- Melbourne gang posters systematically attacked
- Mannequin Death Squad singer speaks
A furious Australian punk rock singer has spoken out about a mysterious figure who is secretly sabotaging Melbourne’s live music scene.
Elly Vex, from mannequin death squadposted a video on social media explaining how dozens of his band’s posters on Sydney Road in Brunswick had been systematically damaged overnight, to remove all information about their upcoming gig at Bergy Bandroom on July 6.
“I walked for 20 minutes and about 70 of our signs were scratched,” he said in the clip.
‘So someone doesn’t want people to come to our concert. Someone doesn’t want live music.
Elly, who is from Melbourne and spent much of last year touring Australia and the rest of the world with the band, told Daily Mail Australia that she is “upset and heartbroken” by the bizarre act of vandalism that would have taken “at least one hour”. carry out.
Mannequin Death Squad’s Elly Vex (pictured with bandmate Dan) suspects someone is ‘sabotaging’ Melbourne’s live music scene
Dozens of his band’s posters on Sydney Road, Brunswick Street, were systematically damaged overnight, removing all information about their upcoming gig at the Bergy Bandroom on July 6.
‘We don’t have a big label or a manager, we organize everything ourselves. It’s a lot of work…and we also have full-time jobs. So every dollar is invested in the band,” he said.
‘It costs a lot to do marketing and make posters. So it really affects our income. The artist who made the poster also put in a lot of effort.
“It’s really disappointing and disturbing.”
Although Elly initially feared it may have been a “targeted personal attack”, she noticed that many other bands’ posters were also damaged.
Wild theories have emerged on social media about who could be behind the plot and what their motive could be.
One person claimed that a man with a Stanley knife is regularly seen walking along Brunswick Street and Sydney Road, where a number of trendy bars and restaurants are located, damaging concert posters and other signs.
Others on Facebook speculated that it could have been a rival band playing on the same night.
‘Jealousy can do horrible things. I’m so sorry those morons did that, El,’ one person wrote.
Elly, who is from Melbourne, told Daily Mail Australia she is “upset and heartbroken” by the bizarre act of vandalism which reportedly took “at least an hour” to carry out.
The attack comes as Melbourne’s once thriving live music scene is now struggling to stay afloat.
Liability insurance premiums have soared more than 500 per cent since the Covid pandemic and the extra fees are expected to force half of the city’s live music venues to close or give up booking altogether concerts.
Elly, who started it mannequin death squad with guitarist Dan, said he fears for the future of live music in Melbourne.
“Please come out and see more live music and artists,” he said.
“Because venues are closing all over Melbourne so please support them or we will lose you.”