This is a news story that I’m incredibly saddened to relate.

After 19 years, Profane Existence Records is closing down due to financial reasons.

In 1989, Profane Existence was founded with the simple ideal of helping to build a stronger and more politically active punk movement. For nearly two decades they have been involved in helping to motivate and mobilize the DIY and anarchist punk movements.

And they’ve also managed to put out some amazing records.

Thanks to Profane Existence, I know about Appalachian Terror Unit and Mouth Sewn Shut. I am also a member of their Vinyl Retentive Series. The label has been essential in introducing some of the best hardcore and crust punk bands to the world – and they weren’t afraid to be politically educational at the same time.

Profane Existence will be releasing all of the records they currently have in production, then that’s it. Fortunately, this includes the full-length from Appalachian Terror Unit that I have been patiently waiting for – at least the label is going out on top.

I’m already feeling a void in the DIY crust scene coming up. Profane Existence was one of those essential labels for producing and releasing bands with that sound. The number of crust releases is definitely going to take a hit in the near future.

Thanks for making punk a threat again, PE. We’ll miss you.

Essentially, what’s known is this: some sort of altercation took place Saturday between Sex Pistols frontman John Lydon and Bloc Party frontman Kele Okereke, and Okereke was left with severe facial bruising and a split lip.

After that, details get fuzzy.

In two conflicting statements to the UK publication Guardian, the singers have stated their cases.

Okereke alleges it was a racially charged incident. The singer who is of Nigerian descent says he approached Lydon backstage and asked him about the possibility of a PIL reunion, which erupted in a racially charged assault that resulted in Okereke’s injuries.

Lydon’s statement alleges that the incident was not racially motivated, that it was instigated by Okereke, and that the Bloc Party vocalist is a liar seeking publicity.

Okereke’s version of the events is reported here, and Lydon’s response is reported here.

Obviously, it would be irresponsible and in bad form for me to hazard a guess as to what actually took place. I wasn’t there. I don’t know if it’s a matter of a racial incident, a simple disagreement or a few musicians who can’t play nicely together.

However, if I were pressed to make a judgment call based on a gut feeling, I don’t think Lydon is a racist. He can be called many things, and he can be accused of many more. Many would accuse him of staging an incident such as this for the resulting publicity, but the racial allegations simply don’t ring true.

To make that call, I stand on history. After the Sex Pistols, Lydon’s musical career spread to so many different realms, and he experimented with a lot of different sounds. For example, he did work with the legendary hip hop pioneer Afrika Bambaataa, and their collaboration, 1984’s “World Destruction,” remains a great piece of music (Listen/Download).

Essentially, this racial charge doesn’t sit right with me. Had they made the argument that Lydon had picked a fight with Okereke because he was a jerk, I may not have batted an eye; but saying the attack was racially motivated doesn’t sit right with me.

Who knows? I may be proved wrong. One thing is for sure, though; the full story hasn’t played out yet, and we’re probably in for a lot more coverage of this. Lydon wouldn’t want it any other way, would he?

Photo by Stephen Chernin/Getty Images