Australian metalcore stalwarts Parkway Drive have responded after it was revealed that a person previously associated with the band has pleaded guilty to an underage sex offence. The news, which has drawn significant attention online, relates to Jed Daniel Gordon, who earlier this month admitted to the offence in a Byron Bay court. Sentencing is expected on May 19.
Gordon had worked with the band for several years in various roles, including handling merchandise and other tour-related duties. Media outlets have reported that he is the brother of Parkway Drive drummer Ben Gordon, though the exact nature of their relationship remains unconfirmed.
In an official statement, Parkway Drive addressed the matter directly: “We’ve recently learned that someone we’ve been associated with has pleaded guilty to an underage sex offence in 2002.
“This is appalling and we condemn it. We’re gutted and we support the victim.
“This happened before we were a band, however we bear moral responsibility for contracting him from 2003, on and off over the years.
“While he hasn’t toured with us since 2017, more recently he’s been part of our Australian online merch team. When the band heard about this, we terminated his contract immediately. He’s no longer involved with Parkway Drive in any capacity.
“This is heartbreaking on a very human scale.
“This is still ongoing in the courts so we’re closing comments.”
The band’s statement comes amid a challenging period for live music in Australia. Just last week, Parkway Drive had reacted to the cancellation of Bluesfest, where they were slated as one of the headlining acts in their hometown of Byron Bay. At the time, the band expressed disappointment for the festival and its fans: “To see such an important Byron Bay community institution fall on hard times is heartbreaking.
“We are gutted for the fans who made plans to come to Byron for this year’s festival. We know so many of you travel from all over to be there, and we were really looking forward to sharing that moment with you at home.”
Late last year, Parkway Drive were also forced to cancel their own festival, Park Waves, citing rising costs across the entertainment industry as the primary reason. The group said at the time: “Another festival being crushed by the rising costs across our entertainment industry. It hurts to be another casualty in this chapter of the Australian music scene. We’ve tried every possible option to keep this dream alive, but the reality of the circumstances won’t allow for it.”
