CONTENT WARNING: The following article discusses sexual assault
Sam Margin, frontman of Aussie indie-rockers The Rubens, has shared details of an alleged incident of sexual assault he experienced while on tour with the band.
Speaking on the latest episode of The Ferg Neal Show, Margin was asked if fans have ever groped him during performances.
Explaining that he has been groped multiple times during his career, Margin went on to share the story of a woman who allegedly sexually assaulted him.
“I’ve had a woman come up to me and grab me directly in the crotch,” he said.
“When we were at the merch desk signing merch, this woman just came up and was just like [makes grunting, grabbing noise]. I got her kicked out.
“It was years ago, so I’m comfortable saying it. I was shocked, and then I was like, ‘What would happen if the sexes were reversed?’ Jail. ‘All right, you’re out!'”
Speaking about his experiences with crowdsurfing, Margin said, “When I’m crowdsurfing, you’re kind of asking for an accidental grope, at least.
“If I’m crowdsurfing on my front, which I’ve often done before, so I’m kinda like swimming through the crowd — people have to hold you up, and they don’t know what they’re grabbing — so that’s dangerous. On your back’s alright, and some people definitely just go for an ass grab.”
Margin said that despite his negative experiences with some fans, most of the band’s followers have been well-behaved.
“Generally, again, honestly, our fans are pretty sweet. In five years, I’ve been sexually abused once,” he said, before laughing with his bandmates.
The Rubens have just wrapped up an east coast tour in support of their latest single ‘Million Man’.
You can hear their full interview on The Ferg Neal Show right here.
