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Artist News
Anti-Flag members confirm break up related to sexual assault allegations against frontman
By Andy Malt | Published on Thursday 27 July 2023
Former Anti-Flag frontman Justin Sane has denied allegations of sexual assault, following the recent sudden and unexpected break up of the band.
Anti-Flag announced their split via the band’s Patreon page earlier this month. Although no reason was given, fans online linked the move to a podcast episode published earlier the same week that made serious allegations about the singer of an unnamed political punk band.
Acknowledging that he was the subject of these allegations (while also denying them), Sane – real name Justin Geever – said in a statement: “Recently, there have been claims of sexual assault made against me and I can tell you that these stories are categorically false”.
“I have never engaged in a sexual relationship that was not consensual”, he added. “Nor have I ever been approached by a woman after a sexual encounter and been told I had in any way acted without her consent or violated her in any way. Now that I have had a few days to absorb the initial shock, I am making this statement to set the record straight”.
“Sexual assault is real and has a devastating impact on victims”, he went on. “I have devoted my entire adult life to standing up for these victims as well as those suffering oppression and inequality, who are victimised, demeaned and abused. I have always been, and will always be, that person. The statements being told about me are the antithesis of what I believe and how I have conducted myself throughout my life”.
Commenting on the break up of the band he formed in 1988, he said that “as a band, the decision was made that under these circumstances it would be impossible to continue”.
His former bandmates – Pat Thetic, Chris Head and Chris ‘#2’ Barker – also issued a joint statement, saying: “A core tenet of the band Anti-Flag is to listen to and believe all survivors of sexual violence and abuse. The recent allegations about Justin are in direct contradiction to that tenet. Therefore, we felt the only immediate option was to disband”.
“We have been shocked, confused, saddened and absolutely heartbroken from the moment we heard these allegations”, they went on. “While we believe this is extremely serious, in the last 30 years we have never seen Justin be violent or aggressive toward women. This experience has shaken us to our core”.
“We understand and apologise that this response may not have been quick enough for some people”, they went on. “This is new territory for all of us and it is taking time for us to process the situation. It was a privilege for us to be in the band Anti-Flag, as we seek to find our path forward we wish healing to all survivors”.
