With Confidence part ways with guitarist Luke Rockets amidst sexual misconduct allegations

[Photo by: Brandon Lung]

Following sexual misconduct allegations surfacing online, With Confidence have parted ways with guitarist Luke Rockets.

Read their statement in full below:

Late last night an allegation came to our attention about our guitarist Luke Rockets. Luke Rockets is no longer a member of With Confidence.

We are passionate about music being a safe space for people of all ages and are extremely disappointed and disgusted. We had absolutely no idea this had happened.

This sort of abuse of power has been all too prevalent in today's industry. It is in these circumstances that people need to be completely stripped of that power and held accountable for their actions.

We support and have endless respect for the individual who has come forward and ask that everyone respect their right to privacy.

Unfortunately we will not be able to complete the remainder of our US tour. We apologise but ask for your understanding.

We will continue to do whatever we can to support and empower all those who have supported us.

With Confidence

Statement regarding Luke Rockets pic.twitter.com/RCj3njzQPZ

— With Confidence (@withconfidence_) November 13, 2017

This response is following allegations, posted by Piper Vidler, that Rockets sent inappropriate comments via social media asking about “kinks and other adult concepts” to her friend who was, at the time, 14 years old. We reached out to Vidler and are reporting her comments with her consent.

I’d like to make it clear, that my friend never sent any explicit photos, or responded to his advances. However, the weight of the influence that he had on her, someone that she admired greatly, was too heavy for her to ever directly say no, even when she felt uncomfortable… These actions of a 23 year old man who knew well that he could take advantage of a 14 year old girl this way are appalling. It got to a point where my friend was so sure that he’d attempt something inappropriate with her in person next time they saw each other, that we sold the tickets we had for their next show and did not end up going.

You can read her statement in full here.

In response to the allegations, With Confidence will not be appearing at the last six shows of their US tour with Knuckle Puck.

Due to information that has come to light, With Confidence will not be appearing at the last six shows of our US tour.

We support those affected by recent allegations. pic.twitter.com/6eXK3K1TMv

— Knuckle Puck (@KnucklePuckIL) November 13, 2017

These accusations against Rockets follow the allegations against Brand New's Jesse Lacey, who was accused of following allegations made on Facebook.