Flynn Gower, frontman of Sydney’s long-standing prog-rock act COG, has been accused of spreading anti-vax rhetoric on social media.
A founding member of COG, Flynn Gower has acted as the band’s vocalist and guitarist since its 1998 inception. The band released their debut record, The New Normal, in 2005. It would go on to be nominated for the 2005 triple j J award.
A series of posts shared to Gower’s personal Facebook page seem to cosign the vaccine-resistance movement, conspiracy theories that the pandemic is planned, and other misinformation surrounding COVID.
The ideology of the posts are seemingly rooted in the “Plandemic” conspiracy. The theory stems from a video interview dubbed ‘Plandemic’ by former virology researcher and conspiracy theorist Judy Mikovits. The video, which went viral in May last year, argues that the COVID pandemic is based on vast deception, with the purpose of profiting from selling vaccinations.
Mikovits accuses Dr Fauci, pharmaceutical companies and Microsoft founder Bill Gates of weaponizing the coronavirus pandemic for monetary and political gain. She also claims that the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases buried her research that vaccines weaken people’s immune systems and made them more vulnerable to COVID. Whilst claiming that wearing masks is dangerous because it “literally activates your own virus.”
The video has been debunked by scientists and health professionals alike, who have criticized the Mikovits for spreading virus disinformation.
The posts shared to Gower’s Facebook profile seem to align with this narrative that the pandemic is planned. In a comment, Gower expressed his outrage that those who question the pandemic, and the push for vaccination, are demonized.
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“I’m witnessing a deliberate, concerted, focused campaign to completely demonise any and all who disagree with or who are at odds with the state sanctioned narrative,” Gower wrote in a comment.
“Those who choose not to inject are primarily concerned with tyranny, corruption and unelected technocratic pseudo-medico types rather than a potential health concern. And I’m seeing all the central info dissemination points teaching people to fear those don’t agree with the state.”
In other posts, Gower seems to suggest that COVID-19 poses a threat to democratic practices and civil liberties; referencing Western Australia’s recent announcement that NSW travelers entering the state must show proof of vaccination to cross the border.
Gower seemingly also attended a freedom rally that took place in Apex Park in Byron Bay on Saturday, July 24th.
Tone Deaf has reached out to COG and Flynn Gower for comment.
In related news, Melbourne punk trio the Spazzys recently parted ways with their drummer following allegations of the musician anonymously sharing “neo-Nazi and anti-lockdown propaganda” online.
