In the midst of an ongoing tour, a seasoned hardcore punk band, Gel, has come to an abrupt disintegration following a series of grave accusations against their estranged guitarist. On Wednesday, Gel announced their split and the cessation of all future performances via a poignant Instagram post.
"Gel is no longer a band," the post solemnly declared. "The underlying reason is straightforward yet profound: our former guitar player, Anthony Webster, indulged in egregious actions to propel his musical ambitions, inflicting irreparable harm upon the band in the process."
The band delved into specifics of the alleged misconduct perpetrated by Webster. Primarily, Gel contended that the ex-guitarist embezzled "tens of thousands of dollars," squandering the funds on rent, groceries, an astonishing array of OnlyFans purchases, and inexplicable CashApp transactions.
Gel further accused Webster of Posting nude images of band members on Reddit while still a member, stating, "Yes, casually, for reasons unknown. Fortunately, his ineptitude in covering his tracks has furnished us with undeniable proof."
Moreover, Webster purportedly subjected the band to numerous "perilous physical situations," ranging from "having our van window shattered with a baseball bat" to "his erratic, psychopathic driving." Gel likened their relationship with Webster to an abusive partnership, emphasizing the difficulty in severing ties.
"It's never easy to abandon something you hold dear, especially amidst pressures from external entities and individuals who count on you," Gel penned. "We wish it had been simpler, that this hadn't culminated in such a manner."
The Instagram post concluded with Gel expressing their heartfelt apologies to fans and fellow bands, notably Volbeat, whom they were slated to tour with later in the year. The band was also poised to embark on separate tours with Anxious and Spiritbox throughout the year and perform at Coachella the following month.
"We are deeply sorry for bringing this chapter to a close in such a manner and sincerely wish the best for all of you," Gel conveyed.
Gel, a hardcore punk ensemble formed in New Jersey in 2018, comprises singer Sami Kaiser, bassist Matthew Bobko, guitarist Madison Nave, and drummer Alex Salter. The band boasts one studio album, "Only Constant" (2023), alongside two EPs, one demo, and a split mini album.
Gel parted ways with Webster in September 2024, following his six-year tenure with the band. This marks Gel's first public address regarding Webster's departure, as reported by NME.
