Chicago band the Orwells have cancelled a forthcoming show in their hometown amid allegations of sexual assault.
This past weekend, allegations were made against band members Mario Cuomo, Henry Brinner and Grant Brinner in a Reddit post. The claims made in the Reddit post include sexual assault, sending unsolicited nude photos, violent misogyny and homophobic language.
In a statement sent to multiple publications yesterday (August 27), the band wrote, "We emphatically deny these baseless allegations brought as a personal attack against us. While callow altercations and vulgar language we've used in the past must be recognized and owned up to, the accusations of sexual assault are completely unfounded."
The band then cancelled their November 23 performance at Chicago's Metro.
You can read their entire statement below.
It's come to our attention that certain allegations of abuse have been made against one or more of us on social media and in social circles of Chicago. We'd like to first state that sexual abuse in any form is abhorrent. We do not take these accusations lightly and consider this matter incredibly serious. We emphatically deny these baseless allegations brought as a personal attack against us.
While callow altercations and vulgar language we've used in the past must be recognized and owned up to, the accusations of sexual assault are completely unfounded. No member of this band has ever acted without consent or maliciously taken advantage of anyone. We encourage anyone who's been affected by sexual abuse to speak up and make their abusers known; however we also encourage everyone to be cautious of the things they read and say on the Internet. No victim of abuse should be hesitant to make their voice heard and if someone does feel that we've hurt them, we encourage them to contact us properly and privately (not via social media or anonymously), as to respect their identity.
Sincerely, Matt, Mario, Dominic, Henry, and Grant
The Orwells
This past weekend, allegations were made against band members Mario Cuomo, Henry Brinner and Grant Brinner in a Reddit post. The claims made in the Reddit post include sexual assault, sending unsolicited nude photos, violent misogyny and homophobic language.
In a statement sent to multiple publications yesterday (August 27), the band wrote, "We emphatically deny these baseless allegations brought as a personal attack against us. While callow altercations and vulgar language we've used in the past must be recognized and owned up to, the accusations of sexual assault are completely unfounded."
The band then cancelled their November 23 performance at Chicago's Metro.
You can read their entire statement below.
It's come to our attention that certain allegations of abuse have been made against one or more of us on social media and in social circles of Chicago. We'd like to first state that sexual abuse in any form is abhorrent. We do not take these accusations lightly and consider this matter incredibly serious. We emphatically deny these baseless allegations brought as a personal attack against us.
While callow altercations and vulgar language we've used in the past must be recognized and owned up to, the accusations of sexual assault are completely unfounded. No member of this band has ever acted without consent or maliciously taken advantage of anyone. We encourage anyone who's been affected by sexual abuse to speak up and make their abusers known; however we also encourage everyone to be cautious of the things they read and say on the Internet. No victim of abuse should be hesitant to make their voice heard and if someone does feel that we've hurt them, we encourage them to contact us properly and privately (not via social media or anonymously), as to respect their identity.
Sincerely, Matt, Mario, Dominic, Henry, and Grant
The Orwells
