Today on their Facebook page, Refused guitarist Jon Brännström, released a statement saying that he’s been fired from the band. Yes, that Refused, the hardcore band that put out The Shape of Punk to Come in 1998, then broke up, reformed and went dormant again. There’s been no talk of the band doing anything, and mostly Dennis Lyxzén has been using Refused’s page to promote his current band INVZN. So it’s certainly curious for Brännström to make a statement about his status in the band, who haven’t even been a band since 2012. Here’s his statement: 

I was fired from Refused a while ago. I wasn’t given a reasonable explanation and wasn’t even invited to sit down and talk about it, so I’m not completely sure why they decided to go on without me. We’ve always been better at punk rock than democratic processes and dealing with conflicts, so I guess I’m not too surprised it went down like this. Quite sad indeed, but perhaps it’s all for the best. I have always been more interested in writing music than reproducing it, more at home in the studio than on the road. Comfortable with slow intellectual processes rather than reacting instinctively in tumbling settings. What hurts me the most, is obviously the gesture. We’ve had our ups and downs, but we’ve made art together and have been tied to together through Refused for twenty years. I used to be proud to call these people my friends.

Enough rationalization and moaning, though. I’m writing to you through this forum to express my gratitude. If it weren’t for you Refused wouldn’t have happened in the first place. All of you who made, and still make, wonderful art, thus inspiring us to also try to do so. All the people whose fights fueled ours. Those who couldn’t stand oppression, who took action against capitalism, racism and sexism. All of you who through words and activism lit sparks, kept ideas of solidarity alive, who actually made a change. And of course all you beautiful people who came and made our shows. Who gave us feedback on our music through dancing, shouting, late night discussions, through bombarding us with human faeces. You made it happen in the nineties, you made it happen during our reunion a couple of years ago. Touching to say the least. And I know you’ll keep it up. Fighting, dancing and creating forever. I know I will. Through my music, through my work, through interactions, through speaking up. Just not through the forum of Refused anymore.

From the very bottom of my heart, thank you. See you in the pit.

Love.

Jon Brännström.

So basically, everyone should stay tuned, because even though Refused doesn’t have anything lined up, at least at this point in time, Brännström’s timing seems a little suspect. Is he about to announce a new project, or is Refused coming out of their hibernation like their fellow Swedes in At the Gates and recording again? Guess we’ll have to wait and see.