Parkway Drive have confirmed the family connection to Jed Gordon and acknowledged “warning signs” as they address allegations in new comments reported by the Sydney Morning Herald.
Parkway Drive have addressed the developing situation surrounding Jed Gordon in comments reported by Sydney Morning Herald, acknowledging a family connection and broader issues within the scene.
The band confirmed Gordon is the brother of drummer Ben Gordon and said he had been closely associated with their touring and merchandise operation.
“He’s closely associated with us and the entire Australian heavy music scene. He’s also Ben’s brother, so there is a family connection,” the band said.
Reflecting on the situation, they added: “There were warning signs.”
Parkway Drive also acknowledged wider cultural issues, stating: “As men in a place of privilege, we need to do better.”
The band said that power imbalances, consent issues and bullying were widespread during their early years in the scene.
“What we want to say to any victims, both those who are coming forward and those who haven’t, is that we see you and we hear you. We take your pain and trauma seriously,” they said.
The Sydney Morning Herald article also included claims from anti-abuse campaigner Rory Banwell, who said Gordon’s behaviour had been an “open secret” in parts of the Byron Bay scene and that he was described by some as a “habitual creep”. These claims have not been independently verified.
The comments mark the most detailed response from the band to date and follow earlier reporting confirming Gordon had pleaded guilty to an underage sex offence and is no longer associated with the band.
The Sydney Morning Herald article also included comments from anti-abuse campaigner Rory Banwell and statements from the band addressing broader issues within the scene:
“But there was so much accessibility to creeps. It’s been an open secret Jed was a creep,” Banwell said.
“What we want to say to any victims, both those who are coming forward and those who haven’t, is that we see you and we hear you. We take your pain and trauma seriously,” the band said.
“We’d love to say that we get it. We can’t. But as men in a place of privilege, we need to do better. This Byron Bay hardcore scene of the time was meant to stand for equality, friendship and social justice. It didn’t always live up to those values,” they added.
Full Coverage: Parkway Drive Story
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