Wavves have scrapped their collaborative album with Say Anything after the latter’s frontman Max Bemis was accused of sending inappropriate and sexualised messages to a teenager.
Lista completa
- READ MORE: Wavves – ‘Hideaway’ review: San Diego garage-pop dons’ most original and varied work yet.
- Kneecap live at Reading 2026: politics, partying and a pop at Andy Burnham.
- Daine is stepping into self-aware popstardom: “It’s embarrassing in a delicious way”.
- Reading & Leeds 2026: The most magical moments from the bank holiday bash.
- Daisy Chain Fields 2026 review: Olivia Rodrigo’s all-women festival is a beautiful, empowering triumph.
- Dolly Parton, 1946-2026: the Queen of Country was a unifying force in a divided world.
The two bands’ 10-track collaborative record, ‘Cherry Soda’, had been scheduled for release on September 18 via I Surrender Records.
However, Wavves frontman Nathan Williams has now said that he no longer wants to be associated with Bemis following the allegations.
The decision follows allegations shared on the Say Anything subreddit by a 17-year-old, who posted an account of her interactions with Bemis alongside purported screenshots of their messages.
A separate 19-year-old subsequently shared further purported screenshots in which Bemis allegedly discussed being single and his attraction to younger people after she raised concerns about their age difference.
After the first account began circulating online, Say Anything announced that Bemis’ forthcoming solo performances had been postponed “due to the need to prioritize his mental health and personal well-being”.
The statement did not address the allegations directly, and Bemis has not publicly responded to them at the time of writing.
Say Anything returned from hiatus in 2022 and subsequently embarked on a 20th-anniversary tour of ‘… Is A Real Boy’ in 2024.
Wavves and Say Anything, meanwhile, announced ‘Cherry Soda’ in July. Produced by Aaron Rubin, the record had been previewed with the singles ‘Deathx1k’ and ‘Still Alive’.
Williams has further explained his decision not to release the album in messages shared with fans on Patreon, as reported by Paste. “I made it by myself,” he wrote.
He also suggested that the material could potentially be salvaged by removing Bemis’ contributions, saying that discussions had taken place about reworking it. “He barely wrote anything,” Williams claimed.
Wavves, meanwhile, released their eighth studio album, ‘Spun’, in June last year. It followed 2021’s ‘Hideaway’, which received four stars from NME and was described as the band’s “most original and varied work yet”.
For help, advice or more information regarding sexual harassment, assault and rape in the UK, visit the Rape Crisis charity website. In the US, visit RAINN.
The world's defining voice in music and pop culture: breaking what's new and what's next since 1952.
When you purchase through affiliate links on NME.com, you may contribute to our site through commissions. Learn More.
NME Networks, a part of Caldecott Music Group. All rights reserved.
