The Allegations Against Burger Records and Its Artists
This platform will serve as a space where people who were preyed on by those affiliated can come forward anonymously and we will share your story. We support you, we will organize, and we won’t be silenced further.
July 18, 2020
Doesn’t feel right to be talking about anything else right now—specifically, when it comes to the music industry and the people that take part in it—other than the various allegations of sexual misconduct, harassment, predation, grooming, and misogyny that have been made public over the past several days regarding Burger Records and the bands associated with the label.
Today’s newsletter will focus on amplifying the voices that have spoken out over the last several days, both about their own experiences and in support of those who have come forward. Burger Records’ most recent statement (as of around midnight on July 21) is here. I’m not interested in editorializing on any of this because, when it comes to misogyny and sexual abuse in the music industry, white men have spent enough time offering their opinions while (both intentionally and unintentionally) stifling the voices of victims and marginalized groups that need to be heard. But I unequivocally offer support and compassion to any victims of abuse and assault that come forward, in this instance and any other.
There are more allegations against bands like the Black Lips, the Growlers, Love Cop, Gap Dream, Audacity, Cosmonauts, Tomorrow Tulips, Part Time, and the Buttertones detailed on the Instagram account lured_by_burger_records, and various trigger warnings (including sexual assault, sexual harassment, attempted suicide, various forms of abuse, and predation) apply to those posts as well as the posts embedded in this newsletter. This is also not meant to be a comprehensive collection of allegations, and I apologize in advance to anyone who feels their story is unheard due to it not being included here.
I understand this will not be an easy read for many, but I believe it’s important to share these stories. Also, I understand that financial situations are particularly tight for many people these days, but I would encourage anyone who is able to donate money at the moment to consider making donations to RAINN or Joyful Heart Foundation.
From my statement as @jointholder — I was going to Burger Records shows starting at age 14. Full statement on my page. All my friends who went to Burger shows, even online friends who lived across the country, experienced predatory behavior on behalf of those affiliated with Burger Records. With that being said, Burger Records is responsible for curating a culture built on pedophilic tendencies and teenage fetishization, allowing predators access to the thousands of teenagers paying $$$ to go to their nearly-daily shows being held. Men of Burger Records lured teens in vans, the back room of Burger Records, and a storage unit someone was living in within the Burger Records lot. These people will be held accountable, and there will be silence no longer 🌟☄️
July 18, 2020
TW SEXUAL ASSULT
this was very hard for me to do but from the other woman and girls sharing their story it gave me the strength to share mine as well @/thefrights please retweet and share. if you still support them please unfollow me. pic.twitter.com/qWvtSJil24July 17, 2020
An image that was printed for the inside of a Burger Records tape. This behavior and tendency to creep on teen girls was literally recorded, printed, and placed by hand into at least hundreds of tape cases. Nobody at the label thought this was odd?
July 19, 2020
At least 7 years of predatory tendencies ignored.
July 18, 2020
TW: gaslighting, blackmail, suicide, PTSD, depression, and emotional abuse. This is my statement against @ryanfrailich. @MelissaBrooksLA and @theaquadolls will be taking action to heal Melissa and myself from this. Respect my privacy during this time and don’t silence people. pic.twitter.com/u6lNvbVUNwJuly 20, 2020
another account of abuse by Richard from the buttertones
July 19, 2020
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*yesterday, but still. Burger Records will be held accountable.
July 20, 2020
labels? pic.twitter.com/9lYC59GGe1July 20, 2020
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This isn’t a matter of branding, it’s a matter of abuse. You can’t work this into your business plan, Jessa. It’s not going to work.
July 21, 2020