Last week, political punk rock band Anti–Flag abruptly announced their disbanding. The news left fans and followers of the band reeling, particularly as it was accompanied by the deletion of all their official social media accounts and website. With no explanation offered for the sudden decision, speculation began to swirl.
Anti-Flag chose Patreon as the platform to announce their breakup, stating, “Anti-Flag has disbanded. The Patreon has been switched into a mode where it will no longer charge the monthly fee.”
This Tuesday, both the band – comprised of Pat Thetic, Chris “#2” Barker, Chris Head – and frontman Justin Sane, aka Justin Geever, released separate statements regarding the breakup.
The drama intensified with allegations of sexual assault against an unnamed singer. Brooklyn Vegan magazine reported that many online users suggested Anti-Flag’s frontman, Justin Sane, as the unnamed figure. Sane vehemently denied these accusations, describing them as “categorically false” and citing the impossibility of continuing the band under such circumstances as the reason for Anti-Flag’s sudden disintegration.
The accusations originated from an episode of the “Enough.” podcast released on the day of Anti-Flag’s breakup. In the episode, a guest recounted a chilling story of sexual assault involving an anonymous frontman of an east coast political punk band. Though the accused was not explicitly named, the narrative shared uncanny parallels with Justin Sane.
Justin Sane’s Rebuttal
Sane responded to the allegations in a statement, saying, “Recently, there have been claims of sexual assault made against me, and I can tell you that these stories are categorically false. I have never engaged in a sexual relationship that was not consensual, nor have I ever been approached by a woman after a sexual encounter and been told I had in any way acted without her consent or violated her in any way.”
He added that sexual assault is real and devastating, and stated that he has dedicated his life to standing up for victims of oppression, inequality, and abuse. He categorically denied the allegations, expressing that they went against his beliefs and his actions throughout his life.
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Bandmates’ Response
The remaining members of Anti-Flag released a separate statement, stating, “A core tenet of the band Anti-Flag is to listen to and believe all survivors of sexual violence and abuse. The recent allegations about Justin are in direct contradiction to that tenet. Therefore, we felt the only immediate option was to disband.”
They acknowledged being shocked, confused, saddened, and heartbroken upon hearing the allegations, noting they had never witnessed Sane acting violently or aggressively towards women. They apologized for their delayed response and expressed empathy for all survivors of sexual assault as they navigate this new reality.
What’s Next for Anti-Flag?
It’s unclear what the future holds for the individual members of Anti-Flag and their music. Their latest album, ‘Lies They Tell Our Children,’ released in 2023, reached number six on the German Album Charts, with their last performance taking place in Germany on June 24. A planned North American tour has been cancelled.
What remains certain is that Anti-Flag’s unexpected dissolution, coupled with serious sexual assault allegations, has left a profound impact on their fans and the music industry alike. As the dust settles and the band members navigate their separate paths, many are left with mixed emotions and an uncertain future.
