vastar iner
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Post by vastar iner on Mar 20, 2008 22:55:47 GMT 1
Can we start a boycott of American acts?
Bearsuit have just posted a myspace bulletin to say that they were deported from America as soon as they arrived. They join an immensely long list of acts over the past year that have either been barred or forced to cancel gigs because of the protectionist immigration policies in America - Kate Nash, The View, Lily Allen, Amy Winehouse, The Pipettes, The Indelicates and Klaxons are just some that come to mind.
It is obvious that the American government does not want to allow British acts to go to America and have any level of success. Whereas the same does not apply over here, any old rubbish is allowed to perform, even if, like Lil' Wayne, they do a 14 minute set before bunking off in a sulk.
Maybe it would get their attention if everybody refused to buy US acts for a while.
Augh. It's sickening.
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musicfan2000
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Post by musicfan2000 on Mar 21, 2008 1:04:46 GMT 1
is your rant over??
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Post by S1m on Mar 21, 2008 1:11:54 GMT 1
Maybe these acts should stop getting convicted for drugs offences?
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Post by Toy Toy's Boy on Mar 21, 2008 9:05:09 GMT 1
What the hell? Yes, I'll boycott great music and talented bands/singers because a load of British artists were not allowed into America for their lack of work-visas and/or repeated drug charges. Urgh. It's the law not some vendetta against the UK. Leona's just gone Top 10 in the Billboard Hot 100 - I'm guessing they'll deport her now
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vastar iner
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Post by vastar iner on Mar 21, 2008 12:35:56 GMT 1
Maybe these acts should stop getting convicted for drugs offences? Um, I don't think you'll find that most of them have drugs offences. And the American customs are the one stopping them from getting work visas and/or the correct passports. The Indelicates had theirs awarded well in advance - but the US embassy didn't send them until the day after they were meant to be playing in New York. It's protectionism. The UK has a sixth of the US population so around 15 of the Hot 100 should be from the UK. When was the last time that occurred? That's why we should boycott. It is a deliberate attempt to squash British acts to the advantage of their acts.
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musicfan2000
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Post by musicfan2000 on Mar 21, 2008 12:52:26 GMT 1
paranoid mate??
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vastar iner
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Post by vastar iner on Mar 21, 2008 13:11:17 GMT 1
You'd be paranoid if they were all out to get you.
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Post by S1m on Mar 21, 2008 16:32:27 GMT 1
It's protectionism. The UK has a sixth of the US population so around 15 of the Hot 100 should be from the UK. When was the last time that occurred? Your maths is all wrong btw. Shouldn't it be the UK population as a percentage of the WORLD population? Otherwise, China with its billions should have more than 100 records in the Hot 100. And since when were the charts proportional? The type of music which is popular in America at the moment isn't the type of music UK artists make.
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vastar iner
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Post by vastar iner on Mar 21, 2008 16:49:24 GMT 1
True enough. I was thinking about the fact that decent music from the entire world outside Britain and North America (Scandinavia and Juniper Moon excepted) could pretty much fit on an ipod shuffle and leave room enough for the Gotterdammerung.
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Post by Doctor Blind on Mar 21, 2008 18:03:57 GMT 1
I think this is also part of the next BNP manifesto. Sorry, but you are talking complete crap! Sit down, take a chill pill and then read back through the xenophobic rubbish you've posted.
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vastar iner
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Post by vastar iner on Mar 21, 2008 18:07:38 GMT 1
Go on, then, what's not true? The fact that visas have been denied to British artists because of "incompetence"? The fact that Lil' Wayne did a 14 minute set before bunking off in a sulk? The rest is opinion. And I have more albums from Iceland than from the rest of the non-English/American world combined.
Are you happy that British artists are not allowed into the States? Whereas the same does not apply in reverse? Are you happy with that imbalance of trade?
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Post by Doctor Blind on Mar 21, 2008 18:09:07 GMT 1
^^ That.
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Post by Panda on Mar 21, 2008 19:16:51 GMT 1
This thread has overtaken the "Is Taio Cruz gay?" thread for the funniest/most moronic thread in the music section...
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Post by Toy Toy's Boy on Mar 21, 2008 19:22:39 GMT 1
Are you happy that British artists are not allowed into the States? Whereas the same does not apply in reverse? Are you happy with that imbalance of trade? Why would America not want British acts? They go over to the USA, do concerts and TV appearences - generating money for the economy and spending their own earnings while they're there, then flying back home. It would help America if anything.
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vastar iner
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Post by vastar iner on Mar 21, 2008 19:48:50 GMT 1
That's what I think as well. Plus there would be a halo effect of getting more people interested in everything that's going on out there.
But how else can one explain the policies being carried out by the US government when it comes to musical acts touring the States?
I mean, do you know what you have to do to get a performance visa?
1. File a petition that you are a "known international artist" for a lengthy and sustained period. Immediately that blocks a lot of unknown acts from having a go at the US market.
2. $1,000 tax for the three month service.
3. Apply for the actual visa itself.
4. Turn up in person at the US Embassy for a visa appointment (tough luck if you're from Carlisle).
5. Have an interview on a later date to see if you're worthy.
6. Wait for the US Government to counter-stamp the interview result.
7. Get passport returned some time in the next month.
All of these stages cost money as well.
What else is it but protectionism? Klaxons were barred from a visa because they weren't considered famous enough...
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Post by LittleChristmasTurkey on Mar 21, 2008 20:21:23 GMT 1
Well, they're not. Plus, they're sh*t.
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vastar iner
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Post by vastar iner on Mar 21, 2008 20:41:35 GMT 1
Not the point. Someone who's reached the top 5 here surely meets the criteria?
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Post by LittleChristmasTurkey on Mar 21, 2008 21:54:32 GMT 1
I wouldn't have thought so; they're practically unheard of even here. And they certainly don't qualify as a "known international artist for a sustained and lenghty period of time".
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Post by suedehead on Mar 21, 2008 22:36:14 GMT 1
It's the inconsistency though. We will (rightly) allow almost any American act to come and perform here. The US have an arbitrary test about whether an artist is a "known international artist for a sustained and lenghty period of time".
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vastar iner
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Post by vastar iner on Mar 21, 2008 23:46:07 GMT 1
^ That's the point. Made a lot better though. It's the same with crime suspects - Britain can't extradite anyone from the States without showing near-conviction-level proof, whereas anyone can be picked up and sent to the US on a mere letter of request.
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