The Ghost Inside's Jonathan Vigil attacked for anti-violence stance: "I will always preach positive"
Over the weekend, Ghost Inside frontman Jonathan Vigil shared a series of tweets and Instragram posts that revealed he had been physically attacked. The assault was brought on by a tweet Vigil posted earlier this year, which discouraged fighting at shows.
Fighting at shows sucks. It has always sucked and it will forever suck. Just stop
— Jonathan Vigil (@JonathanVigil) March 16, 2015
“Regardless of getting jumped for what I said about fighting at shows on Twitter, fighting at shows STILL sucks and will always suck,” Vigil shared on Instagram alongside a photo which appeared to show his own blood-splattered leg.
According Vigil's tweets, it looks as though the incident took place at TGI's show in Reno, Nevada on Saturday, October 24.
Even if I get jumped for saying so, fighting at shows sucks. It’s always sucked and it will always suck. pic.twitter.com/HihEwPSvgn
— Jonathan Vigil (@JonathanVigil) October 25, 2015
Saying this AGAIN, and not specific to any one city or any one person. Stop fighting at shows, it sucks for everyone.
— Jonathan Vigil (@JonathanVigil) October 25, 2015
Vigil has shared the following statement exclusively with AltPress, in which he reveals why he posted about the incident online and why he continues to stand by his original anti-violence statement.
“I posted about the incident because I stand for what I believe in. What I believe, and I feel like any sensible person would believe as well, is that fighting at shows is terrible and doesn't belong.
I did not post about the incident to out anybody, to start drama, to get sympathy online, to get some kind of revenge or anything like that. I posted about it because this is a real thing that happens to people at shows (show goers and bands alike) who are only trying to make things better and that kind of reaction is sad and depressing for everyone.
I understand that metal and hardcore music is aggressive in its nature. I know that people come from all different backgrounds. I know that some people have it harder than others. I know people have vastly different opinions. I know that people hate. But this scene is an outlet for everyone involved to deal with the problems in their lives. Whether it's the lyrics and singing along to them live, getting away from home and spending time at a show getting sweaty with friends, being on stage and letting it all go or even if it's getting out some of that aggression in the pit, you leave the show better than you entered it. That's what it's always been for me. On either side of the stage, on or off. When fighting is involved with that, it destroys scenes. It shuts down venues. People get hurt. It deters new people from wanting to get into it. It makes people SCARED to go see a show. That's unacceptable.
I'm 31 years old. The truth is there's plenty of things I could be (and probably should be) doing with my life but I choose to do this. I am a face, I am a voice and I am a part of this scene. I will always use my platform to speak about things I believe in. To write about tragedy and injustice and how to push through it. I will always preach positive.
I'll end this now with what started this whole thing in the first place…
'Fighting at shows sucks. It has always sucked and it will forever suck. Just stop'”
