If you don’t have anything good to say, then it’s better to say nothing at all or at least say it in a less racist, misogynistic, and homophobic way.

Photo Credit: David Uzzardi

People have been responding negatively to a series of offensive comments posted to 4Chan by DIIV’s bass player, Devin Ruben Perez. According to Spin, “A Tumblr called Sexism in Music compiled a bunch of Perez’s hateful comments.” In one post, he called Meredith Graves a “bitch” and “unattractive.” In another post, Perez wrote a racial comment about Zomby, saying, “that nigger is the biggest troll ever.” He also calls Jake Gyllenhaal the “biggest fucking faggot.”

In recent posts to Twitter, the band makes it clear to all their fans that they do not support the comments or views of their bassist Devin Perez. They also do not condone his behavior and hopes it will not negatively impact the reputation of the band:

My only intention from the very beginning of this has been to condemn each and every one of Devin's sexist, racist, and homophobic remarks.

— DIIV (@DIIV) December 15, 2014

I'm speaking publicly about it because I want to make it clear to everyone, more clear than anything, that I DO NOT CONDONE Devin's behavior

— DIIV (@DIIV) December 15, 2014

I'm disgusted and deeply upset by the bullying I've experienced today. I tried my best to be open, honest, and available.

— DIIV (@DIIV) December 15, 2014

I just want to make music and make people happy. I don't want this to kill the band I've worked so hard at building.

— DIIV (@DIIV) December 15, 2014

Despite the public response to Perez’ comments and the band’s critical view of his behavior, he does not seem to feel any remorse for what he wrote. In a recent post to 4Chan, Perez does not apologize for anything he said; he also doesn’t seem to think he has done anything wrong:

Welp, I don’t know. I honestly don’t regret saying any of the stuff that I did. No fucks given at all. It was all the truth really. I do regret calling Zomby a nigger (i’m part black anyway) and going off with that Burnstein goyim joke but I guess I was in 100% 4chan lingo mode.

What do? I’m not a homophobe, racist, or misogynist at all. Did Meredith Graves post this shit herself or was it someone else?

However, the band sent an apology to Pitchfork on Sunday and a statement regarding Perez and the future of the band:

Cole doesn’t stand for any bigotry, hatred, sexism racism or homophobia, especially when it’s manifest in his own band. Cole and Devin are discussing what happened and his future in the band. Devin acknowledges what he did is very wrong. 4chan is a poisonous place. It’s the bowels of the internet. A place where Devin lost sight of what’s remotely appropriate and what isn’t. Racial slurs and sexist remarks are practically what comprise the entirety of the site. It’s important to examine the context of his comments, not to excuse them, but rather because it is a place that breeds, proliferates, and encourages dark and violent ideologies disguised as humor.

It needs to be exposed. It’s lurking just beneath the surface and it’s everywhere. Every journalist covering this story has a responsibility to expose 4chan for what it is. But regardless of the context, what Devin said is inexcusable. It will not be tolerated in the band or anywhere. But ultimately Cole and Devin are very close friends so this is a very hard thing for him to swallow, seeing such unexpected behavior like this from such a close friend. It is not being tolerated and is being dealt with right now.