Montclair’s ‘Pinegrove’ Cancels Tour; Sexual Coercion Allegation

MONTCLAIR, NJ — A Montclair-based band that was recently named to Spin's "101 Best Songs" list canceled sold-out shows in New Jersey and New York City due to an accusation of “sexual coercion” against their frontman.

Pinegrove, a five-piece suburban rock group that was named to Spin's "101 Best Songs of 2015" list, canceled their December shows at Manhattan’s Irving Plaza and New Jersey's Starland Ballroom due to accusations against frontman Evan Stephens Hall, the New York Daily News reported.

• See related article: Montclair Band Named To Spin's 'Best Songs of 2015' List

While he didn’t elaborate on the specific charge or name his accuser in a long Facebook post about the allegations on Tuesday, Hall said that he was facing accusations of “sexual coercion” from someone he “was involved with for a short but intense period of time.”

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In his somewhat rambling Facebook post, Hall said:

• “While it was by no means a simple relationship, it was sustained tenderly and I believed sincerely that it was mutual. I absolutely never threatened her, I never leveraged anything against her.”
• “I am coming to terms with the fact that I monumentally misread the situation.”
• “I should have more actively acknowledged my position of power as a public figure, and also as a man.”
• “I have been flirtatious with fans and on a few occasions been intimate with people that I've met on tour. I've reached the conclusion now that that's not ever appropriate—even if they initiate it. There will always be an unfair power dynamic at play in these situations and it’s not ok for me to ignore that.”

Hall said that “in an effort to take time to make positive changes” in his life and “out of respect for what [my accuser] is going through, Pinegrove will be cancelling its upcoming U.S. tour.

“We'll be taking some time off in general,” Hall wrote, adding that he started therapy on Nov. 15 and plans to continue “indefinitely.”

Read Hall’s full post below.

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Photo: Flickr / Scott Ritchie