Modest Mouse guitarist removed from tour after alleged inappropriate messages to minor
Guitarist Simon O'Connor was dismissed from Modest Mouse's upcoming tour following accusations that he sent inappropriate Instagram messages to a 17-year-old fan; the band announced a replacement guitarist.
Modest Mouse announced that guitarist Simon O'Connor will not participate in the band’s tour beginning Aug. 4, after a Reddit post alleged he sent inappropriate direct messages to a 17-year-old fan on Instagram. The post claimed O'Connor sent a series of messages, including a meme and an explicit image, after the fan liked his posts. The fan said she reported the incident to members of the indie-music community but received no response.
O'Connor responded on Reddit, stating he opposes any sexual behavior toward minors and that he believed he was being targeted by a person creating multiple social-media accounts. He said he sent a "tasteless meme" and other messages in poor judgement, unsent them once he realized the recipient was not the same individual he had previously encountered, and apologized for the distress caused.
Modest Mouse confirmed the guitarist’s removal via Instagram and said Les Savy Fav guitarist Seth Jabour will fill in for the tour, which runs through Oct. 23.