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Mixtapes' Ryan Rockwell makes fun of Tigers Jaw's stance on consent during Warped Tour; member Maura gives statement

Tigers Jaw at MHOW last week (more by Mimi Hong)
TJ

Last week at the Tigers Jaw and Pity Sex show at Music Hall of Williamsburg, a crowd member jumped on stage and kissed the female members of both bands (Brianna Collins and Britty Drake, respectively). Tigers Jaw responded to the man on stage, saying it was a violation of personal space, and later Brianna posted a lengthy statement explaining why you cannot touch people without their consent. Tigers Jaw rightfully received a lot of support for their sentiments (including the majority of the crowd at MHOW), but apparently some did not agree.

Rumors came in that singer Ryan Rockwell of pop punk band Mixtapes allegedly said something along the lines of “Fuck Tigers Jaw, kiss whoever you want” during their set at Warped Tour on Friday (6/20). Ryan hardly responded to the accusation, though after two people had said they witnessed it, Tigers Jaw tweeted, “@RyanRockswelLOL disappointing. You had an opportunity to promote respectful behavior towards others and you did the opposite. Bad look.”

Maura Weaver of Mixtapes since gave a statement to AbsolutePunk where she said:

To clear the air a bit:

First of all, I wanted to say that what Ryan said was wrong and that I’m sorry for it, even if he isn’t.

As many of you may know who know Mixtapes, what was said on stage the other day was meant to be a joke and was said in a sarcastic manner. Ryan corrected himself on stage shortly after.

That being said, there are some things that just shouldn’t be joked about in the first place and sexual assault is one of them. I know personally as I’ve been kissed and touched without permission multiple times on stage and off since being in Mixtapes and having people make light of that or act like it is nothing is super damaging.

I don’t support this in any way and on my behalf, am really sorry that this was said.

Disappointingly, another (broken up) pop punk band The Dangerous Summer fully backed what Ryan said. (Or at least band member Cody Payne, who most likely tweeted that and who has said this kind of thing before, as AbsolutePunk founder Jason Tate pointed out.)

This all comes one week after Wondering Sound posted an article on Warped Tour’s Woman Problem.

Catch Tigers Jaw again on their tour with Touche Amore, whose drummer Elliot Babin is currently playing in Tigers Jaw and also does not tolerate this kind of stuff.