CATTLE DECAPITATION Frontman Explains Why Band Can't Tour Canada

San Diego extreme metallers CATTLE DECAPITATION have been forced to cancel their participation in the Canadian leg of the JOB FOR A COWBOY/WHITECHAPEL tour

Commented CATTLE DECAPITATION vocalist Travis Ryan: "Here's the deal, guys.

"I made a big mistake in June of 2001. I went out driving after a few drinks and the cops pulled me over. I blew just UNDER THE LEGAL LIMIT on the roadway (.06 — very much under the legal limit),but since I was swerving while looking in the rearview at the cop racing up behind me, they took me in and I got charged with a DUI. I fought it in court and got it reduced to a reckless driving conviction.

"Just to clarify, this all happened in San Marcos, California, not Canada.

"NOW, the Canadian border only cares about what I was charged with — a DUI, which they take very seriously and have threatened me with possible jail time if I try to come back up to Canada without getting it pardoned at the Canadian/U.S. consulate.

"I paid $250 out of my own pocket for a 'temporary residents permit' each of the three times we've been there since 2007. They said if I do not get a 'pardon' or successfully complete an 'application for rehabilitation' before the next time I try to cross into Canada, I will be going to jail. They keep this info in their systems for 10 years.

"In July 2011, this will all be behind me and I will not have to worry about crossing into Canada anymore.

"Blackenedfest was completely out of our control. That whole tour imploded; luckily, most everyone knows that. I had all the appropriate paperwork on me that I got from the courts to show them that I had completed all programs, fines and classes that the court made me attend in hopes that they would take that and let me in for the Blackenedfest shows. I'm glad now that we didn't make it that far because I hear that this would have been inadmissable evidence and would have been denied entry or detained, possibly JAILED.

"As you can see, it's really out of my control at this point.

"I'm going to go start the process but it takes over six months to complete.

"I have hesitated on getting it taken care of sooner because it involves everything from getting a history report from the FBI to having to pay a ton of money to a HUGE list of stuff that I don't even know if I can complete and you won't know if it went through until AFTER you've paid a ton of money and submitted a ridiculously long checklist that is mandatory to complete in its entirety.

"A lot of bands go through this and get a lot of shit from the fans over there.

"You guys need to realize the Canadian border is very strict and keep a lot of good people from coming over there to say hi and play for you all, but at the same time, I completely understand rules are rules. At the same time, it sucks because this happened nine years ago. I have not driven drunk, been convicted or committed one crime since. It seems like complete bullshit and it sickens me because Canada, especially Toronto and Montreal, have been some of our best shows. Ever.

"Please spread this word and know that we will be back as soon as possible. We ARE NOT flakes — which is obvious as we have 20+ U.S. tours under our belt.

"We hope you guys will wait for us! We'll be back as soon as we can to decapitate you all!!!

"That said, we'd like to announce a couple U.S. shows that will be taking the place of the shows we're supposed to be playing in Canada on this upcoming tour."

Apr. 30 - Chicago, IL @ Reggie's Rock Club (Early Matinee Show! 5:00 p.m.)
May 01 - Cleveland, OH @ Peabody's

As previously reported, Las Vegas, Nevada music store Zia will host an in-store signing session with CATTLE DECAPITATION on Saturday, April 17 at 1:00 p.m. in celebration of "Record Store Day." Fans will be able to pick up CATTLE's latest release, "The Harvest Floor", for the low price of $9.99 and get it signed by the band or they can bring their own swag to get signed.

For more information, see the poster below.

"Record Store Day" celebrates the continued existence of independent record stores, mostly through live in-store appearances, performances and special limited-edition releases that will only be sold through participating stores on the day itself, which is April 17 this year.

CATTLE DECAPITATION last year parted ways with bassist Troy Oftedal due to "musical and personal differences." The band stated at the time, "There is no bad blood and we wish him the best of luck."

CATTLE DECAPITATION's video for the song "A Body Farm" was directed by the band's friend, DOWNSPELL vocalist Tyson Metruccio (who previously helmed BRUTAL TRUTH's "Sugardaddy" clip).

Metal Blade Records released a limited-edition, picture-disc vinyl version of the new CATTLE DECAPITATION album, "The Harvest Floor", on April 14, 2009.

"The Harvest Floor" sold around 1,700 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD debuted at No. 16 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.