Lydia Night is speaking. The Regrettes leader accused SWMRS drummer Joey Armstrong of emotional and sexual abuse in a long Instagram post on Monday (July 20), which Billboard confirmed was written by the musician.
The 19-year-old alleged that Armstrong, who is the son of Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day, sent her a direct message in 2017 on Instagram. The message, according to Night, was to invite The Regrettes on a tour with his band, which started a relationship between the two that started when she was 16 and he was 22, and ended shortly before his 18th birthday.
“For a long time I saw it as toxic and not valid enough to share it, but now I know that what I really experienced was emotional abuse and sexual coercion by someone in a position of power over me,” he wrote.
The vocalist for The Regrettes shared in her Instagram post that what led her to speak were the allegations of sexual misconduct in the music industry that she had been reading about recently, but also the statement that SWMRS released on July 19 which he called “incredibly hypocritical.” “
“We want to recognize how brave it is for these survivors to introduce themselves and review their trauma. Putting you and your trauma in the spotlight is a terrifying and selfless act,” SWMRS began in its lengthy statement, pointing to the stories of survivors of abuse. on the music scene “It is exciting that we are in a place where we can have these conversations and take the stories of survivors seriously. These stories are sparking a long overdue conversation about abuse in our community.”
“While this is truly heartbreaking information to deal with, the bottom line is that we are undergoing a revolutionary transformation in the way we treat each other,” continued SWMRS. “We have to work collectively to forge a new standard for ourselves as young men.”
Night’s Instagram account states that Armstrong’s alleged abuse includes how he “humps” her dry, makes “rules” to “constantly remind me of his position of power,” “embarrass her” sometimes when she tells him “she was not comfortable. ” “with what they were doing”, shining light on me or ignoring me when I didn’t give my consent, “pressing” her to perform sexual acts, and more.
“Every time we saw each other, he made sure to put us in a situation where I could get sexual satisfaction,” he wrote.
Night’s post notes that she ended the relationship two months before her 18th birthday and finally told her parents, they did not know what had allegedly been going on with Armstrong. “The more I processed my trauma, the more I was horrified by the idea of touring with them, but I wanted to honor our commitment,” she wrote of the period leading up to a previously booked tour with SWMRS.
The vocalist for The Regrettes stated that this tour felt different from the previous ones. “We were treated like strangers to a band that I had previously considered some of my closest friends,” he wrote. “I felt that SWMRS and its team were doing everything possible to exercise power and punish me.”
“It took me years to finally understand that I am a victim of abuse,” she continued. “I still remember traumatic events from Joe and I’s relationship 3 years later. It hit me hard and affected my self-esteem.”
Night added that she confronted Armstrong about his alleged treatment of her and that he had apologized. She also said that SWMRS lead singer Cole Becker “dropped a handwritten apology letter from Joey” at her home in early July, but did not address any of the alleged abuses.
In her post, Night said Armstrong contacted her after her band released their statement. “Joey texted me to follow up on the letter, which was a completely transparent attempt to feel what she was going to do knowing the sheer hypocrisy in her statement,” she wrote. “My goal here is not to ‘cancel’ anyone, but to promote the conversation about the complexities of abuse of power, preparedness, and manipulation that exist not only in the music industry, but in many industries.”
“I want women who are not in my position to know that I am with you and I hope this will give you comfort no matter how you choose to tell or not tell your story,” she continued. “You are valid.”
On Tuesday afternoon, the SWMRS drummer posted a response to Night’s allegations via the band’s Instagram account.
“While I disagree with some of the things she said about me, it is important that she be allowed to say them and supported by speaking,” she wrote. “I respect her immensely and accept that I failed her as a partner. I was selfish and did not treat her the way she deserves to have been treated both during our relationship and in the two years since we broke up. I privately apologized and I hope she can Forgive me, if you’re ready to do it. I own my mistakes and will work hard to regain the trust I lost. “
Read Night and Armstrong’s full statements below:
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual abuse, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline for free confidential assistance 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
