Old Wounds guitarist Zak Kessler reportedly exits band
[Photo by: Aaron Kudler]
Old Wounds guitarist Zak Kessler has announced that he will no longer be performing with the band in light of their forthcoming shows with Tourniquet.
As reported by the PRP, Kessler took to social media to explain that Tourniquet’s Tyler Burns is an “abusive person outed by multiple women,” and in his belief to side with “women, survivors and fellow queer identifying people,” he explains that Old Wounds and Good Fight have decided to continue on without him.
Read more: Old Wounds vocalist exits band
He goes on to explain that there are no founding members left in Old Wounds and he will no longer be playing anymore shows or on any new recordings.
Read his statement, shared by the PRP, below:
“The subject of abuse and assault is not something that should be taken lightly. When a problematic and abusive person is outed by multiple women, it cannot be ignored. I’m speaking directly about Tourniquet and Tyler Burns. This was intentionally kept quiet and I’m not going to let that happen anymore. If you support Tourniquet then please remove yourself from my life.
Hundreds of women live through what Alex Andra and multiple others have lived through everyday, and they are always met with opposition. People would rather condemn a woman for being crazy or mentally unstable than believe that a man in this community is capable of such things. Standing up for marginalized people doesn’t come to a limit, nor does standing up for what you believe in.
I will forever side with women, survivors, and fellow queer identifying people. I will never be complicit in abuse apology. I will never will be complicit with misogyny. With all of this being said, Old Wounds and Good Fight have decided to continue on without me.
There are no founding members left in Old Wounds. I’m not playing anymore shows, I’m not playing on any new recordings. And I’m not fucking sorry for standing up for what I believe is right. Nobody will ever keep me quiet.”
The band are currently set to perform with Tourniquet as support for Eighteen Visions and Knocked Loose in Baltimore and New York in December.
������������������EAST COAST RAGE������������������in Baltimore & New York with these radicals… #sopitted @knockedloose @oldwoundsnj @tourniquethc pic.twitter.com/o0BJtLtyFo
— Eighteen Visions (@18v_official) September 25, 2017
In response to Kessler’s statement, Emily McKern shared a statement on Facebook, explaining that the band kicked out their last original member for publicly condemning this abuse and showing her support for Kessler’s decision:
“When Tourniquet was added to their upcoming tour, Old Wounds and Good Fight Records were informed that a member of the band was a known abuser and asked to act accordingly. One woman’s account of enduring abuse was not enough “proof,” nor were the following three public statements from women who either witnessed or survived this abuse.
This band has not only refused to “stand with you” but has worked so hard to stay silent and neutral despite all their posturing as feminist allies that they’ve kicked out their last original member for publicly condemning this abuse.
Tourniquet includes a known abuser. Old Wounds and Good Fight Records are aware of this and have chosen to continue promoting the tour regardless.
The people OW claims to defend are the most at risk in this complicity.
I encourage you to question your support.
If you don’t revoke your support, I encourage you to question your morality.”
At the end of last year, Old Wounds vocalist Kevin Iavaroni announced his departure from the band.
