Simon O'Connor, guitarist for Modest Mouse since 2021, has publicly apologised after being accused of sending inappropriate messages, including a sexually explicit meme, to a fan who says they were 16 at the time. The allegations, first posted on the Modest Mouse subreddit, prompted O'Connor to respond directly on the same forum, claiming he had mistaken the fan for a troll who had previously targeted him from fake accounts. The incident raises questions about the conduct of band members towards young fans on social media and how such allegations are addressed publicly.

According to screenshots shared by the fan, O'Connor opened the Instagram exchange with a taunting sticker, then sent a graphic meme and viewed the fan's story counting down to their 17th birthday before writing "sorry." When the fan suggested he might have been hacked, he replied that he had "just had a party night," and in a later deleted message suggested they were "both to blame" before ending with "I did it again." In his apology, O'Connor said he realised his error within minutes, unsent the messages and ceased contact, expressing regret for the stress caused; Pitchfork has contacted Modest Mouse's representatives for comment.