Steve Ignorant, co-founder of the anarchist-punk band Crass, just postponed his tour due to visa issues. According to his publicist, this was "despite months of preparation and despite having delivered all of their documents to their visa agent well in advance of usual guidelines."
The tour, which had two stops in SoCal, both in Pomona, was to start in three days, but with no hope of getting visas in time, the group decided to move the shows to new dates. All gigs will be confirmed as soon as visas have been issued.
The official statement posted by Steve Ignorant:
"I'm really, really gutted to have to let you all know that we have to reschedule our USA and Canadian gigs. There's a delay with the issue of the visas we require to enter the USA. We hope it will all be sorted soon, but we will NOT be able to make the scheduled gigs.
"I would ask everyone to please hold onto your tickets and give us about a week to announce new dates. We will reschedule as soon as possible, and tickets will be valid for the rescheduled dates, however, if you think, "F[orget] it, I want my money back," then do that, and I will completely understand.
"I know that loads of you have been planning to travel for these gigs and that rescheduling them will be a right kick in the b*ll*cks for you. I'm really, really, genuinely, very sorry about this. Please understand that this situation is costing me and the band a load of emotional upset: it's not the money; it's the letting you lot down, the bands that we were going to play with, all the people who have worked so fxxxing hard to put this thing together, and if we could have done anything to avoid it, we would have. Honestly, with all my heart, there was nothing else we could do. PLEASE, if you could let other gig-goers know that it's off for now through your e-mails and Facebooks or whatever means you can, please do so. I know these are only typed words, and words ain't enough, but it's all I can do. To say I feel a right xxxt would be an understatement. This is the worse thing I've ever had to do. We really appreciate your support, and we will do these gigs one way or another. Here are the rescheduled dates that will be confirmed as soon as our visas are confirmed. Until the powers that be grant us entry, there's nothing more I can do at the moment. Again, I'm really so sorry about all this.
"Everything is TBC pending visas, but we are hoping they will get issued this week. All tickets will be good for the rescheduled shows."
- TENTATIVE RESCHEDULED TOUR
April 20: Brooklyn, New York, Europa?
April 21: Montreal, Quebec, Club Soda-SOLD OUT
April 22: Toronto, Ontario, Opera House?
April 23: Chicago, Illinois, Bottom Lounge--matinee show?
April 26: Seattle, Washington, Neumo's
April 27: San Francisco, Slim's?
April 29: Pomona (Los Angeles), Fox Theater
April 30: Pomona, Glasshouse
May 3: Austin, Texas, Emo's?
May 6: Atlanta, Georgia, Masquerade?
May 7: Baltimore, Maryland, Sonar
May 8: New York, New York, Santo's-SOLD OUT
