Modest Mouse Replaces Guitarist Simon O'Connor Amid Allegations Of DMing Minor
News Source
β’Sun, 02 Aug 2026 17:34:14 +0000
π° What Happened
Indie rock band Modest Mouse has cut ties with guitarist Simon O'Connor following accusations that he sent inappropriate direct messages to a minor. A Reddit user claiming to be 17 detailed the alleged interactions, sharing screenshots of inappropriate memes and messages that O'Connor reportedly sent when she was 16. The band announced that Seth Jabour of Les Savy Fav will fill in on guitar for their upcoming tour supporting their eighth studio album 'An Eraser and a Maze,' which kicks off August 4 in Ojai, California.
π The Backstory
Modest Mouse is a long-running indie rock band known for hits like 'Float On' and has maintained a dedicated fanbase through multiple lineup changes over their decades-long career. The band's eighth studio album 'An Eraser and a Maze' is their latest release, and the tour was highly anticipated by fans. Frontman Isaac Brock has historically been the only constant member through various iterations of the band.
π― Why It Matters
The swift dismissal reflects the music industry's increasing zero-tolerance approach to allegations of inappropriate conduct with minors, particularly in the wake of broader reckoning with misconduct across entertainment. The tour will proceed with minimal disruption thanks to the quick replacement, but the incident adds to Modest Mouse's history of lineup disruptions and could affect the album's promotional cycle.
Indie rock band Modest Mouse has cut ties with guitarist Simon O'Connor following accusations that he sent inappropriate direct messages to a minor. A Reddit user claiming to be 17 detailed the alleged interactions, sharing screenshots of inappropriate memes and messages that O'Connor reportedly sent when she was 16. The band announced that Seth Jabour of Les Savy Fav will fill in on guitar for their upcoming tour supporting their eighth studio album 'An Eraser and a Maze,' which kicks off August 4 in Ojai, California.
Modest Mouse is a long-running indie rock band known for hits like 'Float On' and has maintained a dedicated fanbase through multiple lineup changes over their decades-long career. The band's eighth studio album 'An Eraser and a Maze' is their latest release, and the tour was highly anticipated by fans. Frontman Isaac Brock has historically been the only constant member through various iterations of the band.
The swift dismissal reflects the music industry's increasing zero-tolerance approach to allegations of inappropriate conduct with minors, particularly in the wake of broader reckoning with misconduct across entertainment. The tour will proceed with minimal disruption thanks to the quick replacement, but the incident adds to Modest Mouse's history of lineup disruptions and could affect the album's promotional cycle.