Australian metalcore heavyweights PARKWAY DRIVE have addressed recent legal developments involving a former member of their team. This week, reports emerged that Jed Gordon has pleaded guilty to having sexual intercourse with a person aged 14 or over and under 16. Sentencing is scheduled for May 19.
Media reports have identified Gordon as the brother of PARKWAY DRIVE drummer Ben Gordon, though the exact nature of their familial relationship remains unconfirmed. Jed Gordon had worked with the band for several years, primarily handling merchandise duties and other roles. The story gained traction online earlier this week, particularly on Reddit.
In an official statement, PARKWAY DRIVE spoke on the matter: “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 announcement comes just a week after PARKWAY DRIVE responded to the cancellation of Bluesfest, where they had been scheduled as one of the headlining acts in their hometown of Byron Bay. At the time, the band expressed their disappointment for both 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.”
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