PP USA X: Major roster changes
July 16, 2009
After nine shows, I think I have earned everyone’s trust and the right to speak brutally honest. In fact, I think this is what most fans want to hear: the truth. Nobody wants to hear another lame two sentence explanation about “visa problems.” I will not hide behind anything.
I have been doing my own visa applications since ProgPower USA IV for 75% of the roster. Hiring a professional company to do the visas for a single performance is prohibitive due to costs. Imagine paying $36,000 just for visas up front before any other expense is incurred. The process has become so convoluted and intricate that it pushes me to insanity’s edge at times. However, I have had no choice but to suck it up and deal with it in order to maintain the festival. I have never had a problem prior to this year with obtaining visas for bands that I have applied for myself. Think of how many bands that is over the last six years. This is the same model used by other successful festivals such as NEARfest. However, this year has left me questioning whether or not to continue with the festival after 2010.
We started the visa application process back in early May. It takes three weeks to obtain approval from AFM (American Federation of Musicians). Once that approval is obtained, you send it in along with your 40+ pages of paperwork for governmental processing. There is a 90 day window for this decision process. I received approval for the majority of the bands in early June. The process was moving regularly. I then received a request for “further information” on the remaining four bands in mid-June. That has happened once before about four years ago and I resolved it quickly. I scrambled and sent in an additional 25 pages of documentation including peer letters, reviews, etc. for each band in order to prove the designation request that I have always used.
I just received notification on Monday that the visa applications for Andre Matos, Vanden Plas, Tomorrow’s Eve, and Power Quest were denied.
Each individual case is reviewed by one person at the visa processing center. Evidently, if you get the right person, you have no problems. You get the wrong person and you get rejected. It’s as simple as that. There is no possible way to speak to any officer directly involved with your case to clarify, ask questions, etc. There is absolutely no method to the madness. How else can you explain how the remaining bands were approved with the standard documentation compared to the other bands that with more that failed? How else can you explain that I have never had a problem in the past using the exact same process and documentation? I have even had a situation in the past with half of a band approved (different nationality/consul) and the other half rejected initially based on the exact SAME documentation. Yes, you read that correctly. That proves that no two screeners follow the same reviewing standards.
Recently, there have been numerous articles on this same problem that all promoters are experiencing. I invite you to read the following article that describes this nightmare process:
http://thephoenix.com/Boston/News/63473-Immigrant-song/?page=2
I could appeal the cases. That costs an additional $700 per case and has a 30-60 day time frame for a decision. That would probably be money wasted as it is too close to the festival date with absolute no guarantees. In the case of Matos & Vanden Plas, I did seek out a professional consultation and was willing to pay the additional costs to get the processing completed within 30 days. They would seek out the a different designation that is used in all touring situations. I was going to do whatever it took to get them here. However, I just heard back from them and they do not believe it would be a quick and easy case based on the previous denial of the designation that I have been using for the past six years! The visa consultants told me I have been “lucky.” Evidently, I have been lucky for six years straight? If someone would have failed me previously, I would have done things a different way this year. I had no reason to believe otherwise. Even if the band was approved, there is no guarantee the visas would be received until mid-August. That would leave the bands only 2-3 weeks to complete their interview processes in their own country. In most countries, you must have the approval in hand before you even schedule your interviews. Once again, there would be no guarantees even if I spent an additional $5,000 per band on every possible last ditch attempt.
These bands did nothing wrong. I attempted to play by the rules and the government’s process failed me. A quick google search will find that I am not alone. I cannot wait until the last minute to fix this and risk further cancellations; nor will I do anything illegal to get a band in the country. That is not fair to the bands or to the fans. Each of these bands will be brought back in the future using a different process and designation. That is the only fair thing to do. I do not see this as a problem for the bands in the future. We are simply out of time for this year.
I take pride in my work. I take pride in doing things the right way. I take pride in this festival. I take pride in being honest with the fans who are family to me. This situation has hit me hard and caused me many sleepless nights. I sincerely apologize to everyone. All I can say is that I promise to do my best in the future to prevent this from happening again. I will make a decision on continuing the festival in 2011 based on how smoothly 2010 goes. I simply cannot have this happen again.
That said, the show must go on…
Crimson Glory has been selected as the new headliner for Friday night. This will be the band’s tribute show to honor and commemorate the musical legacy left behind by their recently departed brethren, Midnight. Wade Black, along with several guest vocalists, will join the band on stage to perform classics from the band’s entire career. The band promises to make this a once in a lifetime show.
Brazil’s MindFlow (with approved visas!) will take over the second slot on the first night of the show. The critically acclaimed progressive metal band will be debuting material from their upcoming release at the show.
American power metallers, Cage, will bring their crushing style of metal to the opening slot of the festival. Their most recent album, “Science of Annhilation,” continues to draw rave reviews from media all over the world.
Please note, the site will be updated over the next couple days to reflect the new lineup.
Wow, as disappointed as I am to hear Andre Matos wont be playing, I cant tell you how excited I am to hear the new new replacement bands include Crimson Glory and Cage. How do you do it Glen ? !
Having seen both, I can tell you they are gonna blow away the fans at PPUSA X !
No matter what happen..we support you Glen…PP USA never die!!
