Matthew Garwood, mayor of Launceston, Tasmania, has come underneath hearth for just lately spending a while in-person with Falling In Reverse vocalist Ronnie Radke in the course of the latter band’s Australian touring this month. In a submit shared on social media this previous Sunday, March sixteenth, Garwood acknowledged:
“Perhaps one of the vital controversial characters in my era of the exhausting rock music scene
By way of Escape the Destiny and now Falling in Reverse – Ronnie Radke!
By way of adjustments and empathising genera and private challenges – was superior to spend someday collectively and speak all issues Tassie and private progress and studying.
All the time a mic drop second once I get to play the “Mayor card.”
Haters maintain coming sturdy however power is in believing in your self, the help round you and the resilience to hold on.
*new collab dropping 2026!”
“I stand in solidarity of all the ladies who’ve suffered by the hands of violence whose voices are frequently silenced whereas males like Ronnie Radke are given hero standing.
I’m positive the ladies of Launceston who attended the launch of the 16 days of activism [against gendered violence] can be questioning the sincerity of the phrases spoken by our mayor on that day.”
Fellow Launceston Metropolis Councillor Andrea Dawkins mentioned she has acquired involved messages from residents of the town, stating, “They’re understandably perplexed why our mayor would stand in solidarity with an individual convicted of parole violations related to violence.”
Conversely, Launceston Metropolis Councillor Joe Pentridge voiced his help for Garwood, stating:
“We’re getting just a little too treasured. Matthew‘s being a well-liked mayor and you may’t please everybody. I help Matthew as a result of he was elected by the folks.”
Within the wake of rising backlash over his time spent with Radke, Garwood himself as soon as once more took to social media this morning (March nineteenth,) this time to subject the next clarification concerning his attendance on the present and time spent with Radke:
“As a heavy steel music fan, I headed off to Falling in Reverse meet and greet and I’m actually disheartened that my submit has prompted some offence and concern. Noting that I completely may have worded and responded to it manner higher.
I attended not as an official rep of the Metropolis and posted on this, my private web page however, as I proceed to be taught, it appears that evidently it’s tough to distinguish or have a private life in an elected position.
I noticed this as merely a possibility to satisfy a band that I went by means of highschool listening to. By no means to endorse any particular actions or private positions of the band. I respect that folks could have differing views on this, and I respect these views.
I made a remark about “enjoying the mayor card”, which I mentioned as a quip that my position as mayor is a fairly cool dialog starter – notably visually on this state of affairs with tattoos ect.
I perceive that some members of the neighborhood have raised questions on member, Ronnie Radke’s previous and my affiliation with him. I used to be conscious of among the accusations however not each element – it was concerning the music.
Sorry, I by no means need to trigger misery or upset members of the neighborhood. As Mayor, I do know I do issues a bit in a different way and I stay dedicated to representing all residents of Launceston with integrity and openness.”
