Death from Above bassist Jesse Keeler has responded in a lengthy Facebook post to an article on Medium that suggested that he is a member of an organization known as The Proud Boys, led by Vice co-founder Gavin McInnes. Earlier this week Kurt Schwitterz posted an article detailing Keeler’s friendship with McInnes, claiming that the two were hanging out on election night and that Keeler is a member of The Proud Boys, who refer to themselves as a pro-western men’s fraternal organization.
Keeler responded in the post by explaining how he initially met McInnes when he was still working for Vice Records, who helped distribute the first Death From Above 1979 album in America in 2004. While the two remained friendly with one another, he states that they were by no means close friends. When McInnes started his video podcast he asked Keeler to be a guest, and he obliged him, despite the fact that many people began to distance themselves from McInnes. Keeler then went on to mention how we wound up spending election night with McInnes, as he had been invited to be on his talk show and attend his election night party.
He felt a certain sense of morbid curiosity in what McInnes was up to and wanted to see for himself what was going on. He then proceeded to explain that he does not agree with McInnes’ promoting of “a form of radical politics.” He also points out in the post his mixed ancestry — his mother was originally from India — and his struggles as a mixed-race child. Finally, Keeler again reiterated “that I am not “Alt-Right,” nor a White Supremacist. The facts are I am a mixed race father of two and a musician.” He then apologizes for putting his friends and family in such an awkward position.
Death from Above (formerly Death From Above 1979) first emerged with 2004’s excellent debut You’re Woman, I’m a Machine, which featured their intoxicating blend of distorted bass grooves and slamming drums and their ravenous live performances. Eventually, the band broke up in 2006 but got back together for reunion in 2011, releasing a new album in the form of The Physical World in 2014. The duo continued to tour the world and just recently released new record, the blazing rock of Outrage is Now! which has been generating positive reviews from critics. The group is currently burning across North America on a string of tour dates in support of the new record. Additionally, the band has also recently announced a new set of tour dates with the legendary At the Drive-In.
Photo credit Marisa Rose Ficara
Editor’s Note: A previous version of this story included incorrect implications that McInnes and The Proud Boys are an “Alt-Right” organization that espouses white nationalist views. These references have been removed.
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