Drummer Quits Trapt for “Primarily Political” Reasons
Trapt drummer Michael Smith has quit the band.
In a statement, Smith says that “There have been some ongoing issues (primarily political)” in the band, and that “The stances taken… are not representative of myself… nor fitting or aligned with my personal morals and beliefs.” He also says that he does “not agree with how certain things have been handled towards our fans and the music community who I have such an immense respect for.”
Smith is undoubtedly referencing the behavior of Trapt frontman Chris Taylor Brown, who became a lightning rod of controversy last year when he started disseminating pro-Trump propaganda on social media. This included asserting that George Floyd was responsible for his own murder and endorsing the far-right, neo-fascist, male-only organization known as the Proud Boys. In the process, Brown managed to piss off a sizable portion of the metal community, including Danny Diablo, Body Count’s Ice-T, and Power Trip’s Riley Gale, to name but a few of his more vocal opponents.
But the end of 2020, Trapt had been suspended from both Facebook and Twitter. As of this writing, neither of those accounts have been restored.
Trapt’s most recent album, Shadow Work, was released in June, and sold a paltry 600 copies in its first week of release.
You can read Smith’s statement below:
“After playing drums for Trapt for the past couple years, I have decided to step down from the band. This is definitely a bittersweet decision. There have been some ongoing issues (primarily political) throughout 2020 that many of you may know about, others may not. If you’re curious, it’s just a google search away. I respect everyone’s right to have an opinion on politics. But at the end of the day, I am a musician and my job is to play and create music. So that is what I plan on doing.
“As I still communicate and have great relationships with the guys in the band, I will only speak for myself. The stances taken, and publicity received as a result are not representative of myself. Not as an individual, nor fitting or aligned with my personal morals and beliefs. I do not agree with how certain things have been handled towards our fans and the music community who I have such an immense respect for.
“I would not be able to have a career in music and/or be fortunate enough to sustain my livelihood without the amazing support of everybody involved (from fans to venue staff, to musician peers, etc.) So thank you to those out there who have been a part of supporting and enabling me to use my gifts and talents, and allowing me to press forward in my musical journey.
“It has been one of the best periods in my life the past couple years. But when it comes down to it, I do not agree with a lot of things morally and the publicity the band has received, mainly this past year in 2020…It is time for me to move on and pursue other avenues and projects.
“A huge thank you to everyone who has supported my musical journey thus far…
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[via The PRP]
