The Shocking Fallout: Max Bemis and the Cancellation of ‘Cherry Soda’
The alternative and pop-punk scene has been rocked by a series of disturbing allegations involving Max Bemis, the frontman of Say Anything. What started as whispers on social media has quickly evolved into a full-scale professional collapse, leading to the scrapping of a highly anticipated collaborative project.
The collaboration between Max Bemis and Wavves was set to culminate in the release of the album Cherry Soda on September 18. However, fans were left devastated when it was confirmed that the project is now officially shelved.
Serious Allegations and Boundary Crossing
The turmoil began when screenshots surfaced online allegedly showing Bemis sending inappropriate direct messages to teenage fans. In one particularly alarming exchange with a 19-year-old fan, Bemis reportedly expressed a desire to kiss them. When the fan pointed out the significant age gap, Bemis allegedly defended his actions by claiming that an attraction to younger people was a “pretty common kink.”
The conversation took a turn for the worse when the fan mentioned they were likely the same age as Bemis’ own children. In response, the Say Anything singer reportedly retaliated, claiming the fan was making him “feel bad for simply being me.”
Nathan Williams Breaks Silence: “A Gross Loser”
While the allegations were surfacing, Nathan Williams, the mastermind behind Wavves, didn’t hold back in his reaction. In a Patreon chat shared via Reddit, Williams expressed his absolute disdain for Bemis, revealing that their professional relationship was fraught with tension.
Key revelations from Nathan Williams include:
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- Professional Disdain: Williams stated that while they worked together, Bemis was “awful” on a professional level.
- Financial Loss: The decision to scrap the album isn’t without a cost. Williams mentioned he is potentially losing around $200,000 and facing significant debt because of the situation.
- Uneven Workload: Williams lamented the disparity in effort, claiming he spent 11 months on the record while Bemis only spent three days in the studio.
- The Future of the Music: Williams is currently exploring the possibility of re-recording the tracks without Bemis, noting that since Bemis “barely wrote anything,” the process would be relatively simple.
To further illustrate his feelings, Williams even leaked a now-cancelled Alternative Press cover depicting him in a choke-hold over Bemis, stating, “If the picture doesn’t tell you the story of how I felt about him, I dunno what will.”
Official Response and Mental Health Claims
As the backlash grew, Say Anything released a formal statement on Instagram. Rather than addressing the specific allegations of misconduct, the band announced that Bemis’ upcoming joint tour dates with Wavves have been postponed. The statement cited a “need to prioritize his mental health and personal well-being,” requesting privacy and patience from the public during this time.
For those following the latest updates in the alternative music scene, this case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing conversations surrounding boundaries and power dynamics between artists and their young fanbases.
