Baltimore hardcore legends End It have made a dramatic U-turn in the ongoing 'Banana Man' saga, inviting the very fan they publicly slated onto the stage at Jera on Air festival in the Netherlands. The electric atmosphere was palpable as frontman Akil Godsey wrapped his arms around the banana-clad fan, putting an end to a month-long controversy that had left fans and social media in a frenzy.
The drama unfolded on June 5 when Godsey singled out 'Banana Man' during a Toronto gig, urging crowd members to 'strip the banana', leaving the original fan feeling uncomfortable. Footage from the event revealed Godsey's harsh words, with the fan later taking to social media to express his discomfort at being treated like a pawn in the band's performance.
Godsey had initially shown no signs of backing down, dismissing critics and claiming the fan hadn't grasped the band's hardcore ethos. 'You haven’t been listening to the band, I don't know what you thought was going on,' he snarked, leaving many questioning the band's priorities. But it seems Godsey has finally seen sense – or at least, is pretending to.
The recent Jera on Air festival saw End It take a bold step towards reconciliation, with Godsey quipping about the unexpected attention they'd received: 'Who’d have thought doing something stupid would get me a month of attention?' The band later shared footage of the on-stage hug, dubbing it 'The great Banana Treaty of Ysselsteyn'. When approached for comment, 'Banana Man' himself responded with an unceremonious 'Yea, nah', leaving many wondering if this marks the end of the saga.
With their debut album 'Wrong Side Of Heaven' released via Flatspot Records in August last year, it's clear End It know how to create a stir. But can they keep the peace from now on? Only time will tell, but one thing is for certain – this drama has only added fuel to the fire of their already passionate fan base.