The recent arrest of New Pornographers drummer Joe Seiders on charges of possession of child pornography has shocked the music industry. The Canadian indie rock band wasted no time in cutting all ties with Seiders following the announcement of his arrest by local Palm Desert, California police on April 17.
In a statement shared on Instagram, the band expressed their shock, horror, and devastation at the news of the charges against Seiders. They made it clear that they have immediately severed all connections with him and offered their sympathies to those affected by his actions.
According to the Riverside County sheriff’s office, Seiders was arrested after two separate incidents on April 7 and April 9 in Palm Desert. The first incident involved a report of a suspicious circumstance where an 11-year-old boy stated that an unknown male adult had recorded him using the restroom on a cell phone. Two days later, another report was made by an employee claiming to have seen a man entering and exiting the restroom with juvenile males. Seiders was taken into custody following this report.
After conducting an investigation and obtaining search warrants for Seiders’ home, car, and cell phone, the musician was arrested on charges including possession of child pornography, annoying/molesting a child, invasion of privacy, and attempted invasion of privacy. He was booked into the John Benoit Detention Center in Indio, California.
The New Pornographers, formed in 1997, had Seiders join the group in 2014 as the drummer, replacing Kurt Dahle. The band’s current lineup, now without Seiders, includes lead singer Neko Case, bassist John Collins, singer and guitarist Carl Newman, lead guitarist Todd Fancey, and pianist Kathryn Calder.
The band got its name from the 1966 Japanese movie “The Pornographers,” as explained by Newman in 2005. He shared that the inspiration came from wanting to put a modern twist on band names by adding “new” before a word, and the combination of “The Pornographers” just felt right to him.
In light of these serious allegations, it is crucial to remember the support available for survivors of sexual assault. Organizations like the National Sexual Assault Hotline can provide help and guidance to those in need. If you or someone you know has been affected by sexual assault, do not hesitate to reach out for support.
