Ronnie Radke Absolutely Loses It On Australian Officials Over Mayor Controversy

Falling In Reverse frontman Ronnie Radke has responded strongly to the backlash surrounding Launceston, Tasmania mayor Matthew Garwood. The controversy arose after Garwood attended a Falling In Reverse meet & greet and shared his experience on social media.

Garwood posted about the meet & greet on Facebook earlier this week, expressing admiration for Radke’s journey in the music industry. However, due to Radke’s controversial past and outspoken nature on social media, Garwood soon faced criticism from fellow Launceston City Council members and concerned citizens.

In his original post, Garwood wrote:

“Maybe one of the most controversial characters in my generation of the hard rock music scene

Through Escape the Fate and now Falling in Reverse – Ronnie Radke!

Through changes and empathising general and personal challenges – was awesome to spend some time together and talk all things Tassie and personal growth and learning.

Always a mic drop moment when I get to play the “Mayor card.”

Haters keep coming strong but strength is in believing in yourself, the support around you and the resilience to carry on.

*new collab dropping 2026!”

However, following the backlash, Garwood issued an apology, clarifying that he did not intend to endorse Radke’s past actions or personal views. He stated:

“As a heavy metal music fan, I headed off to Falling in Reverse meet and greet and I’m really disheartened that my post has caused some offence and concern. Noting that I absolutely could have worded and responded to it way better.

I attended not as an official rep of the City and posted on this, my personal page but, as I continue to learn, it seems that it’s difficult to differentiate or have a personal life in an elected role.

I saw this as simply an opportunity to meet a band that I went through high school listening to. Never to endorse any specific actions or personal positions of the band. I appreciate that people may have differing views on this, and I respect those perspectives.

I made a comment about “playing the mayor card”, which I said as a quip that my role as mayor is a pretty cool conversation starter – particularly visually in this situation with tattoos etc.

I understand that some members of the community have raised questions about Ronnie Radke’s past and my association with him. I was aware of some of the accusations but not every detail – it was about the music.

Sorry, I never want to cause distress or upset members of the community. As Mayor, I know I do things a bit differently and I remain committed to representing all residents of Launceston with integrity and openness.”

Radke, never one to hold back, responded on March 21st, targeting Australian public broadcaster ABC for their coverage of the situation. He stated:

“Imagine ABC news grasping at straws since their ratings are so bad they have to do articles about the mayor of Tasmania taking a picture with me. Hey @ABC I’m bigger than you. And have more of an impact. Ain’t nothing y’all propagandists can do. F*** you.”

Shortly after, Radke posted a five-minute video attacking both ABC and city council members who criticized Garwood. He directly addressed one council member, stating:

“You’re a disgrace to your entire city and town and I’m gonna make sure that you f***ing feel this one.”

Radke also defended himself, reiterating that DNA evidence had cleared him of past allegations and highlighting a lawsuit he won against his accuser. He then accused the media and politicians of hypocrisy, citing how other musicians with checkered pasts, such as Mötley Crüe’s Tommy Lee, were not met with the same level of scrutiny:

“You guys don’t say a fing word when Tommy Lee comes to town, do you? But he had to go to jail for beating the s out of his girlfriend or wife or whatever.”

Radke went further, sharing the email and phone number of a city council member who was quoted in ABC’s report. He lashed out, saying:

“You want to talk about fing equality b**? Why am I not included? You fing Lego-headed b****. Meanwhile, here’s me in Australia, boosting your fing economy, and doing 5 to 600,000 dollars a night in f**ing merch and bringing kids onstage that asked me at the meet & greet if they could sing a song with me.”

Continuing his tirade, Radke labeled ABC a “propaganda machine” and took aim at the council members who spoke against him:

“And to the guy, the mayor of Tasmania, or whatever, what’s up man? The motherfer just came through the meet & greet to take a picture and come see the show and he was really excited. I fing hate politics and I fing hate all you pieces of s out there that judge like this. Let this be a lesson, because this is not the end.”

Radke also touched on his claims of exposing alleged pedophiles in the music industry, suggesting that some politicians might be involved in similar misconduct. He concluded with:

“F*** ABC news, f*** all these councilmen in Australia, f*** this s***, dude. F*** you guys. I boosted your fing economy. I fing made a bunch of kids happy. I made a bunch of fing grown men & fing women crying fing happy at my meet & greets and at my shows — fing giant arenas sold out — when’s the last time you ever did anything for your fing city, except sit around and b** and complain. F** you.”

---

Do you love independent bands, or are you in one? The Mosh Network is not just a rock/metal news website, but it doubles as an independent band directory, designed so that visitors can browse independent bands by not just subgenre, but location as well. It’s perfect to keep your finger on the pulse of your area’s hottest and newest bands or if you’re in a band, it’s a great way to find bands to network with! Click the banner below and start discovering bands all over the world, now!