The controversy surrounding Dealer frontman Aidan Holmes, also known as Aidan Ellaz, has resurfaced, prompting him to address the backlash on his Instagram Stories. The recent turmoil stems from Oceano deciding to withdraw from their upcoming tour alongside Attila, following significant criticism associated with the tour lineup.

Understanding the Backlash Against the Upcoming Tour

The highly anticipated “American Rejects” tour of 2025 was originally set to include Attila, Oceano, Dealer, and Nathan James. However, Oceano recently announced their withdrawal, largely due to the negative reactions they received for sharing a stage with Attila and Dealer. This criticism was ignited by Alpha Wolf‘s Josh Arnold, who referred to the tour as the “rapist abuser tour,” highlighting serious allegations of sexual misconduct against at least one member of the touring lineup.

In early 2018, Aidan Ellaz, the vocalist of Dealer, was dismissed from his position as Alpha Wolf‘s frontman due to the gravity of these allegations. Subsequently, two years later, the remaining members of Dealer left the band, citing claims that Ellaz had engaged in both “verbal and emotional” abuse towards a bandmate, further intensifying the scrutiny surrounding him.

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Attila frontman Chris Fronzak has previously denied allegations of sexual misconduct levied against him in 2020. The same year saw the dismissal of drummer Bryan McClure due to accusations of rape and grooming minors. Dealer, formed after the split between Ellaz and Alpha Wolf, initially signed with Fronzak’s record label, further complicating the narrative.

Comments surrounding the tour were also made by Fit For a King bassist Ryan O’Leary, who quipped about Dealer potentially participating in Fronzak’s OnlyFans, insinuating that it might be too consensual for Ellaz. The controversy surrounding the American Rejects tour has led to a significant discussion about accountability and the implications of touring with individuals facing serious allegations.

Oceano frontman Adam Warren first received inquiries regarding the tour’s implications from the DIY record label ds//fp, which branded the American Rejects tour as one that necessitated vigilance, advising attendees to “cover their drinks and watch out.” Warren responded by indicating that he does not actively follow online controversies, attributing his ignorance to being preoccupied with family and work commitments. He did not comment on the specific nature of the allegations but initially supported the opportunity to tour.

Upon further investigation into the allegations against his touring partners, Warren ultimately decided to withdraw Oceano from the tour lineup. He expressed regret about his earlier unawareness, stating, “It is clear I was not informed enough to make a proper decision to tour with this package.” He emphasized the importance of individuals affected by these situations to contact the authorities and take necessary legal actions.

Warren also addressed the backlash he faced for his initial decision to join the tour, asserting, “After gathering my own information on the subject, OF COURSE we will be removing Oceano from the tour. But shame on all of you who tried to make me the scapegoat.” He challenged those criticizing him to reflect on their actions and urged them to contribute positively to changing the current culture rather than merely pointing fingers at others.

As the turmoil unfolded, Warren expressed his frustration with the music industry, revealing his plans to depart from Oceano after their final performances in 2025, marking a significant turning point in his career.

Aidan Holmes’ Response to the Tour Controversy

In light of the renewed scrutiny regarding his past, Aidan Holmes took to his Instagram Stories to clarify his history and address the criticism directed at Oceano‘s Adam Warren for his tour association. In his statement, Holmes conveyed that he believes Alpha Wolf has “weaponized” the allegations against him, although he does not harbor resentment towards them, recognizing that they hold genuine beliefs about the claims.

Holmes elaborated that he pursued legal avenues to address the allegations, striving to dispel any misconceptions surrounding his character. He stated, “I was 21 in 2018 when the allegations first became a thing. Many people do not realize that it involved someone I loved dearly, which made it all the more heartbreaking.” He expressed his frustration with the music scene, highlighting the hypocrisy he perceives in the community.

This scene is composed of deeply insecure individuals who seem to revel in hypocrisy. They point fingers while failing to reflect on their own actions.

Alpha Wolf has consistently leveraged these allegations against me since Dealer was formed in 2018. I wished to believe they did this out of genuine care for a cause they believed in, despite its falsehood. But then, in 2020, allegations surfaced regarding their label owner and booking agent grooming underage girls, and no one seemed to care.

Why is there a double standard? Why is it selective outrage instead of a unified stance? I faced the legal process and adhered to all requirements, striving to rectify the situation.

I am exhausted by this cycle and refuse to abandon my passion for music because of the opinions of those I do not know or who have not been part of my life for years.

I withdrew from the scene, seeking to reignite my passion for music, to write and perform again. Yet, here I am, dealing with the same relentless accusations, which are baseless. This is merely gossip. Jokes about “abuser tours” or warnings for “women to cover their drinks” are disgusting.

As someone with a mother, sister, and girlfriend, the casual use of terms like “rapist” for clicks is abhorrent. It’s difficult to believe anyone genuinely cares about the real issue of violent crimes against women when it appears more about personal gain.

The problem lies within you. I am not perfect and have made mistakes, but I strive to improve daily for those I love. What must I do to earn your approval? Do I need to detail every therapy session or make a lengthy post designed solely to shift the narrative? Absolutely not.

I am not a “rapist.” I pose no threat to anyone. The culture within this scene, which seeks to destroy, is deeply troubling. The response to Adam’s situation was unjust, especially when he did nothing wrong.

Holmes concluded, “And just a quick note to those saying I was running and hiding or refusing to go to venues: I was busy volunteering overseas, trying to do the right thing while you sat behind your computers talking trash. So, good luck with that.”