Southpaw FLHC have addressed the ongoing backlash surrounding the band in a new video, with frontman Daryn LaMontagne pushing back against the criticism while insisting that the group will continue moving forward.
The latest comments come roughly a week after a series of developments resulted in the cancellation of the band’s planned national headlining tour in support of their debut album, ‘The Standard,’ which arrived through Spinefarm Records on July 31st.
The controversy began after photos resurfaced showing drummer Harrison Linder wearing apparel from Curbstomp, a clothing brand that has been associated with Nazi and white supremacist imagery. The photos prompted criticism online, with Resistor and Resist LA subsequently announcing that they would no longer participate in Southpaw FLHC‘s upcoming tour.
The band previously responded to the allegations surrounding Linder, explaining that he was unaware of the meaning and history associated with the apparel.
“He was uneducated on the fact of what it actually meant and stood for. It was a simple mistake.”
Approximately a week later, Southpaw FLHC have returned to social media with a series of posts addressing the situation and highlighting the band’s continued activity.
The first video features LaMontagne working out as screenshots of the band’s streaming numbers appear throughout the clip. The footage shows ‘The Standard’ approaching 830,000 total streams since its release.
The band’s monthly listener count on Spotify has also apparently increased amid the attention surrounding the controversy. According to numbers tracked by Lambgoat, Southpaw FLHC had approximately 170,000 monthly listeners when the initial controversy broke. The band now sits at 176,221, representing an increase of nearly 7,000 listeners over the past week.
A second video, shared yesterday, saw LaMontagne directly address the backlash and defend the band’s history within the hardcore scene.
In the lengthy statement, LaMontagne questioned why the band would continue to deny allegations if they were actually true, while detailing the sacrifices he claims to have made throughout his time in the scene.
“Don’t y’all stupid motherfuckers realize that if we were really a racist band, we would just admit it? What the fuck do we have to lose at this point?”
LaMontagne went on to describe Southpaw FLHC‘s rise from operating independently and booking their own shows to eventually building relationships throughout the country.
“We started with absolutely nothing, built relationships throughout the entire United States, booked our own tours on our own through networking and supporting other bands across the map, whether they fucked with us or not, took it to the highest level we possibly could on our own, became a band, lost it all, and we are still here and it’s not fucking stopping.”
He also criticized those who have voiced their opinions about the band online, arguing that many could have approached the situation directly instead.
“Rather than stepping to us or me or my drummer as a man and asking a simple question and having a conversation like grown adults, you chose to hop on the bandwagon and air out your opinions online.”
LaMontagne further pointed to the personal sacrifices he says he has made for the band and the hardcore scene, arguing that the controversy will not prevent him from continuing to participate.
“I’ve been evicted for this shit. I’ve slept on the floor with cockroaches for this shit. Collectively, I’ve lost years of my life with my own child for the love of this game.”
Addressing the criticism specifically in relation to Linder‘s decision to wear the Curbstomp apparel, LaMontagne reiterated the band’s previous explanation that the drummer did not understand what the clothing represented.
“Did y’all really think that by my drummer making a mistake because he was uneducated about what he was wearing that you’re gonna stop this shit?”
The frontman also suggested that the band intends to continue finding ways to perform despite the cancellation of its upcoming tour, including the possibility of organizing independent events.
“What are you actually gonna do when I roll up to the spot and put on a pop-up show for free and host an event in a random parking lot with permission to be there and the police can’t do anything about it?”
LaMontagne closed the video by claiming that he has kept records of the criticism directed toward the band and suggesting that some of those who have spoken out could eventually be forced to reconsider their positions.
“I’ve learned a lot about all y’all because you’ve shown your true colors online.”
“A lot of y’all are gonna have to eat your words real soon. So you picked your side, stand on it. Best of luck to you. Be blessed.”
The band’s debut album, ‘The Standard,’ remains available now, though Spinefarm Records has yet to publicly comment on the controversy or clarify the label’s current status with Southpaw FLHC.
For the time being, the band appears determined to continue pushing forward despite the canceled tour and ongoing criticism.
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