Modest Mouse guitarist Simon O'Connor has published a fuller account after allegations emerged on Reddit that he sent inappropriate messages to a minor via Instagram, claiming he mistook the fan for a different person who has repeatedly created fake accounts to "mess with" him over the years. He says that after "a long night" he noticed a similar-looking profile interacting with his posts and, believing it to be this recurring antagoniser, responded with a "tasteless meme" and a jokey message, only to realise minutes later he had targeted the wrong person, at which point he unsent the messages and stopped contact.

The original Reddit post described a fan, who was 16 at the time with her age listed in her bio, receiving a suggestive meme and an "erotic image" from O'Connor late at night after she had liked several of his stories; he reportedly cited tiredness and partying before one message was unsent. O'Connor's statement, posted on the same platform, apologises for the "stress and attention this has brought" the fan, insists he takes responsibility for his mistake, and acknowledges some people may not believe his explanation. He has been a member of Modest Mouse since 2021 and featured on the band's latest album, 'An Eraser And A Maze', released in June.