Interesting evening in Dallas last night, as
VEGA was kicked off the Crystal Castles bill by CC's management for something that
Alan Palomo of Vega vehemently denies. CC proceeded to cancel the sold-out show altogether at around 10 PM due to what they claim was an "ill-equipped" soundsystem (a soundsystem which has accomodated the likes of
Animal Collective, Holy Fuck, Ratatat, and countless other acts with extensive sound needs in the recent past). Chances are you don't care about this either way unless you're a fan of the band or were one of the thousand or so kids waiting outside for 2+ hours for the show to start, but here goes, and you can make up your own mind:
My
hasty tweets last night about the evening's events prompted the following response from a
representative of the Crystal Castles, which, of course, the
Granada Theater categorically denies in their reply,
after the jump...****************
From a representative of Crystal Castles:
"a) Vegas (sic) were not kicked off for "petty bullshit", if Vegas want to try to create an internet meme out of this that's fine, whatever.
b) CC obviously did not want to leave 1000+ people hanging outside. The people at Granada pulled the plug on CC during CC's soundcheck, claiming they feared CC would "blow the soundsystem." The people at Granada tried to rent (at the last minute) proper speakers that would not "blow" for the show but it just couldn't happen on short notice. At one point they thought they had found professional speakers but 2 hours later this fell through and the decision was made that the show could not happen. Also of note, a DJ had blown their speakers a few weeks ago and they did not want this to happen again. They said they couldn't afford to repair the speakers again. It would be nice if you knew the truth and were fair to the band since this wasn't their fault. The blame goes to whoever booked this band at this ill-equipped venue."
and finally:
"Vega stole an FX-Pedal from CC. If this is not a good reason to get kicked off a bill and (possibly) get blacklisted by a promoter I don't know what is. Worst part is CC liked the guys and tried to convince us to forgive them."
VEGA's Alan Palomo denies this: "Fucking bullshit." Apparently CC borrowed one of VEGA's guitars in Austin the previous night, and the FX-pedal ended up in the guitar cab. As soon as Vega realized they were in possession of one of CC's pedals (shortly after the Austin show), they called CC's management to rectify the situation, and arranged to return the pedal in Dallas. Both the venue and Vega feel that Crystal Castles had no intention of playing this show with Vega on the bill from the beginning. Listen to audio of Palomo's response here.
****************
Mike Schoder, owner of the Granada, sent this reply:
"Let me start with a definition:
Prima donna:
Prima donnas cannot help the way they are because their parents spoiled them and they are still developing their personalities.
All a prima donna has to do is whine and their parents give them what they want.
Here's how our day went at the Granada on Tue:
Vega (Alan from Ghosthustler) opened for CC in Austin Monday night.
At 5pm (3 hrs before doors) we received a call from CC that Vega could not be on the bill.
Vega had been approved by CC in advance for the bill.
Early on Tue CC hired a light tech from Austin that is also a DJ to replace Vega.
CC could have communicated with Vega early in the day before they left Austin.
Vega was at the Granada waiting to soundcheck.
CC would not enter the building until Vega was gone from the premise.
Alan was super cool. No prima donna.
We've never seen this request. The other co-promoter out of Austin has never seen this kind of request.
CC whining...
CC soundchecked at 6pm instead of at 4pm.
CC didn't "like the sound of their kickdrum".
CC insists that "more woofers be brought in".
Rental places close at 6pm.
It is now 7pm.
Granada has 16 - 18" sub-woofers and 12 - 15" sub-woofers. Also 32 - 8" midranges. Lots of firepower.
Sound check was great.
CC says they would rather cancel the show than possibly not have enough kick drum.
Granada begs that the show goes on.
Granada even offers to dismantle sub woofer stacks and place them in different places in the room.
Granada was willing to do anything to have the show go on.
CC waits until after 10pm to give final cancellation.
The show must go on. Life is all perception. One person sees the day as beautiful, another sees the day as crap.
Why would any band crap on their fans like this?
Insecurity is a cancer. Love yourself. Love your sound guy and the system at the club you are playing.
Play the show. Then listen to your fans. If you don't like the sound at a club never go back to the club.
We've had every big band imaginable in every genre imaginable and had amazing shows.
Nobody has complained about our sound. This is totally out of left field.
The sound at Granada is amazing...and would have been if CC would have just got on stage and played.
Today Granada is refunding ticket cost and entire service charge to each patron.
No one cares for live music more than we do. We've put together an amazing room, staff and sound system.
We'll see you soon fellow music fans.
Mike Schoder and all the Staff at Granada.
****************
Labels: crystal castles, dallas, granada theater, VEGA
Our weekly Sirius XM Blog Radio show airs today at noon Eastern (and again at midnight) on Sirius XMU. This week's episode features brand new music from White Denim, Acrylics, Vibes, the Field, SALEM, the Big Pink, and more. You can listen online with a free trial here. Check this week's playlist + some mp3s after the jump...
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