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Canadian band The Grey banned from the US for 5 years

Contributed by DavidM. Posted by aubin on Tuesday, July 25, 2006 at 10:45 AM (EDT)

Proving that border troubles aren't just for Americans, Canadian Lovitt act The Grey managed to confuse American border security enough to earn the band a five year ban from the country.

According to this story, the troubles began when the band apparently misled border security about the purpose of their visit, which was for a likely non-paying gig across the border.

The oversight cost the band six hours under the hot lights during which the guards could not be convinced that a band would travel and perform "for fun." According to the band, they were informed that:

America is at war, and Canada may not take that seriously [...] since 9-11, we take these things seriously.

The band released Asleep At The Wheel this past March.

Lovitt Records (113 comments)

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Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not responsible for them in any way. Seriously.

Someone (July 25, 2006)

fuck George Bush. fuck the Department of Homeland Security. fuck the Patriot Act. and fuck all this national security bullshit.

the USA needs to wake up and realize that we're rapidly becoming a police state

5+ Replies

Someone (July 25, 2006)

yawn. thank you justin sane for your oh so in depth evaluation of U.S. border patrol

like it, change it, or leave it

btw... the type of change you're referring too involves action, not singing shitty songs or waving banners or yelling at people. maybe try a gun?

Someone (July 25, 2006)

Um, you're a fucking idiot. Go fuck off to your young republicans meeting.

ThomPunkAheaddotcom (July 25, 2006)

was that anti-flag lyrics?

Someone (July 25, 2006)

why do you assume he is a republican? i'm a republican who voted for bush and there is no way i would say something as moronic as what this guy is spewing. I happen to think that we need to do something about our foreign policy, as many of us are losing job opportunities, having our communities become scum-infested drug warfare zones, and allowing terrorists easy access to our country. much as i like the grey, if them getting denied means the system is working and this keeps out potentially one towel-head suicide bomber, than I say it's a small price to pay.

capitalist_pig (July 25, 2006)

It's so nice to see that this site has a few rational Republicans. (/sarcasm)

Someone (July 25, 2006)

One "towel headed suicide bomber?" You do know that most acts of terrorism in this country are committed by white men who claim to be Christians, right?

Someone (July 25, 2006)

sorry bud, that's just not true. most are either pakis or muslims.

Someone (July 25, 2006)

Ahh it's nice to see republicans are showing us that they are actually NOT racists. And stereotypical.

Someone (July 25, 2006)

no, you are wrong. most acts of terrorism in the USA are committed by white Christian males. check the facts and not your ignorant stereotypes.

Someone (July 25, 2006)

Give me one example of terrorists trying to enter the U.S. from Mexico. Give me one example of a white American losing a job because of immigrants.

The children of immigrants are healthier, more likely to graduate high school, less likely to be incarcerated, and less prone to mental problems than the average native child. The vast majority of drug offenders in the U.S. are black or white, so much so that hispanics--and immigrants especially--are under-represented by at least two degrees of separation.

Your opinions are built on sand. Quit repeating what your drunken, redneck dad says at the dinner table and you'll come off as a bit more informed.

Someone (July 25, 2006)

i'll give you an example of how illegal immigration is costing jobs and lowering pay- construction. i know the new punks think everyone should go to college and then move into a nice house after graduation, but some of us live what we preach.Our parents could make a living off carpentry or random labor- but now its a 10 hour shift for half the pay. the working class takes the the hit from illegal immigration and the college class makes the excuses.

why do you think the republicans have not done anything about immigration- you think they had a change of heart? they are getting cheap labor by exploiting the working class

Someone (July 25, 2006)

You (and the illiterate prick below who's likely sitting at a new MacBook in his plush lib arts-school dorm) still didn't give an example. I know white people who make a damned good living from construction. Hell, I have myself. And notice that I said costing JOBS, not wages. That's a red herring, anyway. Here's why.

