By: Zoe Strickland Managing Editor
This started out as a review of “Pageant,” the sophomore album of the would-be up-and-coming queer rock band PWR BTTM. However, due to recent allegations, PWR BTTM has been dropped by their label.
The record label, Polyvinyl, announced on May 12 that they were dropping PWR BTTM due to allegations that one half of the duo, Ben Hopkins, sexually coerced and assaulted people while on tour.
As a result of these allegations, the band has been taken off of the label’s website.
On March 13, Polyvinyl released a statement regarding the allegations, “Throughout our 20 years, Polyvinyl has purposefully operated on the core principle that everyone deserves to be treated with fairness and respect. There is absolutely no place in the world for hate, violence, abuse, discrimination or predatory behavior of any kind. In keeping with this philosophy, we want to let everyone know that we are ceasing to sell and distribute PWR BTTM’s music.”
Similarly, the label is offering full refunds to anyone who has purchased PWR BTTM products.
The story broke on Jezebel, where they interviewed a member of the LGBTQ+ community who accused Hopkins of being a “‘known sexual predator’ who has perpetrated multiple assaults, bullied other people in the queer community, and has made unwanted advances towards underage minors.”
Being let go from a label isn’t the only thing to happen to the band; touring members of PWR BTTM, as well as multiple tour openers, have dropped out of PWR BTTM’s upcoming tour and their management company has dropped their representation.
“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 … 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,” read a statement from May 11 that was released by the band on their Twitter account.
The band has also set up an email account wherein survivors of assault can discuss the allegations against Hopkins. According to the statement released by the band, the only person with access to this email will be a neutral mediator.
PWR BTTM’s songs continuously preach messages of acceptance and advocacy, and Hopkins’ alleged actions represent the opposite of what the band tries to promote.
Contact the author at journalmanaging@wou.edu
