Photo: WENN
After he was publicly accused of rape by former collaborator Lark Grimm, Swans' Michael Gira has cancelled his solo dates in Australia.
As previously reported, Grimm made the claims last week in a statement on Facebook. Recalling the alleged incident, she said she was staying at Gira's friend's house after finishing a recording session, and - too drunk to drive home "or even walk straight" - was invited to stay at the friend's house.
She claimed, "A little bit later I woke up with his penis inside me, no condom. As I opened my eyes, he said, 'Uh, this doesn't feel right.' and he pulled out. The next morning, Michael begged me not to tell his wife about what happened. I drove home, numb."
Gira initially called the accusation "a slanderous lie", writing, "I am completely shocked myself. This is a slanderous lie. I will respond vigorously to defend my name against this horrible slur."
He subsequently admitted that the incident had happened, though he insisted that it was consensual, and described it as "an awkward mistake." Grimm thanked him for his honesty, but insisted, "Unfortunately, this was still rape."
Now, Gira has cancelled his three forthcoming Australian solo dates - though the European leg of his tour, including a show at London's Barbican with Thurston Moore, is still scheduled to go ahead.