The market reacts to innumerable conditions like the labor pool, demand, the cost of production, etc. Both supply and demand for construction in the U.S. have exploded in the past two decades, driving costs down. In addition, improving technology has driven the expense of materials and machines way down, also making construction cheaper. Also, the emergence of the U.S. as a tech and service-centric economy has moved the higher-paying jobs to other areas, shifting lower wages to the manual sector. The pressure exerted on wages by lower-paid immigran

show rest of commentYou (and the illiterate prick below who's likely sitting at a new MacBook in his plush lib arts-school dorm) still didn't give an example. I know white people who make a damned good living from construction. Hell, I have myself. And notice that I said costing JOBS, not wages. That's a red herring, anyway. Here's why.

The market reacts to innumerable conditions like the labor pool, demand, the cost of production, etc. Both supply and demand for construction in the U.S. have exploded in the past two decades, driving costs down. In addition, improving technology has driven the expense of materials and machines way down, also making construction cheaper. Also, the emergence of the U.S. as a tech and service-centric economy has moved the higher-paying jobs to other areas, shifting lower wages to the manual sector. The pressure exerted on wages by lower-paid immigrants is just a part of a general trend in the manual labor market. If laborers were still being paid what they were in the 40's it would be prohibitively expensive to build anything, especially for lower-income landowners. Affordable construction and labor are a couple of the only things keeping our economy afloat. You're living in a dream world, yearning for an age that never existed and that you never saw. Trying to change everything now would fuck our economy even worse than China is about to.

No manual labor job has native Americans clamouring for positions. It's just a statistical fact. I've worked in construction, I've worked in kitchens. Neither pays badly, and neither pays less than your average clerical job, which is definitely NOT unavailable to working-class Americans and which definitely isn't being deluged by applications from immigrants. You don't know anyone who's lost a job to immigrants. Neither do I, and neither does anyone you know. Fact. There are still more than enough miserable, yet decent-paying jobs out there for working-class and young Americans. Immigration hasn't budged our unemployment rate one iota. Get over it, read a book or a newspaper or ANYTHING.

Someone (July 25, 2006)

wow, you're really up in arms about this huh? get a grip fag.

Someone (July 25, 2006)

all these crap could quickly be solved if everyone took a class in economics. seriously kids, you don't learn to think for yourself by listening to how punk rockers think for themselves.

Someone (July 25, 2006)

that's nice if you're a spoiled rich kid who lives in the suburbs, but some of us who have to work for a living and can only afford to live in lower-middle-class areas overrun with immigrants and crackheads may see things differently. you sound like a real fucking dickhead acting all high and mighty when i bet you have zero firsthand knowledge of what you are talking about. But hey, it's cool to be PC right?

Someone (July 25, 2006)

what's wrong with the fact that there are immigrants in your neighborhood?

and, by the way, wasn't your family immigrants at some time? how do you think they would have felt if some asshole like you wanted them out?

Someone (July 25, 2006)

"natives" huh? so it's bad to question muslims but you're called indians crazy and jail-bound? dude...

Someone (July 25, 2006)

Do you really believe that? You don't live in my neighborhood then. I'm far from a racist but all the spanish-only speaking mexicans on my block are living in a state of utter poverty, filling up their front and back yards with so much trash we now have our first rat problem in the 18 years i've been living here. You can't get a job in this town anymore if you don't speak spanish, and most of the kids are in gangs. There were far more mexicans than whites in my graduating class, but the majority of the scholastically honored students were white. This is not a commentary on any particular race but on a mindset and social class that minorities seem more prone to.

Someone (July 25, 2006)

Ask yourself this: Do they minorities have the same opportunties that the majority has? When people are kept down so much, they start to fight back in anyway they can. Sadly, it oftens involves crime. The same thing would happen to white people if the roles were reversed.

Someone (July 26, 2006)

so wait, the majority of honor students in an english school were the ones that speak english as a first language? That's crazy.

all bets are off.

Someone (July 26, 2006)

Kudos to whomever posted that last comment. You'd think more people would realize that...

Someone (July 25, 2006)

Numerous studies have concluded that illegal immigration is overwhelmingly beneficial to American citizens. The ONLY people who are negatively affected are those without high school diplomas who must compete for the lowest-paying jobs.

This country was built by immigrants and, no matter how ignorant you are, remember that you are probably the descendant of immigrants.

