Please boycott Pure Noise Records and take this situation seriously!
I know I don’t really post on this blog anymore, but there’s an issue that really needs the attention of the scene, and I’m going to use whatever platform I have to bring awareness to it.
I usually ask my followers to support artists-- that was the goal of creating this blog. However, in this case it’s important to consider what it means to support the band No Good News or their label Pure Noise Records.
For those of you who are currently unaware, Harry Corrigan, of No Good News/ formerly of Bellwether, sexually assaulted a 17-year old girl a few years back (read about it here). To make matters worse, he shows a clear lack of sincerity or honest remorse.
Pure Noise Records signed No Good News after concerns about Harry being a sexual predator became public. Not only was this clearly not seen as a reason not to sign the band, but Pure Noise has been working to stop fans from publicly speaking out against Harry. In one instance, according to AbsolutePunk, “the label have already told one fan to never buy another record from the label for calling attention to this”.
Pure Noise is not the only one enabling Harry’s grotesque behavior. John James “JJR” Ryan, who was formerly the tour manager of The Wonder Years, and is currently the tour manager of Four Year Strong, Transit and A Loss For Words, has also helped cover up the incident. Christian Holden of The Hotlier, is friends with the victim and has defended her. JJR has attempted to stop him from doing so and further uses her anonymity as a way to easily spread lies about her. He claims "she already reached out months ago, apologized, and took her things off the internet”, when sources who know her (i.e. Christian Holden and her friend who was original poster of her accusation) say otherwise.
Please do not support Pure Noise Records as a company. By all means, continue to support the bands on the label. It is possible to support a band but NOT the label. These days, most bands on indie labels sustain themselves almost exclusively from tours and merch sales, where their label doesn’t get a cut. All the more reason to attend more shows!
You should also unfollow Pure Noise Records on social media, and like/ follow the bands instead.
Take note of the artists below and their relationship to the situation and/ or Pure Noise. This list was borrowed from an AbsolutePunk thread:
Associate Pure Noise Acts include:
Brigades
Counterparts
Elder Brother
Forever Came Calling
Four Year Strong
Gates
Gnarwolves
Handguns
Heart to Heart
Hit the Lights
Jule Vera
Landscapes
Like Pacific
My Iron Lung
No Bragging Rights
Reggie and the Full Effect
Rotting Out
Seaway
Senses Fail
Sights and Sounds
Speak Low if You Speak Love
State Champs
The Story So Far
To The Wind
Vanna
Bands that Showed Support for Harry/Made Jokes
Knuckle Puck (“Bullshit”)
State Champs (“Tumblr Justice, baby”)
The Story So Far
Fireworks
Handguns
Seaway
Second to Last
I Call Fives
A Loss For Words
Four Year Strong
Transit
Turnover
Bands Associated with JJR
Four Year Strong (Current)
Transit (Current)
A Loss for Words (Breaking Up)
The Wonder Years (They gave him the boot due to his support for Harry)
East Coast Collective played a part in supporting Harry. JJR works for/ is closely associated with ECC.
Mixtapefest is being sponsored by ECC. Please reach out to any bands on the lineup and make sure they are informed about the connection between ECC and the Harry/Pure Noise situation.
I am deeply disappointed in the above artists (i.e. the middle category) for defending their friend rather than questioning if he is really as a good of a guy as he says. Many men in the industry, particularly musicians, have a poor track record of using their power to take advantage of women. This has been happening for years, and I think it’s time we turn our backs on those who abuse their power. Boycotting those who defend assailants, like Pure Noise, helps ensure that situations like this do not happen to more young women.
My heart goes out to the victim. While she remains anonymous, we need to believe her and defend her. Her value as a human being should be seen as more important than the success of her abuser.
Again, it’s important to spread this information as far as we can: talk about this with people you know, tweet about it, post about it, or share mine. I will continue to update this post, if necessary.
Edit: There’s now more you can do! Please sign this petition to get JJR booted as a tour manager. Also please follow Safer Scene, a soon-to-be non-profit, advocating for the safety and inclusion for women (and everyone) at concerts and beyond.
romaincrisis
gummygunk
snowghoul
germansingergirl
izzy806
tangentwithtanner
pixelskylines