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The British punk legend UK Subs must accept a heavy setback. Three band members were arrested in the USA on arrival and deported directly. The musicians originally wanted to perform at the Punk Invasion Festival in Los Angeles.
As bassist Alvin Gibbs announced on Facebook on Wednesday, March 19, he and Stefan Häublein and Marc Carrey were recorded by the US customs after landing at Los Angeles. After hours of survey, the UK Subs was denied entry. They had to travel back to Great Britain.
The only bandmate who was allowed to enter the United States was front man Charlie Harper. After all, he nevertheless performed at the Festival in The Belasco Theater – supported by replacement musicians.
Criticism of Trump?
According to Gibbs, his entry was stopped for two reasons. He was officially informed that his visa was incorrect. The authorities did not give a second reason. “I wonder if my repeated public criticism of her president and his government has played a role. Or whether I slowly become paranoid,” Gibbs wrote in his statement.
He describes what followed as traumatic. “Two police officers accompanied me to a separate area of the airport, where I already found Stefan and Marc in a cold cell. Together with other people from Colombia, China and Mexico. My luggage, my phone and my passport were confiscated.”
Meanwhile, his partner waited 25 hours until he came back. Gibbs reports that he had to do without sleep for over a day. His only meal consisted of an instant noodle dish and a few cups of tea.
Conclusion of the bass player: “It looks like my relationship with the USA ended for an indefinite period.”