May 2017 was supposed to be the start of the next stage in the career of queercore band PWR BTTM. They were set to release their next record Pageant--the follow up to the well-received 2015 full length debut Ugly Cherries. But then Jezebel.com posted accusations of sexual assault against PWR BTTM member Ben Hopkins by an anonymous accuser. Before the end of May 2017, the band found themselves dropped by their label and management team and a touring member of the band quit. The band have issued a statement on their Facebook page denying the accusations, but all this has left many PWR BTTM fans not knowing what to think.

I first saw PWR BTTM a few years ago when they opened at the Biltmore for Ra Ra Riot. While I interviewed Wes from Ra Ra Riot, he proudly wore a neon-pink PWR BTTM sweat shirt. Next time I saw the band, they were headlining at 333 on a bill with Bellows and Lisa Prank. It was a great night, a fun crowd. (Each act on the bill stayed to watch the others perform at the back of the room--which is a rare thing.) My leather jacket straight music snob friends (there to see Bellows) could mix with tank top, glitter and cotton candy colored hair queer folk there to see PWR BTTM. Two very different crowds who don't mingle enough got to enjoy a great show together and everyone felt safe.

While at the PWR BTTM show, I met Maguire (who goes by the pronouns them/they), a young PWR BTTM super fan--such a fan they had come to Vancouver from a remote community just to see the band. I wanted to get their take on this horrible situation.

"The space that PWR BTTM created was like no other. I've been to punk shows, rap shows, and rock shows of all sorts, but PWR BTTM stood out because of the way they didn't just use the space, but transformed it. For a few short hours, I felt safer at a show than I'd ever felt previously. Both band members constantly stressed the importance of their "No Mosh" policy and what consent means to them between quips about appetizer bread from the nearby Ethiopian restaurant and being berated by hot Canadian border guards. They spoke and the people listened, danced, and respected their wishes and the people around them. As someone who has woken up with bruises from errant moshers the day after a show the feeling of being able to really let go and not worry about what other people are doing in the space surrounding me, allowed me to enjoy the music more than you ever could at a regular show where people are pushing you mercilessly, unconcerned with any other person's idea of enjoying a concert. The idea that each person entered into this space purely to enjoy the music without impeding others elevated the experience.

This band has meant more to me than any other ever has. Hands down. And it still does, I can't change the way this band changed me and the effect their music has had on me. I am who I am today because of things I have learned from their records. I am sincerely devastated more than anything by the accusations laid against them."

This is my chat with Ben and Liv from PWR BTTM as we hung out in the band’s tour van parked outside 333 while it rained outside on a Friday night in November 2016.
 
Tracks played on the show…

1) PWR BTTM, Ugly Cherries (2015) “I Wanna Boi”
2) PWR BTTM, Ugly Cherries (2015) “Ugly Cherries”
3) PWR BTTM, Ugly Cherries (2015) “Dairy Queen”
4) PWR BTTM, Cinderella Beauty Shop (2014) “Carbs”
5) PWR BTTM, Cinderella Beauty Shop (2014) “Gendr”
6) PWR BTTM, Cinderella Beauty Shop (2014) “Trade”

NO songs CANCON

The Interview Show

The Interview Show with PWR BTTM (podcast edition) #232

The Interview Show producer and host Scott Wood climbs into the tour van to hang out with your favorite indie bands. This podcast covers all kinds of music--anything from electronic to hip hop to indie to punk to metal. Listen!

The Interview Show with PWR BTTM (podcast edition) #232

interviewshow