Trapt’s Michael Smith announced that he has left the nu-metal band due to some of the public positions taken on behalf of the band.
The drummer’s departure came after the band made a series of headlines last year because of vocalist Chris Taylor Brown’s social media outbursts.
In November, Trapt was banned from Facebook after a series of controversial right-wing posts shared by Brown, and shortly thereafter the band’s Instagram and Twitter accounts were removed after Brown appeared to defend statutory rape.
Smith said his decision to leave the group is “bittersweet” and that some of the public positions taken on behalf of the band (via Brown) were not representative of their individualistic views.
“After playing drums at Trapt in recent years, I decided to leave the band,” he said in an Instagram statement. “This is definitely a bittersweet decision. There have been some problems going on (mostly political) throughout 2020 that many of you may know, others may not. If you’re curious, just search Google.
“I respect the right of everyone to express an opinion on politics. But at the end of the day, I’m a musician and my job is to play and create music. So this is what I intend to do. “
He continued: “As I still communicate and I have a great relationship with the guys in the band, I will only speak for myself. The postures taken and the publicity received as a result are not representative of myself. Not as an individual, nor appropriate or aligned with my personal morals and beliefs. I don’t agree with the way certain things have been dealt with by our fans and the music community for which I have so much respect.
“I wouldn’t be able to have a career in music and / or be fortunate enough to support my livelihood without the incredible support of everyone involved (from fans to the local team, musicians, etc.). who helped and enabled me to use my gifts and talents, and allowed me to move forward on my musical journey. “
Smith added that although his time as a member of Trapt was one of the best periods of his life, he cannot continue to play with them, as he does not agree “with many things morally and with the publicity the band has received”.
“It’s time for me to move on and look for other paths and projects,” concluded his post, which you can read in full above.
In December, Brown rejected false reports that he had been fired from the band for his right-wing views.