Earlier this week, the family of Beach Slang frontman Alex James announced the band's plan to break up in response to allegations of emotional and psychological abuse lodged against the vocalist by former manager Charlie Lowe. Now, Polyvinyl has begun the process of removing the band's catalogue in solidarity with Lowe and other victims.
The label offered a statement late yesterday [via Billboard] explaining its stance on severing ties with Beach Slang.
"Polyvinyl stands in solidarity with those who have come forward about their experiences with James Alex of Beach Slang," the label wrote. "We have begun the process of discontinuing our involvement in the sale and distribution of Beach Slang and Quiet Slang releases. We have said it before and it bears repeating: Our company operates on the core principle that everyone deserves to be treated with fairness and respect. Active accountability builds safer and healthier communities."
On Monday (January 11), Alex's family explained that the band "is over" and that he had no plans to return to music ever. They also said he was admitted to an inpatient program after attempting to take his own life and has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, paranoid schizophrenia and borderline personality disorder.
Lowe countered the statement saying, "past trauma isn't a blank check to perpetuate more trauma," and noted that she was never offered an apology.
"I have learned he sells his too-kind-to-be-true persona to hide that he is truly the most selfish horrible person I will ever meet. I was diagnosed with C-PTSD from how he treated me," Lowe wrote.
Read her full account of her experience here.
The label offered a statement late yesterday [via Billboard] explaining its stance on severing ties with Beach Slang.
"Polyvinyl stands in solidarity with those who have come forward about their experiences with James Alex of Beach Slang," the label wrote. "We have begun the process of discontinuing our involvement in the sale and distribution of Beach Slang and Quiet Slang releases. We have said it before and it bears repeating: Our company operates on the core principle that everyone deserves to be treated with fairness and respect. Active accountability builds safer and healthier communities."
On Monday (January 11), Alex's family explained that the band "is over" and that he had no plans to return to music ever. They also said he was admitted to an inpatient program after attempting to take his own life and has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, paranoid schizophrenia and borderline personality disorder.
Lowe countered the statement saying, "past trauma isn't a blank check to perpetuate more trauma," and noted that she was never offered an apology.
"I have learned he sells his too-kind-to-be-true persona to hide that he is truly the most selfish horrible person I will ever meet. I was diagnosed with C-PTSD from how he treated me," Lowe wrote.
Read her full account of her experience here.