West Australian Music (WAM) has stripped Dave Cutbush of his Golden WAMi which was awarded in 2012.
Cutbush, one-time director of music promoter Life Is Noise, is facing torrential backlash for allegations of a history of misconduct towards women. The music industry repercussions have seen artists, punters – and now a music industry peak body – distance themselves from the promoter who has admitted to, and sought to apologise for, past behaviour.
A statement posted by WAM today said, "In light of the recent news and ongoing allegations against David Cutbush, WAM has decided to revoke the Golden WAMi award of which Mr Cutbush was the recipient in 2012.
"WAM does not support this type of behaviour, not only in the music industry but across many facets of today's everyday life. WAM is taking steps to address issues such as these and support all individuals and groups that are doing so, such as Safer Venues WA, and support actions like the #meToo and #MeNoMore campaigns which are bringing these issues into the public sphere."
For his part, Cutbush has issued an apology which reads,
To everyone this may concern,
I would like to address the accusations levelled in social media and beyond about my conduct. It is true that in the past I have acted poorly and in a manner that is inappropriate and sleazy.
Using my male privilege to gain sexual favours has been disrespectful towards women. I have used my position in the music industry to my advantage. I have propositioned women much younger than me and have behaved creepily in person at music events and online.
I wish to apologise to the many women I have hurt. However, I don’t expect forgiveness. It has taken me too long to realise I have created situations which made women in the music community and beyond feel uncomfortable or unsafe. I’m now committed to examining my actions and learning ways to change.
The #metoo campaign and more recently the #menomore campaign has been weighing heavily on my mind. I thought this day would come when my actions and behaviours would be exposed, and I deserve to be found out.
Specifically, I would like to apologise to the young girl in Sydney I asked out for a drink. This was a few years ago and she was 16 at the time, and this proposition was not appropriate as I was almost 20 years older. I am sorry for that. It was entirely out of line.
Whilst I have acted shamefully and said things I regret, I have at no stage physically or sexually abused anyone. This is something of which I am certain. Any allegations to the contrary are untrue.
I have been removed, effective immediately as a Director of Life Is Noise and will have no future involvement in the company. I would like to offer my sincere apologies to my former business partner, whom is in no way responsible for my actions and behaviours.
I humbly acknowledge these mistakes have not just affected the many women I have hurt but everyone around me, my family, friends and colleagues who have stuck up for me over the years. I sincerely apologise to you all.
But most of all I am sorry to the many women I have treated inappropriately, hit on, been sleazy towards or any other negative, disrespectful behaviour. Should anyone wish to speak with me in person, I am here to offer you my apology face to face. There are no excuses for what I have done.
I am also seeking treatment for substance abuse problems which is not an excuse for my behaviour but an explanation of the context surrounding such poor actions.
I want to respectfully acknowledge my wrongs and educate myself to be a more compassionate human and show more respect to women.
I will be taking time to deeply reflect on ways to change and be a better person. None of these words makes this right. But I am genuinely and deeply sorry.
I would like to address the accusations levelled in social media and beyond about my conduct. It is true that in the past I have acted poorly and in a manner that is inappropriate and sleazy.
Using my male privilege to gain sexual favours has been disrespectful towards women. I have used my position in the music industry to my advantage. I have propositioned women much younger than me and have behaved creepily in person at music events and online.
I wish to apologise to the many women I have hurt. However, I don’t expect forgiveness. It has taken me too long to realise I have created situations which made women in the music community and beyond feel uncomfortable or unsafe. I’m now committed to examining my actions and learning ways to change.
The #metoo campaign and more recently the #menomore campaign has been weighing heavily on my mind. I thought this day would come when my actions and behaviours would be exposed, and I deserve to be found out.
Specifically, I would like to apologise to the young girl in Sydney I asked out for a drink. This was a few years ago and she was 16 at the time, and this proposition was not appropriate as I was almost 20 years older. I am sorry for that. It was entirely out of line.
Whilst I have acted shamefully and said things I regret, I have at no stage physically or sexually abused anyone. This is something of which I am certain. Any allegations to the contrary are untrue.
I have been removed, effective immediately as a Director of Life Is Noise and will have no future involvement in the company. I would like to offer my sincere apologies to my former business partner, whom is in no way responsible for my actions and behaviours.
I humbly acknowledge these mistakes have not just affected the many women I have hurt but everyone around me, my family, friends and colleagues who have stuck up for me over the years. I sincerely apologise to you all.
But most of all I am sorry to the many women I have treated inappropriately, hit on, been sleazy towards or any other negative, disrespectful behaviour. Should anyone wish to speak with me in person, I am here to offer you my apology face to face. There are no excuses for what I have done.
I am also seeking treatment for substance abuse problems which is not an excuse for my behaviour but an explanation of the context surrounding such poor actions.
I want to respectfully acknowledge my wrongs and educate myself to be a more compassionate human and show more respect to women.
I will be taking time to deeply reflect on ways to change and be a better person. None of these words makes this right. But I am genuinely and deeply sorry.
There are developing suggestions on Life Is Noise's Facebook Page that remaining director Jack Midalia should close the company and start afresh. Other people have questioned how Cutbush can be "sacked" fom his own company. Cutbush's own statement advises that he has been removed from the company and will play no further part in its operation.
Yet another person has come forward with a allegations of inappropriate behaviour. Aine Ryan, a producer for the Nine Network, claimed on social media she is a Cutbush victim. “My first encounter with a man using his power for sexual gain was with this man,” she wrote.
“I was 17 and a volunteer at the radio station he was music director for [ed: RTR FM in Perth]. He made me feel extremely uncomfortable for months and later blocked me on social media out of anger.
“He sent me a number of inappropriate messages which made me feel sick. He tried to get me to go to his house one night. When I didn’t respond he got angry.”
On Saturday, US heavy rocker Chelsea Woolfe, also pulled the plug on an Antipodean Life Is Noise tour, saying she felt "it wouldn't be right to continue working with him... having dealt with her own fair share of bullshit from men in this industry." Late last week, US doom metallers, Sleep, ditched their impending Australia tour under Life Is Noise.