Someone (July 25, 2006)

How can someone who visits this site (thus showing interest in the punk scene) actually say something as idiotic as that. Yeah let's change the world by using guns.

Someone (July 25, 2006)

ice cube does.

Someone (July 25, 2006)

maybe because whining doesn't work in said police state... just a thought though

Someone (July 25, 2006)

yeah, you tell em! fag!

capitalist_pig (July 25, 2006)

but before you fuck it all, go fuck yourself.

mikeinflames (July 25, 2006)

who?

1+ Reply

Someone (July 25, 2006)

who?????
are you serious?

Someone (July 25, 2006)

" on February 12, 2005"

this is news? it happened a year and a half ago.

2+ Replies

Sirens (July 25, 2006)

Last Updated ( 07.19.2006 )

yeah it did, haha, why is this on here?

Someone (July 25, 2006)

From below:
I just heard about it this week, and after searching the site, I saw it wasn't posted, and thought it would be newsworthy enough to still give it a mention.

Someone (July 25, 2006)

America is at war, and Canada may not take that seriously [...] since 9-11, we take these things seriously.

overreacting like a fucking 4 yr old at "suspicious foreigners" and toting submachine guns in subway stations when you're 40 lbs. overweight and couldn't catch a fleeing assailant if national security counted on it doesn't constitute "taking things seriously."

why didn't they just say they were playing a not for profit gig or something?

spym00se (July 25, 2006)

I'm surprised that a lot of smaller bands still try to tour with gas being $3 a gallon and rising. Soon we will just watch live streams of shows of bands in their hometowns. Almost as good right?

TeddyTexas (July 25, 2006)

well done US government, another terrorist plot foiled! drinks on me!

Someone (July 25, 2006)

where are all the "The Grey more like The Ghey" comments? but seriously i bet it is only news now because I bet they've been detained till now, fucking bullshit border rules on both sides.

- APK

Someone (July 25, 2006)

good less canadians to worry about you know they cause more crime then the blacks do!

3+ Replies

Someone (July 25, 2006)

and you are dumber than bevis and butthead combined.

almightydanish (July 25, 2006)

says the person who spelled beavis wrong.

Someone (July 25, 2006)

Owned

Someone (July 26, 2006)

Only if you count drinking in public and pissing on your landmarks as crime...

Sirens (July 25, 2006)

My buddy was fined 200 dollars for trying to smuggle a pocket knife into Canada.

Border security is a joke. Sorry about your luck guys.

Someone (July 25, 2006)

Goddamn how fucking pathetic. This is what happens when fear and panic are beaten into the skulls of a pretty ignorant nation of people.

KirbyPuckett (July 25, 2006)

General question:

Are there any decent and free applications for creating a music collection database?

Even a web interface would be acceptable.

I want something nice looking, that I don't have to code myself, that I can share w/ my friends, that isn't a .txt file and is searchable.

- Kirby

4+ Replies

Someone (July 25, 2006)

my ex uses Recordnerd.com

Someone (July 25, 2006)

try anyinventory its pretty versatile

miniblindbandit (July 25, 2006)

http://www.download.com/3120-20_4-0.html?tg=dl-20&qt=music%20dat abase&tag=srch

you can sift through those.

givemeamuseumandillfillit (July 25, 2006)

As someone previously said, recordnerd.com

hitlerbadzakgood (July 25, 2006)

border patrol sucks. this is why i havent gone to canada in a while.

Someone (July 25, 2006)

the british documentary The Power of Nightmares should be mandatory viewing for everyone so they can realize how fucked up the US has become

1+ Reply

Someone (July 25, 2006)

Seen it. And I recommend that everone else does the same.

Someone (July 25, 2006)

That is pretty shitty.....kinda weird it is just getting posted now, though. Come on boys, gotta keep up.

1+ Reply

Someone (July 25, 2006)

I just heard about it this week, and after searching the site, I saw it wasn't posted, and thought it would be newsworthy enough to still give it a mention.

miniblindbandit (July 25, 2006)

Remember when that guy with the bloody chainsaw got across the border after he sawed off his neighbor's head? That was cah-razy.

