Velvet Revolver Denied Visas by Japanese Immigration
Despite the fact that they were allowed to tour here back in 2005, Velvet Revolver has discovered that they are no longer allowed in Japan:
US hard rockers Velvet Revolver have cancelled a tour of Japan after being denied visas due to past scuffles with the law.
The band, featuring three members of rock legends Guns N’ Roses and the Stone Temple Pilots’ volatile former frontman Scott Weiland, issued an apology to Japanese fans on their website.
“We don’t understand why the authorities won’t give us visas when they granted them for us in 2005 for what was a successful tour and a great experience. We love Japan and look forward to our return there,” they said.
“The increasingly tough Japanese immigration officials are taking exception with the backgrounds of various band members, which have included arrests,” they said, adding they would appeal the decision.
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Wow…Sony’s PR people must be laughing pretty hard over this. It’s so easy for them just to place a few phone calls and have a rival label’s band banned from entering Japan to tour. Guess you need to sign with Sony, guys!
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Now they’re keeping Slash out?!
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Its interesting that they would deny such high profile individuals, though they do have a hefty combined criminal record.
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+1 for Japanese Immigration!
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Fuck, why don’t they just get it over with and put a GPS device on every gaijin, because we all know that they’re the ONLY ones that cause problems in Japan.
That’s what this fucking fascist state is coming to.
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Just to put this in context, it’s not all that unusual. Australia refused Snoop Dogg entry a couple of years back because he had previous arrests for possession of drugs and firearms.
It should be noted that, in this case, the band weren’t refused entry to Japan, they were refused the visas necessary to their working in Japan.
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Velvet Revolver have done more drugs than some smaller japanese prefectures combined …. but that’s why they make good music. It’s Japan’s loss!
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