NEW MODEL ARMY show 9/9 cancelled

[Manny]

THE NEW MODEL ARMY SHOW, scheduled for 9/9 at 31st ST PUB, IS CANCELLED.
Please read the message below from New Model Army's manager for
the reason.
Tickets are refundable at the point of purchase - tickets were 
purchased at Slacker, the 31st St Pub, and Paul's. So bring your ticket 
back and you'll get the refund.
Thank you for your understanding, and sorry for any convenience.

From: "Tommy Tee"
Date: September 4, 2007 6:37:54 PM EDT
Subject: NEW MODEL ARMY - VISAS DENIED

Hello everyone. I hope you're sitting down.
 
It pains me greatly to tell you this, but we today have been 
informed that the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services 
have taken precisely 20 weeks (instead of the usual 8 or 9) to DENY our 
I-129 Non Immigrant Visa Applications. This means we cannot travel to 
the US for the tour and I have to very regretfully cancel all the 
shows.
 
At this point we do not know why, a letter explaining the decision 
mailed in LA on August 29th has still to arrive at our representatives 
(Traffic Control - one of the USA's most experienced and well respected 
visa consultancies) in New York. When we do, I will let you know, but 
it is bound to be some bullshit reason.
 
With previous work visas in our passports and travelling with a 
significant amount of musical equipment, it would be nigh on impossible 
to gain entry without the necessary paperwork, not to mention foolhardy 
if we ever want to come back in the next 5 years.
 
I can only apologise on behalf of the band as I know how much work has 
gone into all these shows. For our part, having spent the past four 
years trying to rebuild the fanbase and reputation of the band in North 
America after a long absence, we are bitterly disappointed. The new 
studio album "HIGH" is instore today and is getting a great response. 
We were looking forward another month in a van. Honestly. It was going 
to be great.
 
I am also sorry if I have put some of you to extra cost and 
inconvenience by re-scheduling shows which now have to be cancelled. 
Having been granted visas without drama or problem for three years in 
succession, I did not think for one minute that we would be refused, 
just that the inefficiency of the USCIS was setting us new challenges. 
But then you know what they say about assumption............
 
I have been assured by Tony at Negative 3 that any and all deposits 
will be returned as soon as possible. We will start an appeal procedure 
as soon as we find out why we have been refused, but that will take at 
least 2 months - far too long to resurrect any of the current dates. We 
hope to be able to re-book as many shows as possible once we have the 
visas firmly stamped in our passports but with European touring 
commitments up until Christmas, any re-scheduled dates will now not be 
until the late spring.
 
I am repeatedly told this is common, and that tours are being cancelled 
all the time due to Immigration problems, but I can tell you that in 25 
years of managing bands I have never had to cancel a tour, 
anywhere, and it does not sit well with me at all, but in this case I 
have no choice.
 
There is little more I can say at this time, but I wanted to let you 
all know as soon as I did about this total clusterfuck.
 
I really am very sorry but the situation is completely out of our hands.
 
Regards
 
Tommy Tee
Manager, New Model Army