LINCOLN, Neb. — Local hardcore frontman Troy Burgess spoke out during a show last night against the constant abuse perpetrated against female members of the scene, unaware that a large group of women are currently planning to out him for multiple sexual assaults.
“As men, we need to do better to protect everyone in the scene from the scumbugs and dirtballs that treat shows like some sort of meat market,” said Burgess during his band’s headlining set, neglecting the fact that, on a recent tour, he coerced a fan into performing oral sex on him. “You don’t have to remain silent anymore. We will listen; I will listen to you when you need a shoulder to cry on. To all the women out there, this song is called ‘Got Your Back.’”
Burgess has been a staple of the midwest hardcore scene for the past eight years, equally well-known for playing in his band Hippocrates and abusing dozens of women.
“There have been rumors about him being a creep for years, but nobody has ever outwardly accused him of anything. That will change soon,” said one of the many women Burgess has assaulted, who requested anonymity until she officially comes forward. “So many women have a story about Troy — some of them are very upsetting, some of them are just super embarrassing for him. I can think of like, six women with the same story about him being too drunk to get it up even though he claims to be straight edge. It’ll be fun to see him try to defend that.”
For their part, Burgess’ bandmates maintain they’ve been “completely in the dark” about their frontman’s unsavory behavior, despite their constant close proximity due to touring and sharing a three-bedroom apartment.
“I have never heard anyone say anything bad about Troy. Yeah, some of the girls he’s brought over seemed a little bit young, but he said he’s giving them guitar lessons in his bedroom, and I believe him,” said Hippocrates bass player Sal Brewer after the show. “I’m always more worried that people are going to find out he is actually super racist. So I guess we’ll see where this goes.”
Burgess concluded the set by encouraging the crowd to “believe women,” but also reminded those in attendance that “this is America, and people are innocent until proven guilty.”