WHAT THEY SAID
“While it was a toxic culture for boys, it was so much worse for girls and I am deeply sorry for contributing to that.” * Parkway Drive bassist Jia O’Connor issued the apology following an ABC News investigation into predatory behavior in the early 2000s Byron Bay metalcore scene.
THE DETAILS
- The rap songs O’Connor produced before joining Parkway Drive contained lyrics suggesting rape and referenced abusing children *
- O’Connor said the songs were written by insecure teenagers trying to mimic Eminem and NWA without understanding consequences, and many were never meant to be published *
- The controversy follows the conviction of Parkway Drive’s former merch manager Jed Gordon, who received 300 hours of community service for sexual offenses with a 15-year-old girl while in his early 20s *
- Singer Winston McCall issued an emotional video apology in March calling for the scene to do better by women *
WHO IS RIGHT
O’Connor is right to apologize — the lyrics are indefensible regardless of intent or influence. But the “we were just kids imitating rap” excuse rings hollow when the content specifically targeted women and girls in their own community.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
The ABC investigation continues with multiple women speaking out about the scene’s predatory culture *†.