This week has brought to light just how dirty our music industry is at the present time. Many women have come forward with accounts of sexual misconduct, manipulation, and abuse at the hands of several different musicians. Jesse Lacey, Mike Fuentes, Jonny Craig, Luke Rockets, and Rob Damiani are just some of the names that have popped up in the last few days and first and foremost let me say this, from all of us here at Kill The Music we send you our deepest condolences and are here for you while you work through these traumas. Punk Talks has resources for those who have come forward, those who feel they may want to come forward with their story, and those who are feeling betrayed by the musicians they looked up to.
Both predatory behaviors and sexual misconduct and abuse have been happening for over a decade (as per these accounts) and women (and men too, we aren't forgetting that) have grown tired of being taken advantage of in a place where you are meant to feel safe and secure. Most of these accounts have unfortunately involved the correspondences between grown men and children between the ages of 14-17, something that is deplorable regardless of your social status. These men are not above any other that would prey on younger children and while sad there are so many, it's a beautiful thing that people are finally feeling strong enough to call out their abusers and hold them accountable for their actions. There is clearly an issue with these musicians thinking that they can use their notoriety to manipulate and abuse fans both under, and of-age; and it's our responsibility as supporters of the music industry to ensure that this can no longer happen. We need to make sure that our friends, families, peers, and strangers who love the same artists you do are safe, YOU need to be safe. The time is no more to let artists run the world and get away with being horrible people, women and men alike are taking back the music industry. And if you're scared of this revolution, you should probably take a look at yourself in the mirror and your past actions and maybe their you will find out why you're so scared.