Australian mayor in hot water after posting photo with Falling In Reverse's Ronnie Radke
Australia's Launceston Mayor Matthew Garwood is facing criticism after posting a photo with Falling in Reverse frontman Ronnie Radke, who has a history of legal issues including prison time and past charges of assault, domestic violence, and battery.
Garwood shared the photo on Facebook following Radke's recent Australian tour, prompting backlash from community members, including Councillors Andrea Dawkins and Lindi McMahon, with Dawkins noting she received concerns from local women.
Despite Mayor Matthew Garwood stating that his Facebook page is personal and that the "views expressed" are his own, critics argue that his 20,000 followers and frequent posts about Launceston City Council matters blur the line between personal and official capacity.
In the post in question he said:
Maybe one of the most controversial characters in my generation of the hard rock music scene. Through Escape the Fate and now Falling in Reverse — Ronnie Radke!" Cr Garwood wrote on Facebook.
Was awesome to spend some time together and talk all things Tassie and personal growth and learning.
Always a mic drop moment when I get to play the 'Mayor card'
Haters keep coming strong but strength is in believing in yourself, the support around you and the resilience to carry on.
However both Dawkins and McMahon would make statements of their own via social media.
Dawkins, who raised the issue up to the council chief executive stated:
They are understandably perplexed why our mayor would stand in solidarity with a person convicted of parole violations associated with violence.
The social media post relating to this issue felt like a provocation and I am left wondering how this action serves the people of Launceston.
While McMahon added:
I stand in solidarity of all the women who have suffered at the hands of violence whose voices are continually silenced while men like Ronnie Radke are given hero status.
I'm sure the women of Launceston who attended the launch of the 16 days of activism [against gendered violence] would be questioning the sincerity of the words spoken by our mayor on that day.
In response, Garwood clarified that his attendance at the Adelaide concert was a personal trip with no council funds involved and acknowledged the concerns raised about Radke's past. In a more recent statement he shared:
As a heavy metal music fan, I headed off to Falling in Reverse meet and greet and I'm really disheartened that my post has caused some offence and concern. Noting that I absolutely could have worded and responded to it way better.
I attended not as an official rep of the City and posted on this, my personal page but, as I continue to learn, it seems that it's difficult to differentiate or have a personal life in an elected role.
I saw this as simply an opportunity to meet a band that I went through high school listening to. Never to endorse any specific actions or personal positions of the band. I appreciate that people may have differing views on this, and I respect those perspectives.I made a comment about "playing the mayor card", which I said as a quip that my role as mayor is a pretty cool conversation starter - particularly visually in this situation with tattoos ect.
I understand that some members of the community have raised questions about member, Ronnie Radke's past and my association with him. I was aware of some of the accusations but not every detail - it was about the music.
Sorry, I never want to cause distress or upset members of the community. As Mayor, I know I do things a bit differently and I remain committed to representing all residents of Launceston with integrity and openness.
Garwood was also in attendance for a recent Underoath show in Australia following his appearance at the Falling In Reverse show.
35 comments
Post CommentWearing that t shirt intentionally should warrant capital punishment
A beautiful lesbian couple on their wedding day? I see nothing wrong here.
What does Speed have to say about this? They should place a BOS on Ronnie.
Dipshit attention seeker has always wanted to be the cool guy with sick tats, now just makes women want to cover their drinks.
Wog loser. There are hundreds of bands without bitchmade wifebeater cowards in them yet you double down on this poser shit. Ladies and gentlemen, Australia
Australia has to be one of the gayest countries on Earth. Gave up their guns, had Covid camps and now this gay shit. What a complete f @ g hole of a shitpit country. If I never visit that shithole it will be too soon.
Mayor Throat Tattoo makes bad decisions and has shitty taste?! Shocking...
The bonus is that now he won't have to make an awkward coming out of the closet post. Now everyone knows he's gay.
rick_tocchet 6 minutes ago Australia has to be one of the gayest countries on Earth. Gave up their guns, had Covid camps and now this gay shit. What a complete f @ g hole of a shitpit country. If I never visit that shithole it will be too soon. Ohh right right the 'CoViD cAmPs'..so now y'all suddenly care about people being detained for not having the right government documents? (Vaccination cards) Fascinating. But let me guess—when it's migrants being locked up by ICE under the exact same logic (not having government documentation), it's just 'law and order,' right? Wild how empathy only kicks in when it's white people inconvenienced by the system they usually cheer for. TLDR- The only reason rick thinks Australia sucks is cause he was made to believe bullshit about it, and didn't question it while it was being fed to him.
Also, Rick and others like him continue to refuse to question their beliefs or gain more knowledge. Even when people are giving it to them for free, they take the antidote of truth and reason people give them and throw it away ignorantly, and continue to let anti-empathetic poison into their minds. It's the only way they can psychologically save face.
"It was just about the music". No matter how you dice this, you're a retard
anonymous 2 hours ago Real newsworthy stuff, Lambgoat. 1 in 3 posts anymore is just get-a-load-a-this-guy nonsense
Having the govt lock you up for being sick and sneaking into a country and getting thrown out of it are two completely different things. But you are so f*cking stupid, how would you know the difference? Getting mad at you is like getting mad at a puppy for pissing on the carpet.
I used to work for Ronnie, he monetizes all of his posts and gets paid to start fake drama with people. I've watched him storyboard fake scenarios to try and bait people into a feud. He said music is like wrestling now and this helps his brand. Dude sucks.
anonymous 27 minutes ago I used to work for Ronnie, he monetizes all of his posts and gets paid to start fake drama with people. I've watched him storyboard fake scenarios to try and bait people into a feud. He said music is like wrestling now and this helps his brand. Dude sucks. And little lurk follows along every damn time
rick_tocchet 2 hours ago Having the govt lock you up for being sick and sneaking into a country and getting thrown out of it are two completely different things. But you are so f*cking stupid, how would you know the difference? Getting mad at you is like getting mad at a puppy for pissing on the carpet. Rick, do you have proof that your ancestors didn't sneak into the country? Why isn't your family line null and void when it pertains to the social construction that is 'citizenship'? Like bro, unless your native American your people snuck into here too. Why should people in 2025 be thrown in detention centers for 'sneaking in illegally' when Rick's shitty hick ass ancestors off the boat in the 18th century were seen as 'new patriots expanding the frontier'. The only reason you think this is because your logic is flawed and based on hatred and propaganda. You literally lives your shit life with the shitglass half full, yet have the audacity to compare others to puppies.
Don't even engage with this retard, just be content that his subhuman lineage will die with him as his numerous fat rolls completely eclipse his shriveled penis (making it impossible to reproduce) and morbid obesity will cause him to die from type 2 diabetes
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He should be kicked out of office just for being that much of a douche to get a picture with Ronnie the rat