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Artist News
DFA1979’s Jesse Keeler denies membership of right wing group
By Andy Malt | Published on Monday 30 October 2017
Death From Above 1979’s Jesse Keeler has denied being a member of “pro-western men’s fraternal organisation” The Proud Boys, after details of his links to its founder, Gavin McInnes, were discussed online.
Last week, an article was posted on Medium and Reddit noting Keeler’s various appearances on McInnes’ podcast, as well as a photograph of him with members of the Proud Boys. McInnes – a founder of Vice magazine – also reportedly claimed that Keeler was a member of the men’s rights group in an article published last year.
In a long statement posted on Facebook, Keeler says that it is “completely false” that he is a member of the Proud Boys. However, he admits, his “connection to Gavin however is real, but begs to be clarified”.
He explained that he first met McInnes over a decade ago, while he was still working for Vice and the magazine’s in house label was releasing DFA1979’s music. They became acquainted and stayed in touch over the years, although Keeler says that he did not realise the extent to which McInnes’ politics had shifted to the right.
“Over time, I watched many people distance themselves from Gavin both professionally and personally”, he writes. “I always perceived that as people just thinking he was ‘a little much’. In short, I gave him the benefit of the doubt”.
“When [McInnes] started a video podcast and invited me on as a guest, I obliged”, Keeler writes. “When he invited me to his talk-show and a party on election night last year, regrettably, I attended. Never without a morbid curiosity. Anyone who knows me, or has met me for longer than five minutes, knows how curious I am. I never thought that my curiosity would lead to this moment, where now it feels like I’m walking through a lake of mud”.
He severed ties with McInnes shortly after last year’s US presidential election, he goes on: “Soon after the election, I began noticing that Gavin was promoting violence and a form of radical politics that I absolutely do not agree with. I have always been anti-war and anti-violence. That is my baseline position. As far as immigration and nationalism: I am the child of an Indian mother and a Canadian father. I was raised in Canada by my immigrant-Indian family who struggled to make it in a new country”.
He concludes: “The reality is that I am not ‘alt-right’, nor a white supremacist. The facts are I am a mixed race father of two and a musician. I am so sorry for putting my family, friends and fans in this position. I never wanted to talk about politics, I just wanted to make music and leave that stuff alone. Unfortunately, my actions have brought me here, and I am deeply heartbroken about it. To a fault it seems that I give people the benefit of the doubt, and I hope that you will give me the same in return”.
The author of the original article on Medium updated their post after Keeler’s statement was published, saying: “It’s an earnest and humble statement and I believe him. Kudos on responding in a timely manner. When the leader of The Proud Boys claim you as one of their own, you probably should denounce that shit. I, as the author of this piece, do not think Jesse Keeler is a Proud Boy or alt-right. He just seems like a giant dummy that hung out with some sketchy people and definitely said some sketchy shit on Gavin’s podcast”.
Others were not so quick to accept the statement though, with Far frontman Jonah Matranga commenting on Keeler’s post: “‘Not talking about politics’ is as political as it gets. Speaking of which, the stuff you leave out of this non-apology speaks real loud. Speak up, be accountable, stop mealy-mouthing about fatherhood and innocence/ignorance. Use your platform to help end white supremacy in all its forms. That’s being a father (and a human). Do better”.
McInnes, meanwhile, commented: “This is all remarkably gay”.
Keeler is not the first musician to be accused of links to the Proud Boys. Earlier this year, Glasgow-based producer Funk D’Void was criticised after he began selling Proud Boys branded merch in his online store. In a statement to Resident Advisor, he also admitted that he was “mates with Gavin” but no more.
In a statement on Facebook, he later added: “I’m not racist / sexist / homophobic / transphobic / intolerant / bigoted / far right. If you have a problem with The Proud Boys take it up with them, I’m out”.
UPDATE 31 Oct 2017 12.00: This article has been amended at the request of lawyers representing The Proud Boys, who object to the use of the term ‘alt-right’ to describe their organisation. They state: “The Proud Boys do not now, nor have they ever, espoused white nationalist, white supremacist, anti-Semitic, or alt-right views”.
