Former Misfits Vocalist Michale Graves’ Texas Show Canceled Over Proud Boys Ties

Michale Graves, former vocalist of punk band The Misfits, has had his April 11 show at Fat Daddy’s in Mansfield, TX, canceled following backlash from local residents over his past ties to the far-right nationalist group, the Proud Boys, according to The Dallas Morning News.

The venue cited “unforeseen circumstances” as the reason for the cancellation but addressed community concerns in a Facebook post:

“We understand this news may come as a disappointment to some, and we appreciate the input and feedback we have received from our community. Our goal has always been to provide a welcoming, enjoyable space for live music, great entertainment, and good times. While we strive to remain neutral in all things, we also want to ensure that our staff, customers, and performers feel comfortable and free from harassment.”

Braili Tomah, director of retail operations for AngMar Retail Group, which owns the venue, told The Dallas Morning News that the decision wasn’t made lightly and came after receiving pressure from concerned residents:

“We did not want to cancel him at all. We were only trying to protect our staff, including myself, from the harassment.”

Graves’ connections to the Proud Boys have sparked controversy before. He performed at a January 6, 2021, rally in Washington, D.C., and later planned to play for members of the group at an Airbnb, as he told The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. He also testified on behalf of the Proud Boys during their 2023 sedition trial, which resulted in former leader Henry “Enrique” Tarrio and other members being convicted of attempting to disrupt the transfer of presidential power.

Organizations like the Anti-Defamation League classify the Proud Boys as a hate group, citing their promotion of misogynistic, anti-immigrant, Islamophobic, anti-LGBTQ+, antisemitic, and white supremacist ideologies.

In an email to The Dallas Morning News, Graves dismissed the backlash, stating:

“I haven’t done anything wrong at all. I have become a symbol of all the bad things these people think they are fighting.”

Currently on an acoustic tour, Graves has faced multiple cancellations due to his affiliations, including a recent show in Pittsburgh.

“I have lost tens of thousands of dollars because of this. They contact venues and make up lies about me and harass and threaten people until they capitulate to the demands of these lunatics.”

In a previous interview with The Post-Gazette, Graves denied being a white supremacist and defended the Proud Boys, stating:

“I’m not a Nazi. I’m not a hateful person. There’s no coordinated effort to stamp out people who are different. That’s not going on. I would immediately distance myself from it and call it out wherever I saw it.”

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