Mastodon Apologize for Brent Hinds’ Use of Homophobic Slur

Yesterday we learned that Mastodon and High on Fire guitarists Brent Hinds and Matt Pike were moving their long-teased new project forward. Under ordinary circumstances that’d be good news, and indeed it is, but sadly it was tainted by another part of the same interview, in which Hinds referred to the band Disturbed as “gay ass shit.” No matter your opinion on Disturbed — and indeed, we’ve had some not-so-nice things to say about them over the years — there are plenty of ways to describe that sentiment without resorting to childish and dated homophobic slurs.

But Mastodon fans will be relieved to know that the band was quick to apologize. Responding to Metal Riot proprietor, champion of the queer metal community and longtime Mastodon fan Morgan Y Evans, who rightly called out Hinds’ comment, the band posted the following on Instagram:

“This really bums me out. I’m very sorry I hurt your feelings or anyone else’s, that is never my intention. We want our LGBTQ fans to feel safe listening to our music and coming to see us live. We also have no ill will towards Disturbed, they were always super cool to us on the Mayhem tour. I think that interviewer might have caught Brent on a bad day. Sorry for upsetting you or anyone else, we appreciate you and all of our fans very much.”

The Mastodon member posting on the band account in the first person above is drummer Brann Dailor, who also had a private exchange with Evans in which he directly expressed his remorse, saying “I have no control over Brent” (while seemingly unaware that “that interviewer” was Jamey Jasta). I think it’s fair to say that Brann and the other two members of Mastodon have had to apologize for Brent’s behavior quite often over the years. I also think it’s fair to say that none of us were THAT surprised to see Hinds in particular use the word “gay” as a pejorative given his general demeanor and age. Finally, even if it’s a major bummer, I don’t think it reflects poorly on the other three members of the band given what we know about each of their personalities, and especially in light of the public apology. Evans added, “[The apology] at least shows the other dudes in [the] band don’t want to think they are green lighting their non lgbtq fans to normalize ‘GAY’ as an insult. That makes a teachable moment. I certainly feel more seen as a result.” Indeed, it’s important that folks be given the opportunity to learn and improve from events like this instead of being immediately banished forever. And it says a lot that Brann would be willing to take the time to listen to a single fan and respond accordingly (and publicly).

Mastodon will head out on a co-headline tour with Opeth later this fall, with Zeal & Ardor opening. Dates:

Nov 16 – Asheville, NC – ExploreAsheville.com Arena [tickets]
Nov 18 – Boston, MA – The Wang Theatre [tickets]
Nov 19 – Albany, NY – Palace Theatre [tickets]
Nov 20 – New York City – Hammerstein Ballroom [tickets]
Nov 21 – Washington, DC – The Anthem [tickets]
Nov 23 – Nashville, TN – Ryman Auditorium [tickets]
Nov 24 – Atlanta, GA – The Eastern [tickets]
Nov 26 – Austin, TX – ACL Live at the Moody Theater [tickets]
Nov 27 – Dallas, TX – South Side Ballroom [tickets]
Nov 28 – Sugar Land, TX – Smart Financial Centre at Sugar Land [tickets]
Nov 30 – Mesa, AZ – Mesa Amphitheatre [tickets]
Dec 01 – Los Angeles, CA – Hollywood Palladium [tickets]
Dec 02 – Oakland, CA – Fox Theater [tickets]
Dec 04 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Union [tickets]
Dec 05 – Denver, CO – The Mission Ballroom [tickets]