Dealer vocalist Aidan Ellaz Holmes has issued a statement regarding the controversy surrounding him that has cropped up once again recently. Back in 2018, Holmes and his then band Alpha Wolf parted ways in the wake of a sexual assault allegation against Holmes. While initial legal action was taken against Holmes, the charges were reported to have been dropped in light of a lack of evidence.
Two years later, Holmes drew controversy for a mass exodus of bandmates from his then outfit, Dealer. Holmes found himself as the sole remaining member of the group, as two of his bandmates came forwards with allegations of abuse.
Since then, Dealer‘s lineup has undergone a few revisions, most notably be rebuilt this year with a new roster to share the stage with Holmes. The beef between Alpha Wolf and Holmes however has lingered over the years, with Alpha Wolf‘s bassist/vocalist John Arnold taking aim online earlier this week with a post believed to be targeting Holmes.
In light of Attila, Oceano, Dealer & Nathan James announcing their ‘America’s Rejects Tour‘, Arnold posted:
“HAHAHAHA
I was going to say some shit about the rapist abuser tour
But that shit tour is soooo embarrassing and pathetic it’s all speaking for itself
If you’re from the states and follow me on here. I’d like to think your genuine enough to value the women in your life and not support the cesspool tour
Anyone and everyone involved are fucking morons and will be burning so many bridges.”
Fit For A King bassist/vocalist Ryan “Tuck” O’Leary also took a shot at the bill, stating on social media earlier this week, “I wonder if Dealer will participate in Fronz’s only fans? Might be too consensual for Aidan.”
The controversy also spilled over to Attila and their vocalist Chris Fronzak, as some turned their focus back on the sexual misconduct allegations made against him back in 2020. Fronzak denied those allegations. However, several weeks later, the band would fire their drummer Bryan McClure after allegations of rape and sexual misconduct were made against him.
Oceano soon found themselves catching heat over taking a spot on the tour, however, vocalist Adam Warren claimed to be unaware of the extent of the allegations mentioned above. Ultimately, yesterday, November 20th, he announced that Oceano would no longer be on the bill, and also stated that he would be quitting Oceano.
As he explained in his statement and follow-up comments on social media, his exit from the group was partially a response to the frustration he felt being tied into the allegations made against others, as well as his lack of faith in the scene his band operates in. He said of the latter, “Why would I stay in the larger industry when there’s so many fucked up people lurking around?”
Now Holmes has newly issued a statement of his own via his Instagram story. It reads as follows:
“I was 21 in 2018 when the allegations first became a thing. A lot people don’t even realise it was involving someone I loved dearly which it made all the more heart breaking. (One day I’ll explain everything but I honestly don’t think any of you deserve it)
This scene is made of up of deeply insecure people that seem to be in love with the concept of hypocrisy. Pointing the finger but never having a look at themselves
AW have always weaponised these allegations against me. They’re done it since Dealer first formed in 2018. I wished and I wanted to believe they do it because they care so much. That their hearts are so full for something they believe in despite it being false. How can I blame them? I would honestly do the same
but then in 2020 allegations of their label owner and booking agent grooming underage girls went viral on Twitter, with screenshots and
evidence and no one batted an eye.why
why is it pick and choose and not all or nothing like it is for me
I went to court I went through the process, I followed everything accordingly. I tried to do the right thing.
I’m so tired of it all, and I don’t want to give up my passion and love for something because people I either don’t know or have not seen in many many years don’t want me to
I left the scene I had something missing I wanted to continue my passion for music. I wanted to write another record and get back out there and took alot to do.
Only for the same repeating things, none of it is even real. Nothing is even real it’s just talk. People making jokes about abuser tours or “women cover their drinks.” It’s disgusting. Why even joke about shit like that.
I have a mother, a sister, and a girlfriend, you got people just throwing words like “r*pist” around for the clicks and it’s honestly disgusting.
By language and response alone it’s hard for me to believe any of you actually care about the issue at hand. Which is violent crimes against women, instead it’s just you taking your shot and making your hit to make yourself feel better. It’s opportunist behaviour if anything.
the problem stems from within you, look man I’m not a perfect person. I’ve made mistakes and I’ve tried my best to be a better person everyday for the people I love. And what… YOU won’t allow me that? What do I need to vocalise every therapy session, or make some
long winded bullshit post that is designed to purely “flip” the narrative fuck that man.I am not a “r*pist”
that’s it.
I am not a harm to anyone or anything.
this scene and it’s culture to just to destroy is fucked. The way people came after Adam was fucked when the dude did literally nothing wrong.
and just a quick one to the people saying I was running and hiding, wouldn’t go to venues and wouldn’t do shit, I was too busy volunteering overseas trying to do the right thing whilst you be chatting shit behind your computer so fuck you man
I’m out.
Good luck with it.”
For his part, Attila‘s Chris Fronzak is unphased by the controversy and the departure of Oceano from the bill, confirming earlier today the tour is still on with a replacement for Oceano being lined up. Asked for comment about Oceano‘s departure from the trek on social media, Fronzak replied, “Yeah, here’s my comment- I don’t give a fuck!”
Dates for the tour in question include:
03/04 Destin, FL – Club LA
03/06 Memphis, TN – Growlers
03/07 Houston, TX – Studio At Warehouse Live
03/08 Dallas, TX – Trees
03/10 El Paso, TX – Lowbrow Palace
03/11 Albuquerque, NM – Sunshine Theater
03/13 Grand Junction, CO – Mesa Theater
03/14 Denver, CO – Gothic Theatre
03/15 Colorado Springs, CO – Black Sheep
03/18 Iowa City, IA – Wildwood Saloon
03/19 Indianapolis, IN – Deluxe
03/20 Chicago, IL – WC Social Club
03/21 Lansing, MI – Grewal Hall at 224
03/22 Covington, KY – Madison Theater
03/25 New Haven, CT – Toad’s Place
03/26 Amityville, NJ – Amityville Music Hall
03/27 Scranton, PA – The Ritz Theater
03/28 Brooklyn, NY – The Brooklyn Monarch
03/29 Reading, PA – Reverb
03/31 Raleigh, NC – Lincoln Theatre
04/01 Atlanta, GA – Terminal West
04/02 Charleston, SC – Music Farm
04/04 West Palm Beach, FL – The Banyan Live
04/05 Tampa, FL – The Orpheum
