Former Misfits frontman Michale Graves is in the eye of a storm after a wave of UK concert cancellations tied to his past far-right associations. Graves, who was in the iconic horror-punk band from 1995 to 2000 and featured on American Psycho (1997) and Famous Monsters (1999), has seen venues from Bradford to Oxford drop his gigs amid protests.
The controversy stems from Graves‘ 2020 involvement with the Proud Boys, as well as his presence in Washington D.C. on January 6, 2021, where he played a planned private party for the far-right group. He later testified in defense of several participants in the insurrection.
In Worcester, councillor Neil Laurenson has openly criticized the Marrs Bar for keeping Graves‘ show on the calendar (via Heavy Consequence), calling him a “fascist.” Laurenson urged the venue to follow the example of other UK cities, stating: “It’s incredibly disappointing that the Marrs Bar has made the decision not to cancel the gig.
“Michale Graves has been cancelled across the UK, and I find it embarrassing that Worcester is still on the gig list. I think The Marrs Bar should cancel the Michale Graves gig, as other venues have done in Bradford, Glasgow, Sheffield, Portsmouth, Swansea, Bournemouth, Edinburgh, Cardiff, Camden, Reading and Oxford.”
Laurenson doubled down on his criticism, citing Graves‘ support for the Proud Boys and a 2024 performance in Israel: “Michale Graves is a fascist. He supports the Proud Boys and performed in Israel, a genocidal state, in July 2024. I think it would send a powerful message that fascists are not welcome in Worcester if the gig was cancelled.”
In response, Graves posted a lengthy statement on Instagram, defending his remaining European dates while addressing the cancellations: “Over the past days, I’ve become aware of an aggressive online campaign of organizations and individuals focused on my upcoming shows in Europe.
“I respect that people may hold different opinions or choose not to attend these shows. I am very concerned that venues, staff members, and people simply doing their jobs are now being placed under significant pressure and distress and in some instances being threatened to simply show up at there [sic] job.
“I want to be very clear: my shows are about music, community, and shared passion. I do not promote violence, hatred, or harm, and those who have attended my performances know that my focus has always been bringing people together through music. All are welcome. The live music scene should remain a safe and inclusive space for everyone — artists, fans, venue staff, and local communities alike. No one should feel unsafe or intimidated for participating in or supporting live music events.
“If my music is not for you, I fully respect your choice not to attend. However, I respectfully ask that disagreements remain peaceful and that the hardworking people behind these venues are treated with respect. I look forward to performing for those who wish to be there and sharing music in a positive, safe and respectful environment.”
Enter your information below to get a daily update with all of our headlines and receive The Orchard Metal newsletter.
