Palm Desert, California – Joseph Seiders, known as the drummer for the band New Pornographers, was recently arrested on charges related to child pornography. The arrest took place on April 9, as reported by the police on April 17. Following the allegations, the band decided to cut all ties with Seiders. The police’s attention was drawn to the situation after receiving a call on April 7 regarding suspicious behavior involving an 11-year-old boy who described being videotaped in a restroom by an unknown man. A similar incident was reported on April 9, both occurring at a Chick-fil-A location in Palm Desert according to KESQ News. Subsequently, Seiders was taken into police custody. Additional evidence was found in Seiders’s apartment after a search warrant was issued, resulting in him facing charges of child pornography, annoying/molesting a child, invasion of privacy, and attempted invasion of privacy.
The band expressed deep shock, horror, and devastation upon learning of the charges against Seiders, as stated in a released statement on April 18. Although Seiders is not a founding member of the band, he has been performing with them since 2014. One of the albums he contributed to was the band’s 2017 release, “Whiteout Conditions.” Seiders is set to appear in court for further proceedings on Tuesday.
The situation has stirred emotions and concern within both the band and their fan base. The New Pornographers firm statement emphasizes their immediate decision to sever all ties with Seiders following the troubling news. The impact of Seiders’s actions has left an emotional toll on those involved, and the band has extended their sympathies to anyone affected by the situation. As the legal process unfolds, the members of the band are facing the challenge of moving forward without Seiders’s involvement. The severe nature of the charges against Seiders has raised questions and prompted a reevaluation of their association with him. The band’s decision to distance themselves marks a significant shift in their dynamic and future musical endeavors.