone threatens me or my band with physical violence, they will be ejected from a show or banned from the venue the night we are there. It doesn’t matter what your opinion is of me or any of us, physical violence is not the answer, will be taken very seriously and not be tolerated. I commend the security guards at Ziggy’s who heard the threats last night at our merch booth and immediately reacted. This particular person blames her ejection from the show on stating her opinion, which is bogus. No one gets kicked out of a show for stating an opinion. Almost all artists have dealt with these sort of actions from show-goers and unfortunately will continue to deal with. Whether or not you are joking, or think you’re being tough, there are a million reasons why everyone will take your threats seriously. Which if you can’t understand, then start over in life and figure it out. I couldn’t care less about the people who don’t like my band, there are plenty of bands I don’t like. However, I would NEVER threaten physical harm to any of them. Neither would 90% of the world. If you don’t have a flavor for a band that’s on the bill for a show you paid to get into, go to the bar, sit in your car, go outside, etc during their set and wait for the band you came to see. Be an adult.. Then maybe you might be able to watch the band you paid to see! AND if you wait for us by our bus after you’ve been kicked out… Expect the have security all over your asses!!!

A photo posted by Heidi Shepherd (@heidithebutcher) on Sep 7, 2015 at 9:47pm PDT

Butcher Babies are currently on tour with GWAR, with shows booked through Sept. 18. After several festival appearances, the band will kick off the next leg of their fall touring with Amaranthe beginning Oct. 29 in Atlanta. Check out all their shows at this location.

Watch Butcher Babies’ ‘Monsters Ball’ Video