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Modest Mouse Replaces Guitarist Simon O’Connor Amid Allegations Of DMing Minor
Modest Mouse has removed guitarist Simon O'Connor from their upcoming tour after he was accused of sending inappropriate direct messages to a minor. The band confirmed on Instagram that Les Savy Fav guitarist Seth Jabour would replace him for the tour supporting their eighth studio album, An Eraser and a Maze, which begins on Tuesday 4 August in Ojai, California.
The allegations surfaced last weekend when a Reddit user claiming to be 17 said O'Connor had sent her an explicit image and further messages, alleging the exchange began when she was 16 and noting her age was displayed in her social media bio. O'Connor responded on Reddit, denying any intent towards a minor and stating he believed he was messaging someone else — a person he said had repeatedly created fake accounts to harass him online — before realising his mistake and deleting the messages.
In short
- Modest Mouse dropped guitarist Simon O'Connor over inappropriate DM allegations
- Les Savy Fav's Seth Jabour replaces him on the upcoming tour
- O'Connor denies targeting a minor, blames mistaken identity online
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Protecting minors must be the institutional priority, and serious allegations warrant swift action. An adult sending explicit material to a sixteen-year-old constitutes misconduct that no band should associate with, regardless of claimed intent. By removing O'Connor before the tour, Modest Mouse demonstrates that child safeguarding takes precedence over individual careers and shows their audience they take such allegations seriously. The precautionary principle reasonably applies when credible allegations involving minors emerge.
The case against
O'Connor's explanation—that he mistakenly messaged the wrong person due to ongoing harassment and fake accounts—presents a plausible alternative account deserving investigation before career-ending action. Without due process or opportunity to present evidence of his harassment claims, the swift public removal risks unfairly punishing someone who may himself be a victim of manipulation. The presumption of innocence and proportionality matter, particularly when the accused claims he was deliberately targeted by someone creating false accounts to trick him into messaging a minor.
Explained simply
Modest Mouse is an American rock band formed in the 1990s, known for songs such as “Float On”. The group has released eight studio albums and tours with musicians who perform its songs live.
Simon O’Connor was the band’s guitarist for the upcoming tour, which supports its latest album. Seth Jabour, guitarist with the band Les Savy Fav, has been named as his replacement.
The allegation concerns direct messages reportedly exchanged between O’Connor and a person who says she was 17, and that the exchange began when she was 16. O’Connor has denied intending to message a minor and said he believed he was contacting someone else; the accounts of the exchange differ.
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