Wavves have scrapped Cherry Soda, the collaborative album they made with Say Anything, after allegations that Say Anything frontman Max Bemis sent inappropriate and sexualised messages to a teenager. NME reported the decision on September 1.
The ten-track record had been scheduled for release on September 18 through I Surrender Records. Wavves frontman Nathan Williams said he no longer wants to be associated with Bemis.
"I don't want to be associated with the guy, so it's as simple as that," Williams said in messages to fans on Patreon. On Instagram he was blunter, writing that he spent 11 months making the record while Bemis spent four days, and apologising to listeners.
The allegations were first shared on the Say Anything subreddit by a 17-year-old, who posted an account of her interactions with Bemis alongside purported screenshots. She alleged that he added her Instagram accounts in March, later gave her his phone number, knew she was underage and was aware of her history as a trafficking victim, and that their conversations turned to sexual subjects. A separate 19-year-old shared further purported screenshots afterwards.
Say Anything announced that Bemis' solo performances had been postponed due to the need to prioritise his mental health and personal well-being. The statement did not address the allegations, and Bemis had not publicly responded at the time of reporting. That postponement was covered here in Say Anything postponing shows as Bemis steps back.
Williams estimates the decision could leave him roughly $200,000 out of pocket, saying 10,000 vinyl copies have already been pressed. He suggested the material could be salvaged by stripping out Bemis' contributions, claiming he barely wrote anything. Wavves released their eighth album, Spun, last June, following 2021's Hideaway, and their next release is tracked on the release calendar; and the rock and indie fallout echoes other releases pulled over conduct allegations, as in campaigners pushing for Thirty Seconds To Mars UK dates to be called off.
The facts
- Cherry Soda was due September 18 through I Surrender Records.
- The ten-track album was a Wavves and Say Anything collaboration.
- Nathan Williams says he will not be associated with Max Bemis.
- He estimates the decision could cost him about $200,000.
- 10,000 vinyl copies have already been pressed.
- The allegations were first posted by a 17-year-old on Reddit.
- Wavves released their eighth album, Spun, last June.
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