Importance Score: 45 / 100 🔵
New Pornographers Drummer Joe Seiders Faces Child Pornography Charges
Palm Desert, CA – Joe Seiders, the percussionist for the acclaimed indie rock group The New Pornographers, has been apprehended and faces serious charges, including possession of child exploitation material. The band announced they have immediately terminated their association with Seiders, age 44, following his arrest on Thursday, April 17, as confirmed by a Palm Desert Police Department press release.
Band Expresses Shock and Horror, Severs Ties
“Every member of the band is utterly shocked, horrified, and devastated to learn of the accusations against Joe Seiders. We have swiftly severed all connections with him. Our thoughts are with all those affected by his actions,” stated The New Pornographers in a message shared on Instagram.
Details of the Arrest Unfold
Initial Incident and Investigation
According to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office, Seiders’ arrest stems from two separate incidents occurring on April 7 and April 9. On April 7, law enforcement officers responded to a report of “suspicious circumstances” in Palm Desert. Upon arrival, they interviewed an 11-year-old boy who reported that an adult male, later identified as Seiders, had surreptitiously recorded him with a mobile phone while he was in a public restroom, according to the official statement.
Second Report Leads to Custody
Two days later, authorities received a subsequent report from the same location. A staff member reported witnessing a man, identified as Seiders, repeatedly “entering and exiting the restroom with juvenile males.” Police subsequently apprehended the suspect, Joe Seiders.
Extensive Investigation and Formal Charges
Following a thorough investigation, which included court-authorized search warrants executed at Seiders’ residence, vehicle, and access to his cellular device, the musician was formally arrested. The charges levied against him encompass possession of child pornography, indecent acts with a minor, invasion of privacy, and attempted invasion of privacy, the press release detailed.
Detention and Band Lineup
Seiders was processed and taken into custody at the John Benoit Detention Center located in Indio, California.
New Pornographers Lineup Moving Forward
While The New Pornographers have been active since 1997, Seiders became the drummer in 2014, succeeding longtime member Kurt Dahle. Currently, the band roster, now without Seiders, includes vocalist Neko Case, bassist John Collins, vocalist and guitarist Carl Newman, lead guitarist Todd Fancey, and pianist Kathryn Calder.
Band Name Origin
The origin of the band’s moniker is rooted in the 1966 Japanese film, The Pornographers, as revealed by Newman in a 2005 interview.
“I watched the Japanese movie The Pornographers and found it to be a compelling term,” Newman explained to Glide Magazine. “On the initial Destroyer record, Dan [Bejar, former band member] has a track titled ‘The Pornographers.’ I recall wanting to prepend ‘new’ to something akin to ‘the new sneakers of the new Christy Minstrels.’ I always perceived bands that incorporated ‘new’ into their names as somewhat artificially contemporary. As if it’s necessary to explicitly declare oneself as new. It felt somewhat forced. However, I was drawn to the words ‘the pornographers,’ and ‘The New Pornographers’ simply coalesced. I remain uncertain if it’s a regrettable or subpar name.”
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, please reach out to the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).