DIECAST 'Set Record Straight' In Regards To Salt Lake City Brawl

DIECAST guitarist Jon Kita has issued a "rebuttal" to the now infamous KTVX.comvideo of the Jan. 22 brawl at the group's concert in Salt Lake City.

The video shows the crowd getting unruly during DIECAST's show at a Midvale comedy club (The Comedy Circuit). There's a lot of shoving and pushing and then it gets out of control.

Some people jumped on stage and allegedly assaulted members of the band — a claim that the members of DIECAST deny. A security guard was reportedly attacked when he tried to stop them.

Commented Kita: "After seeing the KTVX.com video and accompanying news report covering the incident that occurred on January 22nd in Salt Lake City at The Comedy Circuit, I felt compelled to write this in order to clarify a few points. I wanted to address the footage that is available for download on the KTVX website and at Blabbermouth.net.

"At first glance and given an outside perspective, it looks as though we aren't concerned about the safety of our fans. Nothing could be further from the truth. Our fans are like family to us, their well-being and safety during a show has always been priority one for us. Sadly, their safety is in the hands of the security at the venue when we play. We have no control over what any given individual will do during the course of our show.

"Let it be said now that our fans are our family. We are nothing without them, and I would give them the shirt off my back without a moment's hesitation. We encourage their participation in the show and invite them to sing along and join us onstage. There is no division between us and our fans. It is the job of the security to keep the crowd safe, and I wish I could ensure the safety of every one of our fans.

"The KTVX story made me feel like shit. With a quote like '…and all along, the band DIECAST, continues to play,' gives the situation such a negative spin. They make it sound as if we don't care about you all. That makes me ill. As those words come out of the reporter's mouth, please notice me in the right hand corner taking off my guitar and putting it down. As you are invited to take a 'full look at the tape' by KTVX, notice the time stamps. The video is spliced in the interest of time and it also seems to make it more dramatic and chaotic.

"According to the report, the fight lasted 'two and a half minutes,' and there is one minute and 39 seconds of actual footage. Once we had stopped playing, it had no bearing on the intensity and length of the fight, as it continued inside the venue afterwards.

"According to the reporter 'the fight spills into the parking lot.' We had no idea that after we finished playing and the fight was broken up inside, that it had started up once again outside the venue. It was brought to our attention at the end of the night when were informed that somebody had three broken ribs from what ensued outside. We want our fans to feel safe. We want people to come out to shows and hang out with us and watch us play, but it is up to the venue to provide adequate security to protect all of the fans as well as themselves.

"We play an aggressive style of music and the people that attend the shows know what to expect when they come out. There is a lot of energy at metal shows and these people in attendance have to go to work or school the following day, this is their release. Some come to dance and some come to watch the bands play. In either case, security needs to be adequate to maintain order. Someone who organizes a show like this is well aware of the inherent risks. As with anything, it is better to be over-prepared and not have to use all of your resources than to be under prepared and have to deal with an unfortunate situation like this and the fallout thereafter. We just want our fans to be safe, and would never do anything to jeopardize their personal safety. You all mean the world to us.

"We love Salt Lake City and we look forward to coming back and playing a full set for you all."