Michigan college cancels New Pornographers show over concerns it would promote pornography

Naughty, filthy Canadian perverts The New Pornographers were foiled in their attempt to ply their salacious brand of indie-rock sleaze at Grand Rapids, Michigan’s Calvin College—which describes itself as a “Christian liberal arts school”—with school officials canceling an upcoming Oct. 15 concert because “after weeks of discussion and consideration, the irony of the band’s name was impossible to explain to many.” For those unaware that the band’s name contained any irony, even in a loosely defined sort of way, the official statement elaborates: “The band’s name, to some, is mistakenly associated with pornography. Consequently, Calvin, to some, was mistakenly associated with pornography. Neither the college nor the band endorses pornography.” Spoken like someone who clearly endorses pornography.

Fortunately, the administration saw through the libido-driven ruse of student organizers and, like a bucket of ice water dousing two rutting dogs, put a stop to things, resulting in a “peaceful parting of ways” between the school and the band. The New Pornographers—which has insisted in the past that it takes its name from the Japanese film The Pornographers (also a name of a song by Dan Bejar)—has so far had no comment, probably because its members are too busy engaging in all manner of autoerotic deviancy. [Grand Rapids Press via NYT]