The Neighbourhood announces comeback with drummer Brandon Fried 3 years after groping allegations

The Neighbourhood has reunited three years after firing its drummer, Brandon Fried.

The rock band announced the news in a since-deleted Instagram Story on Friday, August 29, per Rolling Stone, revealing their comeback will include Fried after accusations that he groped The Marías frontwoman, María Zardoya, in 2022.

The Neighbourhood, whose other members include singer Jesse Rutherford, guitarists Jeremy Freedman and Zach Abels and bassist Mikey Margott, addressed the allegations in their comeback post and shared that Fried has since focused “on his recovery.”

“In November 2021, after 10 years together, The Neighbourhood went on an indefinite hiatus,” The group wrote, according to the outlet. “As we entered our early 30s, we were faced with life outside of the band for the first time in our adult lives. Breakups, family struggles, and personal challenges.”

They acknowledged that in November 2022, “it became evident that Brandon’s struggles with substance abuse needed immediate attention, and we agreed it was best for him to step away and focus on his recovery.”

The “Sweater Weather” band expressed gratitude for “those who spoke up” about Fried’s issues, stating, “Your courage helped us get our friend the support he needed.”