Rocker slammed over ‘disgusting’ rape joke at Sydney show

WHILE famous for his wild on stage antics, Anton Newcombe from The Brian Jonestown Massacre horrified fans at their Sydney concert with this outburst.

Anton Newcombe. Picture: Thomas Girard

THE BRIAN Jonestown Massacre’s frontman Anton Newcombe has been slammed by concertgoers after making a joke about rape on Saturday night.

During his band’s performance at Sydney’s Metro Theatre on Saturday night, Newcombe also dissed rival bands, complained about the city’s lockout laws and called the audience “baboons”.

In video footage posted to Twitter, the American singer targeted a screaming fan who had interrupted his onstage tirade about rock band Black Rebel Motorcycle Club.

Last night at the Metro, Anton Newcombe made a rape “joke” to a fan, went on a tirade against A Place To Bury Strangers and BRMC, insulted several of his band members, and called the audience “baboons”, blaming Sydney’s lock-out laws on that. pic.twitter.com/Jzb6QQnNGp

— Elena Wewer (@ElenaWewer) June 9, 2018

I’m deeply disappointed and disgusted in him, and am never seeing the Brian Jonestown Massacre again (last night was my second time). Absolutely inexcusable behaviour. I took so many notes and videos because I was in disbelief and needed proof to show friends and fellow fans.

— Elena Wewer (@ElenaWewer) June 9, 2018

You need to be accountable for your pigheaded actions. Making a joke about rape is never okay.

— jac beth (@velociraptwat) June 10, 2018

Alarming. I saw a whole lot of other young women walking out (I'm not as young - I am closer to the band's vintage!_. I reported it to the bar staff, and was literally shaking with rage. I imagine for a certain kind of gullible fan it was "that's just Anton". Fk dat.

— Louise D'Arcens (@LDArcens) June 10, 2018

Will never pay money to see Brian Jonestown Massacre again after Anton Newcombe made a rape joke on stage

— Ruby Wawn (@ruby_wawn) June 9, 2018

“Whatever, you’re a d**khead,” he told the fan. “Your mum probably screamed like that when she was being raped and that’s how you were born.”

While the comment immediately drew loud boos from the audience, some concertgoers also appeared to be clapping Newcombe’s response.

News.com.au has contacted Newcombe and The Brian Jonestown Massacre for comment.

One audience member Louise told Fairfax that Newcombe had become annoyed earlier that evening after he was interrupted by the crowd while trying to tell a story about his late friend, Anthony Bourdain.

Celebrity chef Bourdain died suddenly last week after committing suicide in France.

Anton Newcombe is the lead singer of The Brian Jonestown Massacre. Picture: Thomas Girard

“He just unloaded on people about it, saying you’re a bunch of d**kheads and baboons and that’s why you’ve got lockout laws in Sydney … The rest of the band looked completely mortified,” she said.

Newcombe founded The Brian Jonestown Massacre in San Francisco, California in 1990 and has previously made headlines for his wild on stage antics, showcased in 2004 documentary DIG!