3+ Replies

Sirens (July 25, 2006)

care to elaborate that story?

miniblindbandit (July 25, 2006)

http://www.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2005/6/7/151319.shtml

Someone (July 25, 2006)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4072746.stm

SteveJonesTheRealBones (July 25, 2006)

holy shit, i cant believe they let that crazy fuck in. not even because of the bloody chainsaw and weapons, but because, well, just look at his police photo

- jones the bones

- stevejones8770@yahoo.com

AaronEmerson (July 31, 2006)

The best part was in the other (AP) story.

Fulton's friends in Minto, a village of 2,700 people, told the New Brunswick Telegraph-Journal that he was a popular musician, a guitarist known as the "Chet Atkins of Minto" and a 2001 inductee in the Minto Country Music Wall of Fame.

Someone (July 25, 2006)

what a crock of shite

coffinfullofnails (July 25, 2006)

ive never heard of these guys but thats fucking bullshit. fuck our boarder patrol.

colin (July 25, 2006)

bullllllllshit.

Someone (July 25, 2006)

In America, we don't do things for "fun." Jeez, what were they thinking. Waltzin' into the country to play a show for free. There are plenty of American bands that are willing do to that job for a price, but we keep getting these Canadien bands stealing American band's jobs right out from under them. If you're gonna play a show in the good ol' USA, you better charge the venue thousands to play there.

Someone (July 25, 2006)

This band is really, really good. A total study in late era fugazi rock. Too bad.

SteveJonesTheRealBones (July 25, 2006)

When we got to the border, we, regrettably, lied at first about whether or not we were playing because we were uncertain whether or not we needed visas for a potentially non-paying show.

you know what, fuck this band

dont lie to ANY border patrol and dont throw a hissy fit and quote the one thing border patrol said that would get the "punk community" up in arms.

and if you want to be big boys and tour other countries, fucking KNOW what you do and do not need visas for.

i have no sympathy for a band in this situation

- jones the bones

- stevejones8770@yahoo.com

They couldn't understand that we did this for fun

no shit, especially when you lie about if you are there to work (play) or not when you first try to get in

7+ Replies

Someone (July 25, 2006)

want to be big boys? what a dumb comment! bands have been coming between countries for years and never had these problems. you know what kind of work it takes to allow them to come in and play shows? to do that for a show you are getting $20 is far from worth it

SteveJonesTheRealBones (July 25, 2006)

"bands have been coming between countries for years and never had these problems"

yes, actually they have had these kind of problems for years

"you know what kind of work it takes to allow them to come in and play shows? to do that for a show you are getting $20 is far from worth it"

i thought they didnt do it for the money?

- jones the bones

- stevejones8770@yahoo.com

Someone (July 25, 2006)

I'm sure they do not do it for the money but paying serveral hundred dollars and fees to come play a show and dealing with all the paper work involved is not worth it. There is a difference between not making money and breaking even and losing a lot of money .

Bands have had problems before but always got turned around and not banned for 5 years.

SteveJonesTheRealBones (July 25, 2006)

and what part of what you wrote suggests bands should lie to border patrol?

and yes, bands do get banned from playing in other countries when their is trouble. this is not a new thing, in fact i think i typically have heard it from american bands trying to go to canada

- jones the bones

- stevejones8770@yahoo.com

Someone (July 25, 2006)

"paying serveral hundred dollars and fees to come play a show and dealing with all the paper work involved is not worth it. "

Maybe it's not worth it if you don't care if you get the rubber glove and blacklist treatment.

Someone (July 25, 2006)

Yeah, fuck some guys just trying to work around bullshit regulations to have fun! Long live our inefficient, patriarchal bureaucracy!

-WilliamMarinovic

SteveJonesTheRealBones (July 25, 2006)

nice, i knew at least you would agree

- jones the bones

- stevejones8770@yahoo.com

Someone (July 25, 2006)

And patriarchy has what to do with this situation? Oh, right, nothing. You were just being inflamatory.

RondoMondo (July 25, 2006)

Stick to telling jokes, Jonesy.

