Last night in Australia at Sydney’s The Metro venue, Brian Jonestown Massacre singer Anton Newcombe was in the midst of one of his trademark on-stage rants. His focus turned to the name of Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, a group that is often compared to Newcombe’s own band. While discussing the band’s previous name The Elements, he said “that’s a stupid fucking name. In fact there’s another band called The Elements with a flyer outside the show.”

At this point in the video, the audience is a mix of boos, jeers and cheers. Apparently someone made a comment that is not audible in the video, but heard by Newcombe. The famously vitriolic vocalist responded with an extremely harsh slam: “Whatever, you’re a dickhead. Your mom probably screamed like that when she was being raped and that’s how you were born.” See the video for yourself below:

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

In almost any time in the last few decades, that kind of joke would not be well received. With an increased awareness of widespread sexual abuse, assault and harassment in the wake of the #MeToo movement, that joke simply did not fly. Fans reacted in anger to the comment, venting online:

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

And Elena Weaver, the woman who shot the footage, responded to her initial tweet:

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

There is even a Change.org petition to get the band’s shows in Australia cancelled. The petition states that “gigs should be safe spaces.”

Principal Entertainment & The Forum: Gigs Should Be Safe Spaces – Cancel Brian Jonestown Massacre shows in Australia – Sign the Petition! https://t.co/s7dd9amFB4 via @ChangeAUS

— International Velvet (@IntVelvet) June 13, 2018

Others disagree about the safe spaces at shows sentiment. One Twitter user voiced the opinion that rock ‘n roll should be “dangerous”:

Wow, the Australian media is trying really hard to make @antonnewcombe into a bad guy.

It's not a story and it's not working, rock and roll is meant to be dangerous,it's not about apologizing for eating a Chick-fil-A.

Long live the Brian Jonestown Massacre!!!

— Dr Deathmont (@drdeathmont) June 12, 2018