Hoods vocalist Mikey Hood has addressed the transphobia allegations that recently resulted in multiple European and UK shows from the long-running beatdown hardcore outfit being canceled. In a video statement shared on August 08th, Hood characterized the comments at the center of the controversy as a misinterpreted inside joke and denied that he or Hoods are transphobic.
The controversy stems from a 2025 video that recently resurfaced online, featuring Hood making comments involving tampons and the phrase “earplugs, not rearplugs” during a Hoods performance. Several European and UK venues subsequently announced that they would no longer host the band, citing what they viewed as transphobic content.
Among them was The Music Room in Ipswich, which announced the cancellation of the band’s scheduled appearance while reiterating its stance against discrimination.
“Thursday’s show is now cancelled. Swipe for more. We do not tolerate any kind of Racism, Sexism, Homophobia or Transphobia at the venue I created so the local alternative community has a place to go and be themselves.”
The Anvil in Bournemouth similarly removed Hoods from its scheduled lineup after being made aware of the footage.
“Late last night a video was brought to our attention featuring Hoods with some extremly transphobic content said by one of the band members.
Here at Anvil we would never knowingly support any bands who act in this way. We have always been an inclusive venue and we pride ourselves on that, there is no place for this behaviour in our, or any communtity.”
In his response, Hood explained that the comments came from an incident in which he had found tampons in a men’s restroom and used them as makeshift earplugs before performing. He said the same joke was later referenced onstage and subsequently circulated online in a context he believes misrepresented its intent.
“In no way, shape or form am I transphobic, nor is my band.”
Hood went on to say that the band had already dealt with backlash surrounding the incident in the United States in 2025, including making a statement at the time. He also pointed to the band’s relationships within the trans and non-binary communities as evidence that he does not harbor the beliefs being attributed to him.
“We went and talked to kids. We made way new more friends in the trans community than we ever, you know, and honestly, it’s like it’s not something that’s in my head to go after somebody who is born differently than me.”
He further noted that one of the musicians who has filled in with Hoods is non-binary, arguing that their involvement with the band would not make sense if the group held the views being alleged.
“One of our fill-in members is non-binary. Think about that. Do you think that person would ever fathom the idea of going or playing with the band that he’s been friends with for years now, and knowing that they were in that mindset of hatred, it’s not logical.”
While maintaining that the comments were not intended as an attack against transgender people, Hood also offered an apology to those who felt hurt or offended by them.
“So, with that said, I will apologize. I apologize to all the people I didn’t get to see. All my Belgian friends, all my Dutch friends, all my German friends that we were coming back to see, all my friends in the United Kingdom.”
He also addressed another issue that has resurfaced alongside the controversy: his past support for Donald Trump. Hood acknowledged that photos of him wearing a Trump shirt in 2020 have been circulating, but said he does not believe his political views should be conflated with the allegations against the band.
“And also, if you’re going to post a picture of me in 2020 wearing a fucking Trump shirt, get over it. At this point, I don’t care who you voted for, nor should you give a fuck who I voted for.”
Hood went on to explain that while he stood by his vote at the time, he does not believe that political affiliation defines the band’s approach to its community.
“It’s the same fucking bird. They both suck. But no way in fucking hell was I gonna vote for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. So, with that said, I stand by who I vote for. And if you don’t like it, grow up. That’s petty.”
He closed his statement by emphasizing what he sees as the core principles of the hardcore community and said that Hoods would not tolerate anyone targeting transgender people at one of their shows.
“All these years we’ve been protectors of the people who are different than us in the hardcore, and that’s why we became hardcore kids in the first place is to protect each other. The strong in hardcore always protected the weak.”
“If anybody messed with somebody trans at our show, we would really fuck them up.”
The controversy has already resulted in the cancellation of multiple European and UK appearances, with Hood expressing regret over not being able to perform for longtime friends and supporters in the region. The band has not indicated whether the canceled dates will be rescheduled.
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[Transcribed quotes from ThePRP]
