A band with a supposed “racist” and “sexist” name has allegedly been the target of “serious threats of violence and vandalism” by feminists that have caused the band to cancel an upcoming concert.
Outraged over the “all white, male” band named “Black Pussy,” feminists launched a petition attempting to coerce the band in to changing its name. According to the petition, if the band did not change its name and issue an apology for being racist and sexist, there would be a boycott of the venues that booked the band’s tour.
The band claims the name was inspired by the Rolling Stones song “Brown Sugar,” which was originally titled “Black Pussy.” Record labels reportedly deemed the song title too controversial, but Black Pussy thought the name was fitting for the band.
The name “encapsulates exactly what the band is: a sex-charged, ’70s-influenced, hide-your-daughters-because-they’re-coming-to-town rock ‘n’ roll band that sounds like Tarantino directing a Thin Lizzy video in the low desert,” the band writes.
The band also notes the original Rolling Stones song contains an anti-racist message.
On the band’s Facebook profile, the band addresses the controversy surrounding their name: “Black Pussy does not condone or endorse any sexism, racism, ageism, violence, or any other douchebaggery that has been spoiling the party since the party started. If you are offended by the band’s name, please refer to the following video… http://youtu.be/gHywzQon6tc.”
Despite the band’s explicit denouncement of sexism and racism, feminists made their opinions on the band name known in interviews with the Daily Dot. Leila Hofstein, who is the Youth Program Coordinator at PFLAG Portland Black Chapter, called the band’s name a “passive advertisement for violence.” She said, “To take a really explicit name like that just says, ‘Hey, we don’t give a shit about you and the safety that you feel on the street every day. We just want to exploit it.'”
Others called the band’s name “triggering” and compared it to blackface.
According to the band, as a result of the uproar over the name, there have been serious threats of violence. In light of these purported threats, the band decided to cancel its upcoming show in Raleigh, North Carolina. In a statement released to Metal Sucks, Black Pussy wrote, “it is with deep regret that we must announce that there have been serious threats of violence and vandalism against the promoter, the staff, and the venue of The Pour House in Raleigh, North Carolina, and out of respect for the venue and the safety of everyone involved, the March 25th show has been cancelled.”
“It is VERY important to recognize the grave irony of a situation where those protesting nothing more than the contentious name of a band that has never stood for anything but positivity and love are the very same people threatening physical harm to others and their property,” the band added.
The band reaffirmed they welcome fans of any race or gender.