The indie rock band behind hits like "Float On" and "Dashboard" announced the lineup change in an Instagram post on Friday, July 31. Modest Mouse is scheduled to begin its North American tour on Tuesday, Aug. 4, in Ojai, California.
The band didn't explain why O'Connor was removed from the tour or clarify whether he remains a member.
"Simon O'Connor will not be joining us on the upcoming tour," the band posted. "The good news is that Seth Jabour of Les Savy Fav will be jumping in to play guitar. We look forward to being out there with you all."
The announcement came after a Reddit user accused O'Connor, 42, of sending them "an erotic image" and commenting on their "bikini pics." The user said they were 16 when the photos were taken.
The accusations were posted in the Modest Mouse fan subreddit on Sunday, July 26. The user also shared images of what they claimed to be an Instagram direct message conversation with O'Connor.
According to the screenshots, O'Connor sent and later deleted several messages, including a sexually explicit meme. In one message, he claimed that he "just had a party night and looking at everything with one eye."
In another message, the guitarist apologized, but said that the user "did blindside me with a gaggle of likes and then very little intro besides bikini pics so we are both to blame."
O'Connor responded one day later in a post confirmed by Reddit's moderators.
"I unequivocally oppose any sexual behavior towards minors, as a human and a parent it disgusts me," he wrote.
O'Connor said he mistakenly believed the user was someone who has been "messing with me" for several years.
"This person creates multiple social media accounts and deletes them... but always posts similar photos that I often recognize from previous accounts," he said. "After a long night, I picked my phone up to discover that a similar profile had been interacting ('likes' to be specific) with some of my instagram posts and stories."
He said he realized shortly afterward that he messaged the wrong person.
"I'm genuinely sorry to the person who received those messages," said O'Connor. "They didn't deserve to be put in that position, and I'm sorry for the stress and attention this has brought them. I know some people will choose not to believe me, and I understand that. I can't change what's happened. All I can do is tell the truth, take responsibility for my mistake, and apologize."
O'Connor joined Modest Mouse's lineup in 2021 and appeared on the band's latest album, "An Eraser and a Maze," released in June. He also previously toured with the rock band MGMT and played bass guitar.
Modest Mouse is scheduled to play several Northeast concerts in August and October:
- Aug. 14-16: Hoochenanny Whiskey Festival - Fairport, NY
- Aug. 18: Nationals Park - Washington, DC
- Aug. 19: The Fillmore - Philadelphia
- Aug. 20: Tree House Brewing Company - Deerfield, MA
- Aug. 21: Shelburne Museum - Shelburne, VT
- Oct. 7: Roadrunner - Boston
- Oct. 8: The Rooftop at Pier 17 - New York City
- Oct. 9: Pier Six Pavilion - Baltimore
- Oct. 10: Citizens Live at The Wylie - Pittsburgh
Modest Mouse's tour is scheduled to end in Sacramento, California, on Friday, Oct. 23.
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