SteveJonesTheRealBones (July 25, 2006)

care to elaborate?

- jones the bones

- stevejones8770@yahoo.com

Someone (July 25, 2006)

Your opinion on political matters is strikingly ignorant and not thought out.

SteveJonesTheRealBones (July 25, 2006)

actually, i believe its the other way around. its one thing to tell me that, its another to tell me why

if this band does this for fun, why should they have to lie to border patrol about it?

am i supposed to feel for this band because they cant afford to make it across the border for their hobby, and instead of at least even finding out what they DO need to cross the border, they try and lie, and then complain about the consequences?

- jones the bones

- stevejones8770@yahoo.com

Someone (July 25, 2006)

Yes.

___waltz (July 25, 2006)

I guess we just need more people with the DIY spirit and the punk rock ethic in the border patrol.

Someone (July 25, 2006)

Good to hear, this band sucks anyways.

2+ Replies

Someone (July 25, 2006)

You are just saying that to be negative. I'm 100% sure you have never heard this band. So cool to make some dumb negative comment. Jack ass.

Someone (July 25, 2006)

your comment is oh so positive

Someone (July 25, 2006)

This band is really great and nice people. Sucks they can not come into the US. I really enjoyed seeing their old bands play in the US.

3+ Replies

Someone (July 25, 2006)

fuck usa , they should get bombed and attacked. A taste of their own medicine

Someone (July 25, 2006)

Wait wait...while americans are a fat, lazy spoonfed nation of people, it's certainly not a taste of OUR own medicine to be bombed and attacked. We can't help the atrocities our leaders (or lack thereof) have comittied against other countries. You CAN however blame the average ignorant american for putting these evil fucks in office to begin with. (Bush doesn't count...he was actually NOT elected)

Someone (July 25, 2006)

"Wait wait...while americans are a fat, lazy spoonfed nation of people, it's certainly not a taste of OUR own medicine to be bombed and attacked. We can't help the atrocities our leaders (or lack thereof) have comittied against other countries. You CAN however blame the average ignorant american for putting these evil fucks in office to begin with. (Bush doesn't count...he was actually NOT elected)"

The Lebanese are saying the same thing, but it doesn't seem to be helping them.

Someone (July 25, 2006)

He wasn't? How do you figure? Maybe you could have said that lastime around, but this time he really did win the election as far as I know.

...evildeadalive

SteveJonesTheRealBones (July 25, 2006)

america has been getting bombed and attacked for going on 25 - 30 years now

- jones the bones

- stevejones8770@yahoo.com

Someone (July 25, 2006)

Twenty five to thirty years? I'm pretty sure the only consistent terrorism in America is done by rightwing nuts. Seriously, though... 25 to 30 years, huh?

SteveJonesTheRealBones (July 25, 2006)

since the 80s, yes

terrorist attacks have been made on US soil and american embassys in other countries for years now. the plane hijackings into the towers was not the start, anyone who thinks that is grossly ignorant

- jones the bones

- stevejones8770@yahoo.com

Someone (July 25, 2006)

The placement of your comment was making this terrorism comparable to the terrorism we wage on places like Iraq. Within the opening days of our war with Iraq, we'd already killed more than 3 times as many civillians as those who died in the 9/11 attacks.

I want to know who's basically committing this sort of slaughter against US. I want to know how we can relate to the damage we are doing in other places.

SteveJonesTheRealBones (July 25, 2006)

i dont exactly agree with the war in iraq (what are the civilian death numbers there now, from US since the new war in iraq started?)

but i do know it is ignorant to think that the so called "war on terrorism" is a blind response to 9/11. it is actually a long overdue campaign regardless of whether or not you agree with how it is carried out. muslim extremist terrorism has been made against US soil for years now. frequent attacks i'm talking about. tehran 1979 early 80s
kidnappings of americans in the middle east in the 80s , including beheadings
beirut early 80s
kuwaitthe achille lauro incident
twa flight 840
pan am flight 103
first world trade center attack in 93
uss cole

and many others

i am not about to argue "well US shouldnt have embassies in those countries in the first place" or whatever. i

show rest of comment

Someone (July 25, 2006)

Over 30 thousand civillians have died violent deaths in Iraq since we've started our campaign there.

