Reflections Lose Two Members Because Their Vocalist is a Bootlicking “ICE Apologist”
The extremely fraught situation here in the states involving immigration enforcement forces and the disappearing or sometimes straight up murder of citizens and non-citizens enough seems like it’s almost at its fever pitch. Like the whole country’s a powder keg ready to go up with the smallest spark. In fact, the situation is so volatile that it’s caused progressive metalcore outfit Reflections’ bassist Francis Xayana and guitarist Patrick “Patty” Somoulay” to quit the band.
According to comments made on their respective Instagram profiles, the problem seems to be vocalist Jake Wolf, who apparently approves of the class-sponsored terrorism that Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers are conducting in places like Minneapolis by violating rights and ending lives.
I’m sure I don’t have to tell you, but the shit that’s going on in U.S. streets under the guise of “public safety” is despicable. How can it be about safety when everyday we hear of elderly women getting pushed onto the sidewalk, toddlers needing getting tear gassed in their family vehicle, and two American citizens getting gunned down for nothing. It was only a matter of time before this sort of thing caused a rift in a band, whose members may have differences in opinion. And with Reflections calling Minnesota home, it makes even more sense that two members would up and quit over this.
Xayana had this to say about the situation with Wolf:
“Jake [Wolf] has always had control of the band. There’s a reason Patty [Somoulay] left even though he is the primary writer. Jake is an ICE apologist and I will not fuck with someone like that.
“I don’t give a flying fuck what we’ve been through. I cannot trust a person who thinks this is necessary. And honestly fuck you if you support this ICE shit. You’re a fucking bitch. And instead of getting into your fucking feelings y’all should have been listening to Black voices this entire time.
“Now when a white person is killed in the same form they’ve experienced for centuries, we are at end game. There is no going back. This is the beginning of the end if people continue to turn a blind eye. He’s going to kill anyone who opposes him.”
Somoulay had a much shorter statement on the matter:
“I am no longer a part of Reflections.
A lot of stuff happening in life lately where it just does not feel okay to continue on with this myself.
Also f**k ICE.
This isn’t the country my family wanted to risk their lives to come to.”
Wolf has yet to comment on the situation.
