Wavves have scrapped their collaborative album with Say Anything after the latter’s frontman Max Bemis was accused of sending inappropriate and sexualised messages to a teenager.
The two bands’ 10-track collaborative record, ‘Cherry Soda’, had been scheduled for release on September 18 via I Surrender Records.
However, Wavves frontman Nathan Williams has now said that he no longer wants to be associated with Bemis following the allegations.
“Yeah Ive seen it. not sure what to say but fuck max. fuck say anything. I’m sorry yall,” Williams wrote on Instagram. “I Spent 11 months making this record and max spent 4 days so I dunno exactly what I’m supposed to do. I’m sorry guys.”
The decision follows allegations shared on the Say Anything subreddit by a 17-year-old, who posted an account of her interactions with Bemis alongside purported screenshots of their messages.
She alleged that Bemis added both her main and alternative Instagram accounts in March, before later giving her his phone number. She said that he knew she was underage and was aware of her history as a trafficking victim, but that their conversations nevertheless progressed to sexual subjects.
“Even if Max hadn’t said anything dodgy or sexual to me ever, a 40+ year old man shouldn’t be talking to a 17 year old,” she wrote. “That’s odd, and there’s a lack of boundaries there.”
A separate 19-year-old subsequently shared further purported screenshots in which Bemis allegedly discussed being single and his attraction to younger people after she raised concerns about their age difference.
After the first account began circulating online, Say Anything announced that Bemis’ forthcoming solo performances had been postponed “due to the need to prioritize his mental health and personal well-being”.
“Max will be taking the necessary time away to focus on his health,” the band wrote. “We appreciate everyone’s understanding, patience and respect for his privacy at this time.”
The statement did not address the allegations directly, and Bemis has not publicly responded to them at the time of writing.
Say Anything returned from hiatus in 2022 and subsequently embarked on a 20th-anniversary tour of ‘…Is A Real Boy’ in 2024.
Wavves and Say Anything, meanwhile, announced ‘Cherry Soda’ in July. Produced by Aaron Rubin, the record had been previewed with the singles ‘Deathx1k’ and ‘Still Alive’.
Williams has further explained his decision not to release the album in messages shared with fans on Patreon, as reported by Paste. “I made it by myself,” he wrote. “It’s in all ways just a Wavves record.”
“I don’t want to be associated with the guy, so it’s as simple as that,” he continued.
Williams estimated that the decision could leave him approximately $200,000 out of pocket, claiming that 10,000 vinyl copies of the album had already been pressed.
He also suggested that the material could potentially be salvaged by removing Bemis’ contributions, saying that discussions had taken place about reworking it. “He barely wrote anything,” Williams claimed.
Wavves, meanwhile, released their eighth studio album, ‘Spun’, in June last year. It followed 2021’s ‘Hideaway’, which received four stars from NME and was described as the band’s “most original and varied work yet”.
For help, advice or more information regarding sexual harassment, assault and rape in the UK, visit the Rape Crisis charity website. In the US, visit RAINN.
