Modest Mouse removes guitarist Simon O'Connor from North American tour after alleged inappropriate messages to minor

Modest Mouse said on Friday that guitarist Simon O'Connor will not participate in its North American tour that begins Tuesday in Ojai, California. The band added that Les Savy Fav guitarist Seth Jabour will fill in for the shows.

The decision follows a Reddit post on July 26 in which a user identifying as a 17-year-old fan claimed O'Connor, in his 40s, sent an erotic image and comments about bikini photos via Instagram direct message. The user posted screenshots of the exchange, stating they were 16 at the time and that O'Connor’s messages included a sticker reading “Simon calls your bluff, BUZZZ” and a sexually explicit meme. The fan reported that O'Connor later apologized after viewing an Instagram story counting down to the fan’s 17th birthday.

O'Connor responded on Monday with a statement posted on the Modest Mouse subreddit, apologizing to the fan and explaining that he believed the individual was someone who had previously harassed him online. He said he deleted the messages as soon as he realized the mistake and emphasized his opposition to any sexual behavior toward minors.

The band did not comment on O'Connor’s future status with Modest Mouse. O'Connor has been part of the group’s touring lineup since 2021 and appears on the June-released album “An Eraser and a Maze.”