The fallout from Falling in Reverse frontman Ronnie Radke’s explosive tirade against Launceston councillors has taken another turn, with Mayor Matthew Garwood publicly distancing himself from the musician following reports of serious threats made toward elected officials.
After initially posing for a backstage photo with Radke during the band’s recent Tasmanian tour stop, Garwood is now backpedalling, releasing a carefully worded statement that acknowledges the chaos unleashed since the image hit social media.
‘I am deeply alarmed to hear of serious threats towards my colleagues and concerned around the manner in which these uploads were delivered,’ Garwood wrote.
‘The recent social media posts made by Ronnie Radke regarding City of Launceston Councillors were entirely his own and do not reflect my views in any way. I do not condone violence or threats against anyone…’
Radke’s now-infamous video response—posted to Instagram just hours after the backlash began—saw him calling out Launceston councillors by name, mocking their appearance and intelligence, and defending his past criminal record. His rants were delivered with the kind of raw fury that’s earned him notoriety both on and off the stage, but it’s now prompted one councillor to formally report him to Tasmania Police.
Garwood, who previously said he attended the show as a long-time fan of the band, stressed that the posts were a ‘personal response’ by Radke and not connected to the mayor’s presence at the concert.
‘It is important to separate individual opinions from broader discussions, and I encourage respectful engagement on all matters… I saw this as simply an opportunity to meet a band that I’ve listened to since high school. Never to endorse any specific actions or personal positions of the band.’
While Garwood’s latest comments mark a clear effort to step back from the firestorm, the damage may already be done. What may have started as Radke defending the mayor has instead dragged him deeper into the controversy. Locals continue to question Garwood’s judgement, with many pointing out that Radke’s volatile response has only made the mayor’s position more difficult—not less. For a moment meant to celebrate live music, the political fallout has been anything but backstage.
This latest chapter follows Radke’s UK visa denial earlier this year and the cancellation of Falling in Reverse’s UK tour, which he blamed on ‘keyboard warriors’ and government red tape. That incident also sparked backlash and led to the band being dropped from Austria’s Nova Rock Festival.
Radke never actually stepped foot in Tasmania—the mayor travelled to Falling in Reverse’s Adelaide show to meet the band. But his decision to engage with the frontman has since triggered a political headache that’s still unfolding.
The band’s Australian tour has now wrapped, but the headlines it left behind are proving harder to pack up.
Watch: Ronnie Radke’s Instagram Videos
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