Update: June 03rd, 2020 05:27 PM:
Cory Brandan has sinced issued the below statement via Norma Jean‘s official Facebook regarding his actions:
“Monday, in frustration about infighting I was reading between groups with the same goal, I posted a gif without considering its context. A friend let me know the next day that it was similar to a BLM graphic, hurting supporters of the movement, so I deleted it. But the damage was done.
I had been up late following conversations about black out Tuesday. I saw creators and supporters extremely divided in approach and was calling it a night. I flippantly searched “blah” and I saw the scrolling gif looking like the credits at the end of a movie. That gif inspired my text “roll credits,” to say “goodnight, I’m out”. My ignorance to the gif’s reference is obvious to me now, though it wasn’t my intention.
Later that night, I retweeted a post from a supporter who was posting their frustration with the black out Tuesday squares driving information off the Black Lives Matter feeds.
This was all before the shit hit the fan on Tuesday with the screenshot of that gif post. I know I should have shown my empathy rather than posting gifs and retweets.
Let me be clear though, Black Lives Matter.
I realize that there’s no going back for some people I upset and there’s no amount of explaining that will undo their hurt, but please know that I would never have posted that gif if I knew what it was being used for. I, and many others in this country, have a lot to learn. I hope more will commit to that, too.
I understand how it looks in the rear view, but the original graphics that gif referenced were beneath my radar. That is my fault, too. I own my responsibility to be more informed.
I’m sorry to our fans who are questioning our message and our music. I’m especially sorry to our Black fans who are hurting right now and must think something terrible of me. You deserve better from me. I’m so sorry.
I’ll be taking a break from my social accounts to take time to listen and educate myself. I’ve had difficult conversations about how deeply I hurt people I love.
My intent was to comment on internet drama, not to disparage black voices and a movement that is important.
I understand how my shit-talking attitude, sarcasm, and the way I present myself online made it easy for people believe it was an act of aggression and not an ill-informed misstep. That’s on me, too. I take responsibility for all of it.
I respect the scene and I just ask that the other guys involved with Norma Jean and Hundred Suns would not have to suffer for my mistake. They are still posting in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement as they have been all week. They are vocal supporters and this should not reflect on them at all. No one else should have to bear the weight of my actions or the responsibility of educating me. All of that is on me alone.
I’m sorry. I don’t expect your forgiveness, but I will be better, because you deserve better.
– Cory“
Meanwhile, it would appear that Every Time I Die bassist Steve Micciche remains firm on his initial assertion that Brandan‘s actions were not the result of a mistake. Regarding Brandan‘s previous apology, Micciche stated to another Twitter user earlier today, June 03rd:
Ahh, see you choose to believe the apology. I do not based on past history of ignorant stances. But go ahead and blast your favorite records by them! I will continue to stand by what I did and call shit like that out cause there is no room for it in the scene. Good day.
— Steve Micciche (@MitchBHavin) June 3, 2020
Original Story:
Norma Jean frontman Cory Brandan drew the ire of Every Time I Die bassist Steve Micciche, Stick To Your Guns frontman Jesse Barnett and more yesterday, June 02nd. Brandan took to social media to share the below since-deleted tweet along with an image that seemingly mocks a gif similar to that of one created for the Black Lives Matter movement.
Brandan appears to have posted the image in response to the conversation surrounding the unrest, widespread protesting and violence that has exploded in the wake of the police killing of George Floyd. Micciche shared a screenshot of Brandan‘s since-deleted post and called him out over the matter:
This was actually posted by a musician in the hardcore scene. You actually had to think about this and hit send. This tone deaf insensitivity is just appalling. pic.twitter.com/mX073YUqzN
— Steve Micciche (@MitchBHavin) June 3, 2020
This isn’t cute, funny joke. It’s straight up fucking garbage. Can’t backpedal out of that.
— Steve Micciche (@MitchBHavin) June 3, 2020
Personally I don’t post donation receipts, but I made another one an hour ago after reading this vile pig’s visual trash. This is a good one among the many out there I chose. If you have the means, perhaps you can do the same. https://t.co/lHYLHlg7US
— Steve Micciche (@MitchBHavin) June 3, 2020
Stick To Your Guns frontman Jesse Barnes also called out Brandan:
Hey @CoryBrandan I know you are always trying to make it a point to own the libs but you’re a fucking punk bitch. Fuck you. Fuck your band. Fuck ANYONE who fucks with you. You’re not welcome any where near my scene you fucking coward mother fucker. Fuck you. pic.twitter.com/exEoBJVzJb
— [email protected] (@SomeKindofJesse) June 3, 2020
As did former Beartooth guitarist Taylor Lumley:
Don’t step foot in Columbus again.
