TRAPT drummer resigns for “essentially political” reasons

Kicking are now looking for a new drummer, after Michael Smith has decided to leave the band, for “mostly political” reasons.

In a statement, which you can read in full below, Smith writes “There have been ongoing (mostly political) issues” in the group, adding that “the positions taken … are not representative of me- same … neither adapted or aligned with my morals and beliefs. ”

He makes it clear that he “doesn’t agree with the way certain things have been handled towards our fans and the music community for whom I have immense respect.”

Trapt hasn’t had a good year, selling just 600 copies of his latest album, after frontman Chris Taylor Brown became more active on social media, sharing pro-Trump views. Taylor entered into discussions on Twitter with Power Travel, Ice-T, NY hardcore vet Danny devil. Brown dodged payments to a music video director, and after inviting Proud Boys on a show and canceling that show, the group’s Facebook and Twitter pages were shut down due to hate speech.

Smith’s statement reads as follows:

“After playing drums for Trapt for the past two years, I decided to leave the band. It’s definitely a bittersweet decision. There have been ongoing issues (mostly political) throughout 2020 that many of you may be familiar with, others not. If you’re curious, it’s just a google search. I respect everyone’s right to have an opinion on politics. But at the end of the day, I’m a musician, and my job is to perform and create music. So that’s what I intend to do.

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“As I always communicate and have a great relationship with the guys in the group, I will only speak for myself. The positions taken and the publicity received as a result are not representative of me. Not as an individual, nor in harmony with my morals and my personal beliefs. I don’t agree with the way some things have been handled towards our fans and the music community for whom I have immense respect.

“I couldn’t make a career in music and / or be lucky enough to support myself without the incredible support from everyone involved (from the fans to the venue staff, to the musicians, etc.) So thank you to those who are there who supported me and allowed me to use my gifts and talents, and allowed me to move forward in my musical journey.

“It has been one of the best times of my life for the past two years. But in the end, I morally disagree with a lot of things and the publicity the band has received, mainly this last year in 2020… It’s time for me to move forward and pursue other avenues and projects.

“A huge thank you to everyone who has supported my musical journey so far…
-🙏🏼 “