MCD Productions have confirmed that US band, Brand New, have cancelled their upcoming gig in Dublin's Olympia Theatre this Thursday following allegations of sexual misconduct against lead singer, Jesse Lacey.
According to a recent report in Rolling Stone, in 2002, Jesse, who was 24 at the time, solicited nude images from teenage fans.
One victim asserted: "[Lacey] solicited nudes from me starting when I was 15 and he was 24. Manipulated the hell out of me, demanded specific poses/settings/clothing, demeaned me, and made it clear that my sexuality was the only thing I had to offer."
"I still breakdown and have panic attacks when people play Brand New in a bar," she added.
Jesse's response to the allegations was posted on Facebook over the weekend, and attempted to provide fans and followers with an explanation for his behaviour.
"The actions of my past have caused pain and harm to a number of people, and I want to say that I am absolutely sorry. I do not stand in defense of myself nor do I forgive myself. I was selfish, narcissistic, and insensitive in my past, and there are a number of people who have had to shoulder the burden of my failures," he wrote in the lengthy post.
"Early on in my life, I developed a dependent and addictive relationship with sex. I was scared of it, ashamed, and unwilling or unable to admit it, and so it grew into a consistent and terrible problem," he continued.
"Years ago, after admitting my habits and cheating to my then soon to be wife, I began to approach my problem in a serious way. I entered professional treatment, both in group therapy and individual counseling, and revealed the realities of what a terrible place I had gotten to in my life, and what a terrible impact my actions had on people."
While Jesse insists he has sought to seek treatment, he acknowledged that he must be held responsible for his past actions.
"The fact remains that none of us get to put a wall up between who we are and who we were. I need to earn forgiveness. Concepts like repentance, compassion, and love, are made real through actions, and it’s through my actions that I need to prove change."
"I hope I can show humility, and that the pain I have caused people can heal. I am not above reproach, and no one should be."
While Jesse's post has been liked 18,000 times since its upload, a number of social media users were quick to pour scorn on the supposed apology.
"This reeks of "poor me, I hurt people because I didn't know how to deal with my emotions." Who gives a f*ck? Plenty of people develop unhealthy relationships with sex in regards to their own emotional coping mechanisms and don't abuse young teenage girls," wrote one.
"Literally 0 mention of the fact the girl was 15 and you were 24? That's not just "compulsive cheating" is it? The problem has not been addressed at all," wrote another.
"I am working to shed all my narcissism…" writes a 7 paragraph post about himself, his family, his wife, his addiction with no mention of the victim or the fact she was underage. Right," added another.