— Taylor Lumley (@tlums) June 3, 2020
Brandan later attempted to explain himself after deleting the tweet and image:
Haha this is not what some of you guys think it is at all. I haven’t seen that other gif. Fuck me. Deleted. I back the movement, but there’s nuance to it and the conversation is chaos. If you know me, you know I hate “the state”. (And getting in trouble on twitter)
— Cory Brandan (@CoryBrandan) June 2, 2020
I’m not trying to be on here. But one of my frustrations is seeing the conversation get washed away today with the black out. (Which I said would happen) so I RTd someone this morning you should check out. That’s it. Focus on the big picture. Not me. (Y’all love me though)
— Cory Brandan (@CoryBrandan) June 2, 2020
Thanks to the two dudes that brought it to my attention rationally.
— Cory Brandan (@CoryBrandan) June 2, 2020
Brandan also attempted to explain his actions to fans, alleging that his choice of image was an honest mistake and that he was unaware of it being a potential attempt to discredit the Black Lives Matter movement. While unquestionably a tone-deaf image to post during this time, notably the image shared by Brandan appears to date back to at least 2013. The Black Lives Matter gif in question was popularized in 2016—though it is unclear if it existed earlier.
I know I messed up on this. I was uninformed about the gif and didn’t realize it was mocking another one and I’m sorry. I am 100% on board with black lives matter. George Floyd deserves justice.
— Cory Brandan (@CoryBrandan) June 3, 2020
I was frustrated with the arguing and division I was seeing online. I searched for blah blah and that was one of the first gifs. I understand it was disrespectful. I’m sorry.
— Cory Brandan (@CoryBrandan) June 3, 2020
Thank you. I’m educating myself at reclaim the block and I’ve made a donation to Joyce Preschool from their “fund the broader movement” campaign. I’m also looking into other ways that we can use our platforms to help.
— Cory Brandan (@CoryBrandan) June 3, 2020
Yeah I realize I messed up on that. I was uninformed about the gif. I didn’t realize it was mocking another one. No excuse. I need to be better. Sorry.
— Cory Brandan (@CoryBrandan) June 2, 2020
Others took to calling out Brandan for his alleged political views:
That was a misguided attempt to say that I wanted everyone to be welcome at our shows. It was part of a list, but I understand it was upsetting.
— Cory Brandan (@CoryBrandan) June 3, 2020
I’ve heard enough to know he’s a total piece of trash.
— Steve Micciche (@MitchBHavin) June 3, 2020
One fan also tried to defend Brandan‘s behavior to Micciche:
LOL I feel so incredibly bad for you that you feel that was a misunderstanding. Dude is backpedaling so hard it’s pathetic. There is nothing fake about this. Go lick his boots you herb.
— Steve Micciche (@MitchBHavin) June 3, 2020
You think he’s a good dude. I don’t. And if you back shit that he posts constantly, then I literally don’t give a shit about you. Goodbye and get off my feed.
— Steve Micciche (@MitchBHavin) June 3, 2020
It is worth noting that a few former members of Norma Jean have went on to join Every Time I Die, including current Every Time I Die drummer Clayton “Goose” Holyoak and his predecessor Daniel Davison. That aside, hours prior to tweeting the controversial image, Brandan explained his position on the George Floyd killing as such:
I am positive George Floyd was murdered and the police need to be prosecuted. I don’t back violence in the streets, looting, or burning buildings, I’ve spent the time listening and reading lots of posts. Watching all the videos. I see that riots are being… https://t.co/ekYtnq8Rqu
— Cory Brandan (@CoryBrandan) June 2, 2020
Escalated by infiltrators and police. I think the conversation is chaos and that led to the conversation being quelled and washed off platforms with black boxes. I don’t support the black out Tuesday thing. I think…
— Cory Brandan (@CoryBrandan) June 2, 2020
The conversation should continue! I’ve certainly learned a lot. But I think twitter is annoying (but it’s also why I love it). Facebook was worse so I deleted literally yesterday. Felt good.
— Cory Brandan (@CoryBrandan) June 2, 2020
I think people are extremely emotional right now (which is to be expected) but I dont think everyone is thinking rationally enough because of it.
— Cory Brandan (@CoryBrandan) June 2, 2020
Beyond that I am positive that there are things going on with the ‘powers that be’ and they are using us to fight and stay divided. Divided we are weak. United we would be strong.
— Cory Brandan (@CoryBrandan) June 2, 2020
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