Hookworms split up following allegations of abuse against frontman Matthew Johnson

Hookworms have announced they have split up following allegations of abuse against frontman Matthew Johnson. 

The British psych-rock band posted a message on Twitter explaining why they can "no longer continue as a band". 

"We're deeply shocked by the allegations that came to light yesterday regarding MJ, and take them very seriously," they said. "As a result we have cancelled all upcoming Hookworms shows and can no longer continue as a band.

"There will be a full statement from MJ forthcoming but in the mean time we ask that you please try be respectful of the fact that this is a matter for MJ as an individual, external to the band, and that the other members of Hookworms, their collaborators, various agents and record labels had no prior knowledge of the allegation before it went public yesterday, and all all still coming to terms with the news." 

The allegations, which Johnson strongly denies, were made public this week by former Void singer Alanna McArdle, who posted on Twitter that she used to date Johnson and that she'd been contacted by a woman, identifying as 'L', who claimed she'd suffered "horrific abuse," including a sexual assault by the singer.

In his own statement, Johnson denies all of the allegations. "To be clear, I deny, and always will deny the allegations that were posted yesterday," he said. Read his full statement here. 

Hookworms released their third album Microsoft in February this year. It became their first to break the Official Albums Chart Top 40, debuting at Number 18.