Content warning: This article mentions child sexual abuse. Please take care while reading.
Joe Seiders, the longtime drummer for acclaimed indie rock band The New Pornographers, was arrested on April 9, 2025, in Palm Desert, California, on multiple charges related to child exploitation, according to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office.
The arrest followed disturbing incidents at a local Chick-fil-A restaurant, where Seiders allegedly engaged in inappropriate behavior involving minors.
What did Joe Seiders allegedly do?
The Canadian indie rock band the New Pornographers had to kick out their drummer because he had… child pornography. Yikes. #newpornographers #joeseiders #indierock pic.twitter.com/FVeWBnhcNe
— originalpresspod (@origpresspod) April 18, 2025
According to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, an 11-year-old boy told authorities that a man attempted to record him in the restroom of the Chick-fil-A. Two days later, a restaurant employee observed a man repeatedly entering and exiting the restroom with young boys.
Upon investigation, Seiders was identified and arrested at the scene. Subsequent searches of his home, vehicle, and phone uncovered evidence supporting the allegations, including possession of child sexual abuse imagery.
Seiders faces multiple charges including possession of child sexual abuse imagery, a felony, and several misdemeanors including annoying or molesting a child, and invasion of privacy.
Seiders is currently held at the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility with bail set at $1 million. His next court appearance is scheduled for April 22 in Indio, California.
Band’s response: “Shocked” and “horrified”
The New Pornographers, formed in 1997, are a staple in the indie rock scene. In response to Seiders’ arrest, the band released a statement expressing their shock and devastation and announcing they had severed all ties with him.
In a statement on social media posted as news of Seider’s arrest broke, the band said, “Everyone in the band is absolutely shocked, horrified and devastated by the news of the charges against Joe Seiders — and we have immediately severed all ties with him. Our hearts go out to everyone who has been impacted by his actions.”
Ongoing investigation
The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department continues to investigate and has urged anyone with additional information to come forward. They believe there may be more victims and are working diligently to uncover the full extent of Seiders’ alleged actions.
The New Pornographers, unfortunately monikered in this context, started in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. They are best known for their energetic blend of power pop, indie rock, and baroque pop and for being a “supergroup” made up of musicians from other successful Canadian acts, including Neko Case, Carl Newman, and Dan Bejar of Destroyer.
Seiders joined the group in mid-2014, replacing drummer Kurt Dahle. He became a full-time member of the band and contributed to their subsequent albums.
If you know someone suffering from sexual violence, contact RAINN or the National Sexual Abuse Telephone Hotline at 1-800-656-4673
Published: Apr 18, 2025 03:24 pm