Philip H. Anselmo & The IllegalsA Jewish anti-hate group is calling for former Pantera frontman Philip H Anselmo’s Australian tour with his band, The Illegals, to be cancelled due to "white power" comments he made in 2016.
As ABC reports, the chairman of the Anti-Defamation Commission, Dvir Abramovich, has issued a statement following the cancellation of the singer’s New Zealand shows, saying he “should not be performing [in Australia]”.
"At a time when we are all grieving and mourning for the lives lost in Christchurch, it would be profoundly hurtful and simply unacceptable to host a singer in our country who has expressed neo-Nazi and antisemitic sentiments by using the abominable white supremacist gesture,” Abramovich.
Following the onstage incident in 2016, where Anselmo was filmed at a Los Angeles show doing a Nazi salute and yelling "white power", he issued a filmed apology, stating he was "repulsed by my own actions" and “truly sorry for the pain I have caused”.
Philip H Anselmo & The Illegals’ Australian tour commences tonight in Canberra, with the band today adding extra shows in this country following the cancellation of their Christchurch and Auckland dates.
The Music has reached out to local promoters Soundworks Touring for comment.
