Concert canceled after name controversy and threats

A rock band with a controversial name was scheduled to play New Mountain AVL on Friday, but after receiving negative and threatening messages by Facebook and phone, the venue has canceled the show.

Owner Adrian Zelski says more than 50 people have contacted the venue. Some are simply offended by the name, but others have promised bad things will happen if the band plays.

The controversy began three weeks ago when a petition surfaced on change.org encouraging people to boycott the band, called Black Pussy, and the venues that book them. "This band represents a larger society's consistent disregard for black life and a culture of white supremacy and misogyny toward women, particularly, toward black women," reads the petition, which was posted by a user called M G of San Francisco, California.

Ironically, the petition seems to have increased the band's fame, even if it is in the form of notoriety.

Zelski says it was a tough decision to take the band off Friday's bill. "I don't like the name," he says. "At the same time, I don't want to seem like some sort of censor. ... I'm just trying to be a venue that hosts diverse art. I'm not trying to choose sides."

The rock band from Portland, Oregon, comprises five white men. Its Facebook page reads: "Black Pussy does not condone or endorse any sexism, racism, ageism, violence, or [anything else] that has been spoiling the party since the party started."

The band's Raleigh show was rescheduled after the original venue, The Pour House, received threats of physical harm, according to an article in Indy Week. Another venue, Slim's, agreed to host the band Thursday night.

A protest is planned Thursday night near the Raleigh venue, according to a Facebook event, "PROTEST TONIGHT. Boycott Black Pussy Band." More than 250 people have indicated they are going. The event page lists the phone number of New Mountain and encourages its audience to leave voice mails.

Zelski says the band will still come to town to perform at a private event, and he will pay them for their gig,even though they're not playing as scheduled. The band played The Mothlight in June and has amassed a local fan base.