Philadelphia-based punk-pop band and Splendour In The Grass 2016 act Beach Slang have removed guitarist Ruben Gallego from their roster over sexual assault allegations which have been made against the musician.
Beach Slang are just about to embark on a tour in support of their new album A Loud Bash of Teenage Feelings, with the first show scheduled for today.
The band have made it clear that the show will no longer include Gallego, but will instead feature frontman James Alex playing their songs solo and acoustic for the duration of the tour.
The group have made a statement via Facebook, explaining, “This occurred four years ago and prior to him joining Beach Slang, we cannot in good conscience continue with him.”
In a statement to Pitchfork, Gallego has responded to the allegations and the band’s decision to remove him from their lineup.
“I’d like to say that what’s important to me is that people stand with survivors and that we continue to foster an environment where people aren’t afraid to speak out against their abusers,” he says.
“Although I do feel like what’s being said about me is inaccurate it’s irrelevant. I think it’s totally possible for people to see a situation completely differently and if this person feels I harmed them then that’s what I care about and I want to make that right.
“I also care deeply about how this affects other victims of sexual assault specifically the ones who attend Beach Slang shows and felt that sticking around would further isolate them.
“James [Alex] and Ed [McNulty] are the sweetest most caring people I’ve ever known and I feel they did the right thing and I will always support them.”
A Loud Bash of Teenage Feelings is Beach Slang’s second studio album, following their debut released last year The Things We Do To Find People Who Feel Like Us.
The full statement from the band can be read below, including their announcement that they will be donating money to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN), which is a sexual assault victims support organisation.
Watch: Beach Slang – ‘Punks In A Disco Bar’
https://youtu.be/1O1s1JbBKjE
Beach Slang Facebook Statement
For us, Beach Slang has always been and will always be a safe place for everyone. It was built to be welcoming. It was built to be soft. If we are going to continue to exist, we have to exist in this way.
There have been allegations involving sexual assault and our guitarist, Ruben. Although this occurred four years ago and prior to him joining Beach Slang, we cannot in good conscience continue with him. We believe survivors and we want to believe Ruben, but until we learn more information, we don’t feel it’s appropriate for him to be a part of Beach Slang.
We strongly support survivors and organizations such as www.rainn.org and we encourage you to use their resources if you need help. We will be making a donation to RAINN at the conclusion of this tour to do our part in helping to ensure these resources are there for those who need it.
Given the timing of this, our only option is to play as Quiet Slang (James solo acoustic). I mean, giving up never seems to fix things. Maybe today, we can start putting some stuff back together. The Bleached Slang tour starts tonight in Washington, DC. Maybe that’s a good place to start.
Keep each other safe,
Beach Slang