It isn't just a matter of disagreeing with the Iraq War, it's a matter of insinuating that hatred (and the mass consciousness which they effect and the unrelated people that hurts) can ever be justified. You responded to "America needs to get a taste of their own medicine, blah blah blah" (a sentiment I don't agree with) with "we already have been attacked like that"- and that's just false. Our country has not had to deal with the acts of terror we can afford to inflict upon others just because of how rich and powerful we are.

I agree that on a geopolitical level, tackling terrorism is warranted. War is not the answer, though. Making enemies all over the world and fighting wars to satisfy business interests is not the answer, so the answer to terrorism you'

show rest of comment

SteveJonesTheRealBones (July 25, 2006)

will,

i wasnt saying that the deaths in iraq are justified by the past terrorist attacks on americans

but i did assume that he had no idea how far back terrorism to america has gone on unanswered, and i was right, judging by his followup post. terrorism is horrible and i think there does need to be a campain against terrorism. i dont think it is being executed as it should be right now, but i do think it has gone unanswered by american administrations for far too long.

again, i am not justifying anything in iraq, i was just pointing something out that far to many people never knew or often try to forget.

- jones the bones

- stevejones8770@yahoo.com

boba_fett (July 25, 2006)

rabble rabble rabble.

if you play by the rules, you dont get a penalty. delay of game for flicking the puck into the stands is a dumb rule in hockey, but its a rule and the players respect it or they get a penalty. its pretty simple.

3+ Replies

Someone (July 25, 2006)

Yeah, progress is all about adhering to senseless rules and regulations...

Someone (July 25, 2006)

senseless? telling the truth to border patrol is a senseless rule?

Someone (July 25, 2006)

Yes.

Someone (July 25, 2006)

i agree. isn't punk about not following the rules and law? too many "punks" now think they should be a part of society and follow it rules. they have been hanging out at hot topic and "pretend punk" places too much...

Someone (July 25, 2006)

yeah, more people should murder , lie, cheat, and steal. thats what punk needs

boba_fett (July 25, 2006)

what is senseless is bitching about it on punknews.org.

you wanna change something? then do something.

Someone (July 25, 2006)

Anyway, the CD is really good and people should check it out. Borders are dumb anyway you look at them.

Someone (July 25, 2006)

^^^^

It's good to see some rationality. Because being stereotypical (towelhards, white nednecks) is going to un-ban The Grey. And saying Fuck George Bush is going to hurt his feelings and make him resign.

(/sarcasm)

2+ Replies

Someone (July 25, 2006)

where did anyone act like a redneck or drop a "towelhead" insult?

or am i misunderstanding your post?

Someone (July 26, 2006)

Look about a quarter-way down the comments section.

Someone (July 25, 2006)

whats a nedneck?

Someone (July 25, 2006)

whats a towelhard?

1+ Reply

Someone (July 25, 2006)

that guy is really clueless when it comes to racial putdowns

Someone (July 25, 2006)

America love it or leave it
I would if I could but I don't have any money

2+ Replies

Someone (July 26, 2006)

it's free to hitch hike and hop the border. maybe sign up for peace corps or red cross and stop feeding us excuses, lazy ass

Someone (July 28, 2006)

I'm surprised at all the support of the band. They were either painfully naive or vapidly confident. Yes, 9-11 is irrelevant and weird that the border officer brought it up ... The reality is they were lying and trying to enter a foreign country to work. It's work even if it was a door deal or $200... Simple option - get a work visa. Many indie bands, who wish they could spend their time and money elsewhere go through the process of getting the proper papers. I'm not sure why this band thought they could just lie and get across - particularly when they didn't even lie well. Did they think the border officers weren't hooked up to the internet?

I just read an article about how they are getting a lot of mileage out of the publicity of not getting across the border. How exactly will that help them if they can't play in the US for 5-years ?

Just

show rest of comment

Someone (July 28, 2006)

An article other than this one? Link? I'm curious.

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