Things have been hard for Atlanta-based metalcore band Issues in recent years. After the 2020 firing of their vocalist Tyler Carter over sexual misconduct and grooming allegations and the hurdles that nearly every band faced during the pandemic in 2020, it seems the band hasn’t been able to recover. The band also cites shifting life changes as a major reason for calling it quits.
According to a statement from the band, Issues has been an important part of the members’ lives for more than a decade, but they have to move on given the circumstances.
“Issues has been a central figure in our lives since 2012. We’ve played countless shows, toured almost every continent, met thousands of people, and made so many friends in our peers and travel companions. The importance of this band to our lives cannot be overstated. So many of you were right there with us.
“2020 hit us as hard as it could possibly hit a band. Tours canceled after we paid the deposits, new album cycle cut short, and the last any of you guys heard from us was when we fired our singer. All of these were incredibly traumatic experiences, not only for us, but also the fans to whom our music means the most. Life changed for the three of us after 2020 in significant ways that made making Issues our full time job impossible, but it doesn’t feel right to end our story in tragedy. We feel very strongly that the legacy we want to leave be a positive one.
“These shows are the final chapter in a long history of pushing the limits of composition, musicianship, and culture in every way we could. We want them to contextualize our body of work over the controversy and member changes and gossip and bullshit and to stand as a monument to the 3 real muffuckas still standing, the music we’re so proud of, and the fans still with us. If this band has ever meant anything to you we want you to be proud of being a part of this too. Proud of the gigs you’ve seen, the tattoos you got, the friends you made. So we’re putting this shit to bed in true Issues fashion. Very, very loudly.”
Issues released three albums: their 2014 self-titled album, 2016’s Headspace, and 2019’s Beautiful Oblivion.
If you’re going to be in Anaheim, California, Chicago, Illinois, or Atlanta, Georgia near the tail end of January 2024, you might want to set aside some time for a show, as Issues’ last live gigs will be held at the following locations on the following dates:
1/19 Anaheim, CA @ HOB
1/20 Chicago, IL @ HOB
1/27 Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade