Black Lips’ New Single Pulled by Italian Label Over “Allegations,” Cole Alexander Responds

The band is also no longer signed to Vice Records after completing its contract with the label

Black Lips Cole Alexander
Black Lips’ Cole Alexander, August 2014 (Burak Cingi/Redferns via Getty Images)

The Black Lips were slated to release a new 7″ single on October 22 via the Italian garage rock label Wild Honey Records. The record, announced in support of a European tour that began on October 29 and lasts until early December, was slated to feature covers of Fred Cole’s “Colt 44” and Hank Williams’ “Alone and Forsaken.” Before it could see the light of day, however, the release was pulled by the label, citing “certain allegations made against a member of the band” in a statement sent to Pitchfork. The statement to Pitchfork read in full:

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.

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