“Pretty embarrassing to be an American right now…”

Things escalated fast at Fortitude Music Hall when Hot Mulligan’s frontman went off mid-set — venting frustration, anger, and everything in between.

Crowd didn’t miss a word.

“Why are we not rounding up the rich, the hyper-rich, the billionaires, landing them off into a nice little pit, and then lighting the whole *** thing on fire.

Vid by Ned Tepper

Ahren Stringer is facing multiple driving charges including dangerous driving and refusing alcohol and drug testing following a court appearance in regional Victoria.

Ahren Stringer is facing five driving-related charges, including dangerous driving and refusing alcohol and drug testing, following a court appearance in regional Victoria this week.

The former The Amity Affliction bassist and vocalist appeared at Benalla Magistrates’ Court on April 21, where the matter was not finalised and has been adjourned to May 26. No plea has been entered at this stage.

Court records confirm Stringer has been charged with:

• Drive at a speed dangerous
• Exceed speed limit by 45 km/h or more
• Refuse preliminary breath test
• Refuse to undergo preliminary oral fluid test
• Use vehicle not in a safe or roadworthy condition

The charges relate to an incident understood to have occurred in the Benalla region last year, with earlier reporting indicating the matter involved very high speed.

The development comes at the end of a turbulent 18 months for Stringer, who departed The Amity Affliction in early 2025 following a highly public split and has since launched a new project, Self Checkout.

In September last year, Stringer was hospitalised following what was described at the time as a “serious and unexpected emergency,” though that incident has not been publicly linked to the current court matter.

Since leaving the band, Stringer has spoken openly about the personal toll of the period, describing his mental health as having been “in the toilet” and pushing back on speculation around drug use, instead attributing his struggles to burnout and alcohol consumption during an intense touring cycle.

Ahren Stringer, known for his clean vocals in The Amity Affliction, performing an acoustic cover of Alice In Chains’ ‘Nutshell’ via Self Checkout.

Earlier reporting by Blunt Magazine, based on sources close to Stringer, stated that no drink driving charge had been laid. Those sources said Stringer did not complete a roadside breath test and instead sought a blood test, which he believed he was entitled to following legal advice.

Court records now confirm the matter includes charges relating to refusal of both alcohol and drug testing. No further detail regarding the circumstances of the alleged incident has been tested in court at this stage.

The case remains before the court and is scheduled to return to Benalla Magistrates’ Court on May 26.