Guitarist Controversy
Modest Mouse Replaces Guitarist Simon O’Connor After Allegations of Inappropriate Messages Surface
Anonymous
Key Points
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Simon O’Connor joined Modest Mouse in 2021 and has a background with Spiral Heads and previously served as MGMT's touring bassist.
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Seth Jabour, who will step in for O’Connor, is the guitarist for Les Savy Fav and was a member of the house band for Late Night With Seth Meyers.
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The messages at the center of the controversy reportedly included a sexually explicit meme sent to a 16-year-old, with O’Connor later apologizing and saying he believed the account was hacked; he also said he unsent the messages after realizing the mistake.
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Modest Mouse publicly announced O’Connor’s exit on July 31 via Instagram, with Jabour from Les Savy Fav announced as the replacement to jump in for the tour.
Modest Mouse has cut guitarist Simon O'Connor from its upcoming tour after screenshots surfaced showing him sending inappropriate messages — including a sexually explicit meme — to a user who identified herself as 16 years old, according to Rolling Stone. The band announced the lineup change on July 31 via Instagram, confirming that Seth Jabour of Les Savy Fav will step in on guitar for all upcoming dates, including a headlining set at San Francisco's Outside Lands festival on August 7.
O'Connor apologized publicly after the screenshots spread on Reddit and Instagram. He claimed he believed the account belonged to a troll or had been hacked, and said he unsent the messages once he realized his mistake. The band did not comment on his explanation and moved forward with the replacement, per Rolling Stone.
Screenshots Surface, O'Connor Apologizes and Exits
The controversy began when screenshots circulated online showing a conversation between O'Connor and a girl who said she was 16. The messages reportedly included a sexually explicit meme. The images spread quickly across Reddit and Instagram, drawing immediate public backlash, according to Sacramento Bee.
O'Connor responded with a public apology. He said he believed the account was either a troll or had been compromised, and that he unsent the messages as soon as he understood what had happened. Modest Mouse did not address his explanation directly. On July 31, the band confirmed his exit and named his replacement.
Seth Jabour Steps In for Outside Lands and the Tour
Jabour is no stranger to high-profile gigs. He plays guitar for post-punk band Les Savy Fav and spent years as a member of the house band on Late Night With Seth Meyers. His experience makes him a quick and credible fit for Modest Mouse's current run of dates, according to Rolling Stone.
The Outside Lands slot on August 7 is the most prominent stop on the tour. The San Francisco festival is one of the biggest music events on the West Coast. With Jabour now locked in, the band's schedule moves forward without interruption, per Fresno Bee.
Who Is Simon O'Connor and What Comes Next
O'Connor joined Modest Mouse in 2021. Before that, he played with the Spiral Heads and served as MGMT's touring bassist. He is not an original member of the band, but had been part of the lineup for several years before the allegations emerged, according to Rolling Stone.
His future with the band beyond the current tour remains unclear. Modest Mouse has not said whether the split is permanent. The band's statement focused entirely on Jabour joining and the shows going ahead — no door was left open for O'Connor's return, per Head Topics.
Bands Face Faster Fallout When Misconduct Goes Public
The speed of Modest Mouse's response reflects a broader pattern in the music industry. When screenshots or allegations spread online, bands now act within days — sometimes hours. From the first reports to O'Connor's exit took less than a week, showing how quickly social media can force a lineup decision, according to Yahoo.
The incident puts pressure on other acts to monitor member conduct more closely. For Modest Mouse, the immediate priority is clear: keep the tour running, protect the band's reputation, and let Jabour's guitar work speak for itself at Outside Lands.
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