Australian music duo hail ‘genius, mastermind move’ by fan David Spargo who altered band’s Wikipedia page with fake entry listing him as a relation

This article is more than 4 years old

This article is more than 4 years old

You can’t trust everything you read on Wikipedia, as a security guard has learned after falling for a concertgoer’s auspicious edit.

Fan David Spargo tried to gain backstage access at a Peking Duk gig in Melbourne on Wednesday night, claiming to be related to a member of the Australian electronic music duo.



The security guard was at first sceptical, asking him to prove that he was Reuben Styles’ step-brother.

Then Spargo pulled up the Peking Duk Wikipedia page on his phone, which listed him under “family” – as of moments ago.

“It was probably the most genius, mastermind move that I’ve ever witnessed,” said Adam Hyde, Styles’ bandmate. “It’s crazy. He just did it on the spot, in a second on his phone.

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“He told the security guard he was our stepbrother or something, and showed them the Wikipedia page and his ID.”

It goes to show, said Hyde, “never trust Wikipedia”.

Spargo introduced himself to the band, who were more impressed by his ingenuity than concerned by the security breach.

“We ended up having a bunch of beers with him and he was an absolute legend. He wasn’t a creep or anything. He was like the most normal dude we’ve ever met. That’s what makes it more hilarious,” said Hyde.

Peking Duk were surprise acts at the gig, a launch party for Heineken’s James Bond tie-in campaign.

“The green room was really far away from where we played, because they wanted to keep up as secret guests,” said Hyde. “He definitely put the work in, and it worked.

“He is 007.”

Spargo, a mental health practitioner based in Melbourne, told Guardian Australia he “definitely” didn’t think the stunt would be successful.

“Peking Duk’s set finished and I was about to head home, then I just had a lightbulb-above-the-head kind of moment and thought, yeah, I’ll give it a crack. No harm in trying, is there?”

After showing his ID and the Wikipedia page to a security guard, he was taken backstage and told to wait. “I stood out there for five minutes and I started to think this isn’t going to work. Then Reuben pops his head out and is like, hey bro, come on in.”

Peking Duk later shared a screenshot of Spargo’s Wikipedia edit to their Twitter and Facebook presences, with a quote from the film Anchorman: “Actually, I’m not even mad. That’s amazing.”



peking duk (@pekingduk) som1 edited our wiki 2 say he was our family. showed security, got in2 the green room and had a beer with the boys.. pic.twitter.com/DUZfki9hFS

Spargo commented on the Facebook status with a straightforward response: “Thanks for the evening lads.”

As of Thursday afternoon, David Spargo remained listed as family on the page, with an addendum: “Legend”.

“My real brother called me up and said it’s still up with ‘Legend’,” he said. “I’m yet to check it out to be honest.”

Hyde said his bandmate Styles took Spargo’s number.

“We might end up having a couple of beers with him. I’ve got to tip my hat to that guy’s kahunas.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest After the release of their new single, Say My Name, Peking Duk are now back in the studio.

“He’s probably still drinking, the dirty dog. That, or trying to infiltrate someone else’s green room.”

