MACHINE HEAD's Concert Promoter Defends Band Over New Zealand Concert Cancellation

A.J Maddah, Managing Director of KMW Productions — which acts as MACHINE HEAD's concert promoter for the Australia/New Zealand territory — has issued a statement regarding the cancellation of MACHINE HEAD's October 26 concert in Auckland, New Zealand over what the group called "difficulties [in securing] passports and work visas, preventing the band from getting the necessary clearances from the respective consulates [in New Zealand and Korea] in time to enter and perform in both countries." His statement reads as follows:

"I feel that we need to address the erroneous, outrageous statement issued by an external contractor connected with Peter Campbell, our New Zealand representative without the consent or approval of Mr. Campbell or the actual promoter of the event.

"The erroneous statement is particularly astonishing as we are fully aware of developments leading to the cancellation of MACHINE HEAD's nearly sold-out performance scheduled for Auckland this week and the tireless effort by the band to salvage the shows.

1. While the New Zealand visas were approved by the New Zealand Immigration Department, entry into the country is subject to the band submitting their passports to a New Zealand consulate in advance of the tour. Unfortunately the band and crew passports were not returned by The Japanese Embassy in time to do this. The band made every effort possible, including hiring one of the most reputable and expensive visa processing companies in the world to try to expedite the processing of work visas from all the necessary consulates.

2. Having worked with MACHINE HEAD for nearly a decade, and having observed Robb Flynn and the band's sheer dedication to the band's fanbase makes the tone and contents of this drivel positively astounding. MACHINE HEAD have an impeccable reputation for delivering for their fans and making it to their shows through circumstances including snowstorms, floods, injuries and personal tragedy. This band has proven the high respect it holds for its fans all over the world. It is therefore absurd to suggest that they would treat their New Zealand fans with disrespect.

3. The Auckland show was scheduled and insisted upon by the band (despite my recommendation to the contrary) due to the band's desire not only to perform for their patient and dedicated supporters in New Zealand, but also because the country was foremost in the band's wish-list of destinations to visit.

4. The band have incurred an enormous financial loss by having to cancel and rebook airfares and losing the income from this show while still having to pay for accommodation and crew wages while on a layover in Australia.

"This cancellation has been well and truly outside and beyond the control of MACHINE HEAD, the band's representatives and promoters. We are all deeply saddened to have to disappoint the fans and all efforts will be made to prioritise New Zealand on the band's next visit to Oceania."

The "uncensored" and "unedited" five-and-a-half-minute version of MACHINE HEAD's video for the song "Now I Lay Thee Down" has been posted on the band's official web site. It can also be viewed below.

The clip was shot in February and additional footage was filmed in August. Mike Sloat directed, working in various locations around San Francisco, but mostly in and around the Regency Center, a theater built in 1909. According to Roadrunner Records, "All of the backdrops of the play are original to the theater, close to 100 years old and include ornate images of hell, forest, and more.

As for the plot, the band's label says, "the video is a play about a past time in which a strange and grotesque man, who is shunned by society and outcast, decides that he wants to know what it's like to die. He asks his lover, the only person who cares for him, to take his life. Reluctantly, she does. But then she becomes so distraught and miserable about losing her only love that she decides she must take her own life as well to be with him forever. The play ends with the two lovers together again, at last in the afterlife. The curtain drops and the entire cast bows to the audience."