Melbourne Punk Band Apologise For 'Distress' Over War Memorial Desecration

Victorian punk outfit Scab Eater have come forward to distance themselves as a collective from the desecration of a war memorial in the Wollongong suburb of Corrimal ahead of planned ANZAC Day celebrations last and this weekend.

Despite early suggestions that the band may have been responsible for or involved in the desecration, which saw damage inflicted upon a granite pillar and the words "Scab Eater — No tears for dead soldiers" scrawled on another alongside an anarchist 'A' logo, they have since spoken out via Brisbane-based annual mini-fest Total Attack to condemn the vandalising of the memorial, on which they blame a "single individual", and deny any culpability for additional debris at the site, including the damaged pillar and presence of smashed alcohol bottles on the ground.

In the post, which, interestingly, also announced that Scab Eater will no longer be performing at Total Attack or "any other related shows" for which they were previously booked before the controversy broke, the band explained:

"This is due to a graffiti incident at an ANZAC memorial that occurred in Corrimal over the weekend. Scab Eater would like to state that they recognise the history of ANZAC and conscription service in Australia and that, although the Australian military has a bloody and imperial legacy, fallen soldiers are just as much victims of war as any other form of casualty.

"The ignorant and heartless sentiments on the memorial were the action of a single individual which collectively the band does not stand behind. The structural damage to the granite and additional broken glass was not caused by any member of Scab Eater.

"Scab Eater apologise for any distress or grief caused by the message, and this incident. Please share this around to offer whatever consolation it may bring."

According to The Illawarra Mercury, police are now investigating the incident with the assistance of CCTV footage.