Mindflow!!! Fuck yeah! Destructive Device is a killer fucking release!
anyway I’ll be there to support the prog power
This royally sucks:( The TWO MAIN reasons I was going was for Andre Matos and Vanden Plas. My favorites..I’ve been waiting years to see and now..bleh. I had a feeling this was going to happen from the beginning with the whole Vanden Plas being denied before the last time. I’m incredibly disappointed and really sad to hear this…but I do appreciate your honesty, not leaving us wondering why, and the whole tact you took with it. Crimson Glory will be cool.. I’ll be there to support Progpower regardless..
Glenn,
Thanks for your honesty & I sincereley hope that you decide to keep this “one of a kind” fest going as this will only be my second attendance!! I was anxiously awaiting the moment that I could see Andre Matos, Vanden Plas, et al.; however the replacements you have scheduled are equally alluring as well!!
Also a promoter (of shows far less complicated than what Glenn is putting together), I can attest to the fact that govt paperwork bullshit is a nightmare, and the worst aspect of it is there’s no accountability on their end. Having said that, I wish Glenn the best and hope he continues the festival for years to come.
Glenn, despite the sleepless nights having to deal with personalities you’re not allowed to talk with face-to-face, you’ve done a great job with what I’m sure will be another successful ProgPowerUSA. Cage and Crimson And while, (again), this seems to just fall under the heading of, ‘Shitty Things That Happen In Rock and Roll-Constantly’. Jeez… one could write a book.
You’ve never failed to go above and beyond for the fans of this show. I know many (I, for one) have come to take for granted the fact that ProgPower is one show during the year that is exemplary… always well-done, excellent bands, fans, venue, etc. So regardless of what you decide to do in the future, just know that there are a ton of people willing to help with whatever they can do (w/o needing to be paid…) and a lot more that appreciate everything you’ve done throughout the years to make ProgPowerUSA stand out above the rest and to make every show shine in the vision of the original show’s promoters.
Thanks for everything, brother..
Appreciate your update Glen… most honorable on your part… this is nothing more than a setback, a big one for sure, but still only a setback… the entire PPUSA X lineup is still so kick ass that my support will still be there this year and every other year… keep moving forward my good man… your efforts now and over the past years are greatly appreciated… bl
My wife is from Brazil and we had a “relatively” easy time getting her a fiancee visa and now she’s about to get permanent residency. That being said, the “relatively” part was because I hired a lawyer after being told that to go forward without doing so would be ludicrous. However even the lawyer admitted that a few years ago you could complain and talk with the people in charge, but now mostly it’s done through the mail with very little face to face contact. I find it amusing on how the government is all up in arms about illegal immigrations while they make it so difficult for the legitimate people to come here. At any rate, I don’t know if it would help to hire a lawyer every year to make sure these visas are processed, because as I said it’s all done through the mail anonymously now. Sorry for your trouble but I’m sure everybody appreciates all you go through and do to make sure we get a good show! Keep up the good work!
A bit disappointed by Vanden Plas’ absence but Crimson Glory and Cage (and Mindflow) more than makes up for it! Glad you were able to find such class substitutes. Damn shame about those bands who cannot attend, they’re going to miss one helluva party!
Man, i can only say. Im a big Crimson Glory fan, and was saddened to hear about midnight ..I am now coming to the show and i bought 5 tickets because of the new line up ..I think its gonna be Great..I read about the replacement bassist “Nolen Strong” in his my space . He once played with maynard (of Tool) And casey Grillo of Kamolot ..we saw him at a festival in tampa very assume,, and “Wade Black” is great Not to even rave about the others..i think this is very nice for Midnight one last good-by to a Great Singer. .. Thank you for setting this up I hope you do this next year Maybe all american bands.. There are allot of very cool acts out there Rock On AMERICA And ProgPowerUSA
You made a very good choice with MindFlow. I so wish I could be there. Think people will be happy with your choice…Brenda
Glenn, I’m flying from WI for my 1st ProgPowerUSA show and this news will not change my opinion of the show, especially with the announcement of the Crimson Glory Midnight tribute and all the guest vocalists / musicians that wil be supporting them!
Fates, Pagan’s Mind, Crimson Glory, Mindcrime on Wed, etc – it’s an awesome 4 days and I can’t wait to get there.
This whole cluster-fuck, caused by our elected officials is an outrage ! The government is supposed to work for the people “We the People”, not against the people. This whole deal reminds me why I like the epic album “Operation Mindcrime”, and more specifically Anarchy X through Speak ! These songs are right on the money.
” The rich control the government, the media the law ”
Glenn, you have always been a straight up guy and a true inspiration to us all. Don’t let these IDIOTS stop you from doing future shows. We are with you, and support you 100%. Keep kicking ass !
I hear you! I’ve been having the exact same situation with my work visa right now!
I had my work visa approved in 2008 to work as a graphic designer and now I changed employers and they decided that they need more paper work to prove I’m eligible to be a graphic designer here….even having the fact they didn’t have any problems with my paper work in the past!
Butttttttt….it is what it is…..
I just wish they could expend more energy with those who are trying to do things illegally and not the ones trying to do legally like you and me!
Good luck next year my friend! And I’m sure the event will still be amazing!