Beartooth's Caleb Shomo Comes Out as Gay
WHAT THEY SAID
"I am a proudly gay man." * Beartooth frontman Caleb Shomo posted the statement on Instagram Saturday, ending months of speculation after he'd temporarily deleted his accounts following homophobic harassment over the band's "Free" video.
THE DETAILS
- Shomo said he spent a decade burying his feelings with alcohol before getting sober and confronting his sexuality *
- The "Free" single dropped in February with a pop-leaning sound and flashy visuals that drew both praise from Disturbed's David Draiman (who compared Shomo to Bowie and Mercury) and a homophobic joke from Attila's Chris Fronzak, who later apologized *¶
- Beartooth's new album *Pure Ecstasy* drops August 28, and Shomo says he refused to water down any part of himself on it — musically, lyrically, or visually *§
- The band hits the road in November for a U.S. headliner with Don Broco, Magnolia Park, and Windwaker §
WHO IS RIGHT
Draiman nailed it. Shomo's doing what the greats did — taking risks, pushing boundaries, and refusing to shrink himself for anyone's comfort. Fronzak's "joke" was garbage, apology or not.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
The real test is whether *Pure Ecstasy* delivers on Shomo's promise to show up fully himself — and whether the scene can handle it.