New Pornographers Drummer Arrested for Possession of Child Pornography; Band Has ‘Immediately Severed All Ties With Him’

Joseph Seiders, the drummer for indie-rock band the New Pornographers, has been arrested for alleged possession of child pornography.

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office said in a press release on Thursday that Seiders, who had been the band’s drummer for over a decade, was arrested on April 9 after two reports were made of suspicious behavior at a Palm Desert business. According to the Sheriff’s Office, an 11-year-old boy claimed an older male had recorded him in the bathroom at the location on April 7, and two days later they received another report from an employee who alleged he saw a man entering and exiting the bathroom with underage boys.

Seiders was taken into custody at that point and search warrants were obtained for his residence, vehicle and phone. The press release states that “evidence was located implicating him in the two reported incidents, along with additional crimes, including possessing child pornography.” Seiders has now been booked in an Indio jail on charges of possession of child pornography, annoying/molesting a child, invasion of privacy and attempted invasion of privacy. The investigation is ongoing. According to The Guardian, Seiders’ bail is set at $1 million and he is due in court on April 22.

When the news broke of Seiders’ arrest, the New Pornographers issued a statement, saying: “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.”

Seiders joined the New Pornographers, who formed in 1997, in 2014. He followed founding drummer Fisher Rose and Kurt Dahle, who was with the band from 1999 to 2014. One of Canada’s best-known indie-rock exports, the New Pornographers have released nine studio albums, with the most recent being 2023’s “Continue as a Guest.”