In a significant development preceding Brand New’s highly anticipated return to touring, further allegations have surfaced against the band’s frontman, Jesse Lacey. A new woman has come forward, adding to the mounting claims of alleged grooming behavior by Lacey. Her allegations intensify the scrutiny surrounding Lacey, placing both fans and industry critics on high alert as the band prepares to reenter the public arena.
The revelations foreground a complicated dynamic for Brand New, as they must navigate public relations intricacies compounded by issues of accountability and transparency. According to a recent report by NME, the allegations involve accusations of inappropriate behavior that allegedly took place when the woman was a minor, resonating with earlier claims that emerged in 2017. These previous accusations prompted substantial backlash against both Lacey and Brand New, forcing Lacey to issue a public apology in acknowledgment of the distress caused.
The renewed allegations are not just a personal challenge for Lacey but also reflect broader societal demands for change within the music industry. They cast a spotlight on the imperative need to address potentially damaging actions of the past and highlight the ongoing conversation about accountability that the industry faces as it seeks to protect vulnerable individuals.
The resurgence of these allegations raises questions regarding how the band and its management will respond, particularly as Brand New gears up to reengage with fans through their music. This situation encapsulates the ongoing challenges that musicians face when past allegations resurface, especially in an era where the music industry increasingly demands transparency and accountability from its artists.
Both Lacey and the band are situated at a precarious juncture where their handling of these serious allegations could fundamentally impact their reputation and future within the music community. As the story unfolds, it remains to be seen what impact—if any—these renewed claims will have on Brand New’s upcoming tour and how the band will address the situation moving forward.
Fans of the band are likely to pay close attention to the band’s responses, watching for any signs of remorse, resolution, or change. The implications of these developments could be profound, inviting a closer examination of how past actions are dealt with and what steps could be considered sufficient in reconciling such serious allegations.
In a post on Medium, a woman named Aiyana detailed an alleged pattern of grooming behavior from Lacey while she was 15 years old. She claims that Lacey requested her contact information after she gifted him handmade items at a show. Aiyana and her 16-year-old friend were regularly invited onto the band’s tour bus, she alleges, where Lacey became “playful” and “teasing.” During a later confrontation, Lacey is said to have told her: “I don’t hate you, the truth is I’m in love with you, but you’re just not old enough for me to marry you yet.”
According to NME, Lacey met with Aiyana and her mother to insist they keep the relationship a secret. “You’ve become a close friend, one of my best friends, actually… and although we understand our relationship, others might not without more context,” she says he told her. Aiyana concludes that she does not believe Brand New should be going ahead with their reunion tour. “To my knowledge, he has yet to name specific behaviors that were problematic – like the grooming, manipulation, and coercion – and he never reached out to the victims to attempt any form of restitution,” she wrote.
Brand New played a trio of shows at the end of March, following on from a secret and intimate reunion show in December. The upcoming tour has already proved controversial, with some venues on the tour apparently switching off the comments on their social media posts announcing the shows.
The band’s return to the stage comes after a lengthy hiatus that began following the surfacing of sexual misconduct allegations involving Lacey and a minor in 2017. Lacey responded at the time by offering an apology for “the actions of my past” which he said had “caused pain and harm to a number of people.” He expressed regret, stating, “I want to say that I am absolutely sorry. I do not stand in defense of myself nor do I forgive myself. I was selfish, narcissistic, and insensitive in my past, and there are a number of people who have had to shoulder the burden of my failures.”
As Brand New prepares to embark on their North American tour, the band faces a critical moment in their history. The scrutiny surrounding Lacey’s past actions is likely to follow them, as fans and critics alike grapple with the implications of his alleged behavior. The unfolding narrative around Jesse Lacey and Brand New may serve as a pivotal case study in the music industry’s ongoing struggle with accountability and transparency.
As the band gears up for their tour, it remains to be seen how they will address the allegations and what measures they will take to ensure the safety and respect of their fans. The stakes are high, and the response from both Lacey and Brand New could shape not only their future but also the broader conversation about accountability in the music industry.
