Norma Jean’s Cory Brandan Called Out By Every Time I Die & Stick To Your Guns Members After Posting Image Allegedly Mocking The Black Lives Matter Movement (Updated)

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:

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:

Stick To Your Guns frontman Jesse Barnes also called out Brandan:

As did former Beartooth guitarist Taylor Lumley:

Brandan later attempted to explain himself after deleting the tweet and image:

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.

Others took to calling out Brandan for his alleged political views:

One fan also tried to defend Brandan‘s behavior to Micciche:

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: