Ex-Turnstile Guitarist Claims Band 'Just Pandering' on Social Issues

Brady Ebert alleges the band misused funds and falsely accused him of harassment

Jan. 29, 2026 at 10:55am

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A former member of the punk band Turnstile has accused the group of 'just pandering' to their audience on social issues. Brady Ebert, who co-founded the band in 2010 but was kicked out in 2022, claimed the band did not actually care about ethics or social causes, and alleged that the lead singer stole money from a charity event. Ebert also said the band falsely accused him of harassment, but the restraining order was denied by a judge.

Why it matters

This story highlights the tensions and disputes that can arise within successful music acts, especially around issues of creative control, finances, and public messaging. It raises questions about the authenticity of bands' stances on social and political issues, and whether they are truly committed to the causes they promote or are simply trying to appease their fanbase.

The details

According to reports, Turnstile - a Baltimore-based punk band with multiple Grammy nominations - recently shared a politically-charged post on social media about abolishing ICE. In response, former co-founder and guitarist Brady Ebert claimed the band does not actually care about ethics or social issues, and is just 'pandering to their audience.' Ebert alleged that during a free show where the band claimed all proceeds would go to healthcare for the homeless, the lead singer Brendan Yates stole $4,000 and falsely claimed it was to 'pay the merch bill.' Ebert's exit from the band in 2022 was also contentious, with the drummer filing a restraining order against him that was later denied by a judge for lack of evidence.

  • Turnstile was co-founded by Brady Ebert in 2010.
  • Ebert was kicked out of the band in 2022.
  • In 2022, drummer Daniel Fang filed a restraining order against Ebert that was later denied.

The players

Turnstile

A punk band from Baltimore, Maryland that has received multiple Grammy nominations over the years.

Brady Ebert

The co-founder and former guitarist of Turnstile, who was kicked out of the band in 2022.

Brendan Yates

The lead singer of Turnstile, whom Ebert accused of stealing money from a charity event.

Daniel Fang

The drummer of Turnstile, who filed a restraining order against Ebert that was later denied.

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What they’re saying

“Lmao, no one in Turnstile cares at all about ethics or social issues in general, they're just pandering to their audience.”

— Brady Ebert, Former Co-Founder and Guitarist, Turnstile

“At Turnstile's first free show they did they claimed all proceeds go to healthcare for the homeless, we raised [$10,000] but I watched [singer] Brendan [Yates] steal [$4,000] from that and claimed he needed to 'pay the merch bill', which was false.”

— Brady Ebert, Former Co-Founder and Guitarist, Turnstile

“Also, my friends filed a restraining order and guess what, they had two lawyers with them [and] I showed up to court [by] myself and the judge DENIED the restraining order because there was no statute in the laws about what qualifies for a restraining order that they were able to meet the requirements of.”

— Brady Ebert, Former Co-Founder and Guitarist, Turnstile

The takeaway

This dispute within the punk band Turnstile highlights the challenges artists can face in balancing their creative expression, public image, and financial responsibilities. It raises questions about the authenticity of bands' stances on social issues and whether they are truly committed to the causes they promote or are simply trying to appease their fanbase.