PWR BTTM’s New Album Pageant No Longer Being Sold By Label

Both Polyvinyl and Father/Daughter stop selling the band’s records, pledge donations to RAINN & AVP
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Photo by Burak Cingi/Redferns

PWR BTTM’s Ben Hopkins has been accused of sexual abuse and anti-Semitism. Yesterday, an anonymous woman gave an interview to Jezebel describing an alleged sexual assault by Hopkins. She reportedly claimed that Hopkins “made sexually aggressive advances and started having sex with her without permission while also refusing to wear protection.” After the allegations surfaced, two of PWR BTTM’s touring members distanced themselves from the band, and tour openers—T-RextasyNnamdi OgbonnayaTancred, and iji—all pulled out of their upcoming shows.

All of this transpired as the band released their new album Pageant yesterday. The label Polyvinyl, which released the album, has now issued a statement announcing that it will no longer be selling or distributing Pageant. While the album is still currently available on the iTunes Store, the album has been removed from Polyvinyl’s website. According to a representative for the label, the album is also in the process of being removed from digital music stores and streaming music platforms. Refunds are being offered, and the label will be making donations to RAINN and AVP.

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.

If you have ordered PWR BTTM products from Polyvinyl and would like to receive a full refund for your purchase, please contact mailorder@polyvinylrecords.com. We ask for your patience as we work to quickly process all requests.

We will be making donations to the following incredibly important organizations: RAINN (rainn.org) to support its efforts against sexual violence, and AVP (avp.org) to aid its programs against LGBTQ violence.

Our hearts go out to all victims of discrimination and all survivors of sexual violence.

The band’s former label Father/Daughter Records, which released their 2015 debut album Ugly Cherries, has also announced that it will no longer be sell any PWR BTTM music or merchandise. They confirmed to Pitchfork that the band’s Father/Daughter records will also be removed from digital retailers and streaming services. (Currently, the only PWR BTTM records on iTunes were released by Polyvinyl and Father/Daughter.) The label will also be making donations to RAINN and the AVP “in solidarity of all survivors.”

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After the allegations came to light and tour openers dropped out of their upcoming shows, the band’s show at New Orleans venue Gasa Gasa was cancelled. “In light of the recent allegations against Ben Hopkins of PWR BTTM, we've chosen to cancel our June 8th show with them,” the venue wrote on Facebook. “Gasa Gasa is an inclusive and supportive space where everyone can feel safe and free to be themselves.” Pitchfork has reached out to the other venues on PWR BTTM’s forthcoming tour for comment. Representatives for PWR BTTM have not responded to Pitchfork's requests for comment.

The person who made the original allegations against Hopkins said they have “personally seen” Hopkins “initiate inappropriate sexual contact with people despite several ‘nos’ and without warning or consent.” The accuser also shared a photo of Hopkins posing next to a swastika symbol. Hopkins previously addressed the photograph, which they said was taken in 2011.

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