Modest Mouse Simon O’Connor Dropped From Tour Following Reddit Allegations

American indie rock veterans Modest Mouse have officially removed guitarist Simon O’Connor from their upcoming autumn tour following allegations that he sent inappropriate Instagram messages to a sixteen-year-old fan. In a statement published on 31 July, the band confirmed that the musician would not be joining them for their upcoming live dates, revealing that Seth Jabour of Les Savy Fav will step in to handle guitar duties instead. The brief announcement made no direct reference to the social media controversy, leaving fans wondering whether the line-up change is a temporary arrangement or a permanent split for the Modest Mouse Simon O’Connor partnership.

For context, the sudden decision came just days after an anonymous Reddit user shared unverified screenshots in the r/ModestMouse online forum around 27 July. The fan alleged that O’Connor had contacted her on Instagram when she was a teenager, sharing images of private conversations to support her claims. No official law enforcement agency or legal body has launched a formal investigation into the matter, and the screenshots have not been independently authenticated by external investigators.

Reddit Allegations Surround The Modest Mouse Simon O’Connor Controversy

Responding directly to the online uproar within the same Reddit community, O’Connor released a lengthy personal statement denying any predatory intent and framing the exchange as a bizarre case of mistaken identity. The guitarist insisted that he unequivocally opposes any sexual behaviour toward minors, explaining that he had been subjected to relentless online harassment from a recurring fake profile over several years. Believing the user in question was the same long-time troll baiting him, he admitted to acting with poor judgement by firing off what he described as a tasteless meme and a sticker reading ‘Simon calls your bluff’. He added that he realised his mistake within minutes, promptly unsent the messages, and cut off all communication.

In his forum response, the musician offered a direct apology to the individual involved, acknowledging that they did not deserve to be dragged into such a messy situation or subjected to sudden public scrutiny. He wrote that he understood why some observers might choose not to believe his explanation, stating that he simply wanted to take responsibility for his misstep and tell his side of the truth. It was a wild situation that blew up almost overnight, leaving the group with little choice but to manage the fallout before hitting the road.

Lineup Changes Follow The Modest Mouse Simon O’Connor Separation

The ambiguity surrounding O’Connor’s exact status within the group has only added to the ongoing speculation among music journalists. While several industry outlets have referred to him purely as a touring guitarist, others have listed him as a core band member since he joined the setup in 2021. He played guitar on the group’s latest full-length record An Eraser and a Maze, which dropped on 5 June as their first studio album in five years. A representative for the band declined to comment further when approached by reporters, leaving the permanent future of the group shrouded in uncertainty.

With frontman Isaac Brock remaining as the sole original member of the veteran alt-rock outfits, the band is pushing forward with its scheduled live commitments. Replacement guitarist Seth Jabour is set to make his live debut when the tour resumes at the Libbey Bowl in Ojai, California, before the band heads north to play the high-profile Outside Lands festival in San Francisco on 7 August. Whether the group will ever formally address the allegations on stage remains anyone’s guess.