Upstate NY Officials Object To 'Gutter Language' At EVANESCENCE/COLD Concert

Jessica Ryen of the Utica Observer-Dispatch reports that "an estimated 18,000 people attended the eighth annual K-Rockathon which has been housed at Vernon Downs [in Vernon, New York] for six of those years. [Saturday's] [Aug. 16] concert, which headlined EVANESCENCE, COLD and SALIVA, also featured six other bands. A tenth band, DEFAULT, was scheduled to perform, but could not get a flight out of the Toronto airport due to last week's power outage.

"Reacting to Vernon Mayor William Osborne's statement that he would do everything in his power to stop the K-Rockathon from playing at Vernon Downs again, track director of marketing Mark Scalzo said Monday he was happy with the way things went at [the] concert.

" 'We were very happy there were no problems, and speaking with officials such as the Thruway and local law enforcements, we were told by numerous people that things went smoothly, Scalzo said.

"Osborne said Sunday he was not pleased with the 'gutter language repeated in song and by band leaders or hosts on stage.'

"Modern Rock K-Rock program director Abbie Weber said such language is not unheard of at rock concerts.

" 'If the only concern is the language — it was a rock concert,' she said. 'For a month and a half, the town knew a rock concert was coming through. You can't edit songs for a live show.'

"Vernon Town Supervisor Myron Thurston said he would 'strongly encourage Vernon Downs to not have this type of concert again.'

" 'That type of concert has to be contained in an indoor venue,' he said. 'People sitting in their homes a mile away shouldn't have to hear that.' " Read more.