Black Lips single pulled after “allegations” against band member

Black Lips have had a new 7” single pulled by Italian label Wild Honey Records.

Citing “certain allegations made against a member of the band”, the label have sent a statement to Pitchfork, outlining their reasons. The statement reads:

“Shortly after we announced the release of a one-off, limited edition 7″ by The Black Lips [on October 15], it was brought to our attention that certain allegations had been made against a member of the band. Out of respect to all involved, our staff, colleagues and the artists signed to our label, we decided to pull the release. It is not a decision we took lightly, but we believe it’s the right thing to do under the circumstances.

“Wild Honey Records was born in a garage 15 years ago. We are music fans. The label doesn’t pay the bills, it quite often IS the bills. A big part of what we do is give back to the DIY music scene and the community from where we came.

“Growing up as outcasts, bullied and nerdy young punks, we always believed that punk rock could change our lives for the better, that it could bring people together in times of division, hatred and polarisation. We have been actively fighting against this stuff all our lives. We condemn any form of abusive behaviour and any form of discrimination. We walk the walk, not just talk the talk.”

The single was set to feature a cover of Fred Cole’s ‘Colt 44’ and Hank Williams’ ‘Alone and Forsaken’, and was intended for release on October 22, coinciding with the bands current European tour. 

While Wild Honey have not mentioned the band member in question, the single’s Bandcamp page and the label’s social media announcements have been removed. 

Pitchfork reports that in October, Doug Tuttle, an artist who released a single on Wild Honey earlier this year, criticised the label on social media for their planned release of Black Lips’ music. Tuttle reportedly requested that his single be pulled by the label in apparent protest.

In January 2021, a Los Angeles Times article reported allegations regarding Black Lips member Cole Alexander, with Emily Langland alleging that Alexander sent her “sexually inappropriate” texts when she was 17, and Alexander was 29, before having consensual sex when she was 18. At the time, Alexander declined to comment.

Pitchfork has also reported that Black Lips are no longer signed to Vice Records, and Cole Alexander has responded to Wild honey’s statement and the end of their deal with Vice Records, saying “The allegations are simply not true and we have no other comment.”