This Saturday in the D.C. area, a skinhead band called Offensive Weapon is scheduled to play a show. But good luck finding out where it’s taking place. Originally scheduled at Columbia Heights dive The Pinch, the gig was relocated because Offensive Weapon is allegedly sympathetic with neo-fascist groups.
On Facebook, a Belgian record label called Pure Impact posted an invitation to the now-moved show. That record label doesn’t make a secret of its white-supremacist bent: It’s described in Google search results as a “record label specializing in music and bands with a white race pride theme,” and it sells recordings by bands affiliated with the white-power Rock Against Communism movement. Offensive Weapon, which is from New York, released its self-titled record on Pure Impact and Crowbar Records. It also released a split 7-inch record with a group whose fans have been photographed giving Nazi salutes at their shows.
It’s not clear whether or not Offensive Weapon identifies as a neo-fascist band. When asked via email to clarify its views, the group did not respond. Previously, Offensive Weapon’s vocalist has been pictured wearing a T-shirt that says “ANTI ANTIFA,” a statement against the international anti-fascist network.
On its Facebook page Wednesday, the band posted, “THIS SATURDAY IN WASHINGTON DC. DESPITE THE LEFTIES BEST EFFORTS THE SHOW IS GOING ON AS PLANNED. MESSAGE FOR DETAILS.” Pinch co-owner Carlos Eyster did not return a request for comment. But another individual with knowledge of the show says the Pinch canceled the event because its operators became concerned that Offensive Weapon could present a problem for the venue. (Though the band has played D.C. before, at a bar on 9th Street NW.)
Some of the other acts on Saturday’s bill—including The Wolverines and Lonewolf—publicly describe themselves as “patriotic.”
According to Brooklyn Vegan, Offensive Weapon played a show at New York’s Acheron last year that prompted the venue to later apologize.