On Friday, the popular queer-punk band PWR BTTM was supposed to be celebrating the release of Pageant, its highly anticipated second album. The duo, which was birthed at Bard College and signed to the respected indie punk label Polyvinyl, had its devoted fan base abuzz and were plotting a spring tour.
But in a Facebook post a few days before the release, an acquaintance made explosive allegations about the band’s behavior, accusing member Ben Hopkins of “inappropriate sexual contact with people despite several ‘nos’ and without warning or consent.”
In survival mode, the group, which also includes Liv Bruce, issued a statement that addressed the issue head-on. Noting that they were surprised by the allegations, the joint statement pledged to address them “with openness and accountability.”
It continued: “Unfortunately we live in a culture which trivializes and normalizes violations of consent. There are people who have violated others’ consent and do not know. Ben has not been contacted by any survivor(s) of abuse. These allegations are shocking to us and we take them very seriously. Further, the alleged behavior is not representative of who Ben is and the manner in which they try to conduct themselves.” They included an email address for anyone else who felt victimized to come forward.
“Our primary goal here is to ensure that a survivor of abuse has a voice, that their story should be heard and that people who cross the line should be held accountable,” the statement declared.
Despite the statement, the damage had already been done. By Friday, acts slated to open for PWR BTTM at future performances were canceling and the band’s management, Salty Artists Management, had dropped them as a client. They were booted off the bill of the Hopscotch music festival and were forced to cancel an in-store album release performance.
On Saturday, PWR BTTM’s label, Polyvinyl Records, dropped them from its roster and issued a statement. “There is absolutely no place in the world for hate, violence, abuse, discrimination or predatory behavior of any kind,” it read, in part. “In keeping with this philosophy, we want to let everyone know that we are ceasing to sell and distribute PWR BTTM’s music.”
In addition, several canceled dates may lead to cancelled tour for the act. At the moment, two venues said that they’ve received word that the tour has been cancelled and that the band’s statement would be made soon. St. Louis venue Off Broadway confirmed that news on Facebook. Thus far, dates have been cancelled in Missoula, New Orleans, Chicago, Providence, Montreal, Tallahassee, Orlando, St. Louis, Salt Lake City, Durham, and Seattle.
PWR BTTM Canceled Tour Dates05/25: Montreal, Quebec – Piccolo Rialto05/26: Toronto, Ontario – Velvet Underground05/27: Howell, MI – Bled Fest05/30: Chicago, IL – Subterranean 05/31: Chicago, IL – Subterranean
06/01: Minneapolis, MN – Triple Rock Social Club
06/02: Omaha, NE – The Waiting Room Lounge
06/03: Wichita, KS – Wichita Riverfest
06/05: Dallas, TX – Club Dada
06/06: Austin, TX – Barracuda
06/07: Houston, TX – White Oak Music Hall06/08: New Orleans, LA – Gasa Gasa06/09: Tallahassee, FL – The Wilbury06/10: Orlando, FL – Backbooth
06/12: Atlanta, GA – The Masquerade
06/13: Nashville, TN – Mercy Lounge06/15: Durham, NC – The Pinhook
06/16: Washington, DC – Black Cat
06/17: Philadelphia, PA – Union Transfer
06/19: Boston, MA – Paradise Rock Club06/20: Providence, RI – Columbus Theatre06/21: New York, NY – Webster Hall
07/07: Pittsburgh, PA – Cattivo
07/08: Columbus, OH – The Basement07/09: St Louis, MO – Off Broadway
07/12: Tucson, AZ – 191 Toole07/15: Los Angeles, CA – Teragram Ballroom
07/16: San Francisco, CA – Great American Music Hall
07/18: Portland, OR – Hawthorne Theatre
07/19: Seattle, WA – Neumo’s07/21: Vancouver, British Columbia – Biltmore Ballroom
07/22: Spokane, WA – The Bartlett07/23: Missoula, MT – Zootown Arts Community Center 07/25: Salt Lake City, UT – Kilby Court 07/27: Denver, CO – Bluebird Theater
07/30: Lakewood, OH – Mahall’s 20 Lanes08/31 – 09/03 Salisbury, England – End of the Road
09/01: London, England – Koko09/07-10: Raleigh, NC – Hopscotch Music Festival
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