Photo: Press
Following accusations of sexual assault, up and coming punk band PWR BTTM have been dropped by their label, and have also lost the support of touring band members, support acts and festival organisers.
The band had been the subject of accusations made on a private Facebook page but were then shared on Twitter and Reddit. The accusations were made against frontman Ben Hopkins which claimed he was a “known sexual predator” and that he made sexual contact without consent.
While the band have responded on Facebook to the allegations, calling them “shocking” and saying that they are being taken “very seriously”, the repercussions to the accusations are already being felt.
Touring members Cameron West and Nicholas Cummins have left the band and the upcoming tour.
Writing on Facebook, West said: “From my understanding, these accusations were in fact levied via email months ago, but were left unshared with other members of the band, including myself.
“In order to provide the highest possible respect to everyone who has come forward, I am hereby ending my tenure with the band as an arranger and touring musician.”
Support band and feminist punk rockers T-Rextasy wrote on Twitter: “We wish we could say these allegations come as a complete surprise, but that is not the truth. Around the time we agreed to a July tour with PWR BTTM, someone came to us privately and warned us that they had these experiences with Ben. They asked us not to share them publicly.”
The band have now reportedly cancelled their cancelled their tour with a number festivals confirming that PWR BTTM have been dropped from their line-ups.
A statement from the Bled Fest - where the band were scheduled to play on May 27 – reads: “We do not have any tolerance for this kind of activity, and it’s important that we act in favor of any victims, whether we know them directly or not.”
AV Club reports that PWR BTTM’s label Polyvinyl is offering refunds to anyone who has bought the album.
