“Bananagate 2026” and Toxic Masculinity in the Underground Hardcore Scene

So apparently there is some controversy because the hardcore band, End It, incited violence against one of their own fans, encouraging the crowd to rip off his silly banana costume, and physically assault him. Imagine calling yourself “hardcore” but then triggering yourself over a harmless funny little costume. And then peer pressuring your audience to literally attack them. That’s not tough, that’s just garden variety toxic masculinity and bullying!

I honestly feel so bad for the banana guy. The disappointment and humiliation in his eyes just tugs at my heartstrings. Especially because I have a naturally bubbly funny silly personality, which seems to deeply upset and offend the absolute WORST human beings I’ve ever met in my life. I know exactly how bad it hurts to be publicly shamed just for expressing myself. It’s a truly devastating feeling. People actively resent you for having fun, enjoying yourself, or literally just existing.

“But he was asking for it based on what he was wearing!”

Yikes, I shouldn’t have to tell you why this is an icy cold freezing take that nobody asked for. Sometimes I show up to concerts wearing an old band t-shirt and ripped jeans. Sometimes comfortable sweats and a modest hoodie. Sometimes a sexy satin corset and silky fishnet stockings. Sometimes just a bikini swimsuit. Sometimes I’m fresh out of my day job, still wearing formal evening gowns with high heels and glam make up and fancy jewelry, or even a full men’s business suit (I probably look better in a tuxedo than you do lol). Either way, what do you care, whatever I do or don’t wear, I paid for my damn ticket, and I’m going to watch the damn show!!!

On that note, I can’t think of a single situation, in which it would be even remotely appropriate, to forcibly remove someone else’s clothing, without their consent. It doesn’t matter if you don’t like their outfit. Hell, it doesn’t even matter if you dislike them as a person! There is no valid excuse to rob another human being of their own dignity and bodily autonomy. There is absolutely zero justification for such violence.

“But it’s a hardcore show! Expect some violence!”

Okay, cool, so bullying is okay, depending on what genre of music you listen to! So I’m just going to steal the thrashers’ lunch money, cheat off the power metallers’ homework, copy the jazzers’ riffs, and make out with the punks’ girlfriends under the bleachers! My problematic behavior is good and cool, because I have decent taste in music!

“But that banana guy was just acting out for attention!”

Bro, you literally scream on stage for a living. Hashtag diva goals! Yass queen! Gurl boss! Slaaaayyyy!

“Well that was just one incident! Judge the band by their actual music!”

Umm yeah I listened to their actual music… Mid! I’d rather listen to Hatebreed or Earth Crisis.

You gotta be some kind of dorky dweeb to throw a temper tantrum over someone else’s outfit. If you lose your shit over a dude in a banana suit, then you probably also get triggered over drag queens/kings, battle jackets/battle vests, tattoos, piercings, dyed hair, etc. If you have a conniption fit because you think a silly costume is distracting your adoring audience from staring at your glorious rockstar shenanigans, then you are as insecure as you are delulu. Bro, I see banana costumes all the time, especially at Isleta Amphitheatre. I’ve seen several Jesus costumes, especially at Hellfest. I’ve seen Teletubbies at Alice Cooper. Etc.

The band in question keeps responding to valid criticism, with the copy/pasted response, “Support your local hardcore scene”. My siblings in Satan, the man obviously already bought a ticket, and paid his hard earned money, to see all of the bands on the bilI?!! And I also buy tickets and merch for local hardcore/metal/punk bands and their concerts, ALL. THE. TIME. I show support and I headbang and I mosh. I pay hundreds of dollars out of pocket, and spend hours and hours of unpaid labor, writing reviews on this independent metal blog. You’re preaching to the choir.

I used to think that the only way to be hardcore, was to take yourself way too seriously, have a smug smirk or scowl on your face 24/7, wear a certain name brand of combat boots, paired with the exact “correct” band t-shirts, and a badass bullet belt, and a wallet chain, attached to camouflage military fatigues… Yeah I thought that I was so super cool and extra edgy… back when I was literally a bratty little teenage girl! Y’all are acting the same way that I did in middle school! Grow up.

Also notice how nobody in the audience had any issue whatsoever with the banana man, until someone onstage with a literal platform and influence and power told them to. I feel like this might be a metaphor for some larger societal problems, especially during pride month, but by God, I just can’t seem to put my finger on it!

Besides, I’m not going to take fashion advice from gross guys who wear the same sweaty t shirt and dirty old cargo shorts for several consecutive days on end.

Rant over. We may now resume our regularly scheduled program. Remember to be excellent to each other, and party on, dudes!