The Neighbourhood fires drummer after sexual assault allegations
The Neighbourhood have had their drummer out of rehab for rape and a domestic abuse charge, but his life is still not completely sorted out
It is unusual that a band as powerful and successful as the Neighbourhood have one of their drummers so far removed from the music.
The band released their debut album, The Neighbourhood, in 2005, and have gone on to record at least five albums since then, with more on the way. Their third record, Last Train To Clarksville, released this year, also included a cover of Prince’s Purple Rain. The Neighbourhood have also won two ARIA awards, having received the top prize in 2009 and 2010.
But none of these achievements have been able to erase the fact that drummer Ben Luman has been accused of rape in Australia, the US, and Germany. The band responded by discharging Luman from their band’s American tour. The Australian music press, meanwhile, has had a field day, with numerous articles reporting Luman’s alleged crimes, which date back to a time when he was in his 20’s, and up to his early 30’s. However, Luman’s case has now been forwarded to the appropriate authorities in both Australia and the US. As Luman is the only remaining band member out of the original Neighbourhood line-up, he was forced to withdraw from the US leg of their tour.
The legal situation is complex. Since his arrest over the past week, Ben Luman has been charged by the St. Mary’s County, Maryland, police department with first-degree rape, sexual abuse, and sexual assault in the second degree. Luman has also been charged by the St. Louis County, Missouri police department with assault, unlawful imprisonment, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. The St. Louis County police department has also issued warrants for Luman’s arrest for sexual abuse, and for the theft of a laptop.
Luman and his lawyer, Jonathan Katz, are now facing separate proceedings in the United States, where he has been charged with having sex with a minor in Washington DC in April of last year. Luman’s lawyer says