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Gang Gang Dance Drummer Allegedly Beaten by Security Guards at Pukkelpop

11:43 a.m. · August 26, 2009 · by Andrew Winistorfer

In a message from the band's publicist, Gang Gang Dance are reporting that their drummer, Jesse Lee, was beaten by security guards at last weekend's Pukkelpop Festival in Belgium. According to the band, Lee was walking to the backstage area to board a shuttle to the hotel when he was jumped by three security guards who dragged him to a spot out of the security cameras' range and proceeded to try to break his arms.

The guards then brought him to a cop, and claimed that Lee threw a bottle at them, which is impossible, says the band, since all drinks at the festival were required to be in cups. Lee was understandably shaken up, but he still performed the next night.

If this story is true, it's pretty crazy, especially since they supposedly told Lee that they would "show him what real pain is," which is what Belgian villains in Jean Claude Van-Damme movies would say.

Here's the band's full statement:

"On Saturday night at Pukkelpop as the festival was coming to a close Jesse was singled out and attacked by three security guards as he was attempting to walk to the artist backstage area to get the shuttle to the hotel. Security denied him access although he was clearly wearing an artists wristband and immediately dragged him to a darkened area that was not on the close circuit TV network and forced him face first into the ground, they then pulled his arms behind stamping on them trying to break both arms whilst repeatedly shouting at  him, 'We are going to show you what real pain is.' They handcuffed him and continued the unprovoked beating. The three thugs then took Jesse to the police where they accused him of throwing a bottle at them. Jesse was drinking from a plastic cup, as you have to decant any drinks on entrance to the main arena. I was with him only moments before the attack so can confirm this. I went to the toilet which is why I was not with him at the time of attack unfortunately.

Jesse was happy to be taken to the police for his own safety and was driven to the station where he was told not to make a scene or a formal complaint. He spent 45 minutes with the police, who gave him a lift back to the hotel.

Jesse sustained injuries to the head, a large bump and bruising, and multiple bruising to the body. This made it painful and difficult to play the following days show. He was badly shaken up and it marred what was a wonderful performance and day for the band. Up until that point we were all saying how brilliant the festival was.

 

It's a shame the actions of three security guards have put Gang Gang and Pukkelpop through this."

via Pitchfork

Photo credit: Lori Baily/Prefixmag.com