We have been absolutely devastated since being told that we couldn't perform at Soundwave this year. We've heard it's because we acted like "a bunch of rude ungrateful cunts" as AJ articulated ever so warmly in an email to us.
We'd like to take a moment and address briefly the outrageous claims by Mr. Maddah. With only days before the beginning of the festival, we still didn't have any information. They were booking our flights as part of our deal and we still hadn't received any flight details or tour details. We were also under the impression that they'd be paying for our hotels the same that they do for all of the other Soundwave artists. Finding out that we were responsible for that ourselves was perfectly fine. Nobody even challenged it. We simply said okay and moved on. They were also providing ground transportation. Seeing as how we live in Australia and are already in Brisbane rehearsing for the tour, it seems a logical question to want to know if we should meet them somewhere central or if they'd be picking us up where we currently were. We were told they could pick us up and that was the end of that conversation. If they had a problem with any of those things they should have spoken up. We didn't demand or even request anything. We simply asked them questions for things that were still unanswered. Nobody raised their voice or even got upset. Minutes after hanging up what we felt was a normal routine conversation, we get a call from AJ. Keep in mind this is the first time that we are speaking to AJ about ANYTHING. After listening to a mouthful of profanity and being belittled, he ended his sentence with "you're off the festival" and then hung up on us without the slightest opportunity for discussion. You can imagine our shock. It's impossible to entertain the thought that we offended someone so deeply by asking logistical touring questions.
Obviously we were and still are confused over what happened. Had we been in the wrong, we would have promptly apologized. But we are not in the wrong in this matter. Mr. Maddah is clearly in the wrong and we won't beg forgiveness for something we didn't do.
Judging by the behavior so far, I'm certain we'll be painted as some ungrateful punks. The truth is we were very honored to have been included in the festival. We were blown away when we found out we'd be playing Main Stage. We are well aware that AJ was doing a favor to our manager but nobody asked him to put us on the main stage and nobody asked him to offer us as much as he did which he's now complaining about. He's the one that offered us the money. We expected much less and were again very grateful when we got the offer. We demanded nothing through this process and have been thankful each step of the way. He's the one that offered us these great opportunities and then took them all away. Anyone that knows us will tell you that we aren't the type of band this man has suggested we are.
All we ever wanted from day one is to play our music for people. It's truly a shame that our fate on this tour has been decided by the whims of one man's lofty imagination. We aren't about to let this dictate our future though. We will be making plans immediately to play a handful of FREE shows for those that went to Soundwave hoping to see us play. While it isn't our choice not to play, it isn't yours either. We will do everything we can to make this right for those that wanted to see us play. We'll also be making plans to do a full headline tour before leaving for Warped Tour this year.
We're grateful to have so many supportive friends and fans that know how absolutely childish and absurd this is. It's sad that this type of behavior exists and is tolerated in an industry designed to promote positivity, creativity and artistic expression through music. Let's not allow one person's negativity keep us from remembering that music is meant to be a catalyst for good; to uplift and encourage. If there's ever a time to remember that, it's now.
Hello everybody,
We are honoured and excited to announce that we will be joining our good friends FACT on their headlining tour in JAPAN!!!!!!!
For those who are asking yes we will have merch and cd's for sale and yes, we want to meet each and everyone of you. How else will be get better at our Japanese?
Spread the word my friends. :D
Dates:
Mon, Feb 8 : Shibuya @ O-East 東京都
Tues, Feb 9 : Shibuya Club (Quattro) 東京都
Thurs, Feb 11: Nagoya Club Quattro (Aichi) 愛知県
Fri, Feb 12: Shinsaibashi Club Quattro (Osaka) 大阪府
We will see you all very soon.
ありがとうございます。 :)
-Closure in Moscow S2
Hey party people,
We are quite proud to be this years only Australian band on the Soundwave tour. We are even more stoked to be playing the Mainstage in front of our home crowds.
This is a massive honour for us and we cannot wait to bring it to you guys for Soundwave. I want to see some gnarly things during our set as we have pumped up Aussie crowds to the rest of the bands on the bill. They think there going to war with you guys, so lets show them.
The Soundwave timetables have ben released and the link is here ----> http://www.soundwavefestival.com/forum/soundwave-timetables
See you all there,
-Manny :D
The drive last night was brutal, although we have successfully completed countless 50+ hour drives across the USA the 10 hour leg from Maryland to South Carolina felt like an epic journey that went on for an eternity. Funny how that works sometimes, eh? :D
About 7 hours in we received a phone call that sent us into some extreme “I’m going to do a back flip in the van” moments of happiness. So without much further a due, we are extremely honoured to announce that we will be playing Soundwave 2010.
Not only is this Australian festival a powerhouse with some great artists, but also we are extremely proud to be the only Australian band on the tour. We cannot wait to carry our homeland torch and show our international friends how it’s done in Aus. We have been telling everyone how great Australia is over here and it will be great to finally show them all just how much Aussie crowds rule.
www.soundwavefestival.com for details
OK, so now that’s out of the way, we are a couple of weeks into the current Senses Fail tour and everything’s going great. We are seeing more places and meeting more and more people every night. There’s something about traveling abroad that is amazing, there is seriously nothing better than finding cool little shops or eating at wickedly good “hole in the wall” type of places. So much to see, so much culture to absorb, I genuinely love it. By far the best part of it is meeting a lot of cool people.
Speaking of cool people, none are cooler than our friends in Fact. They are a band from Japan and are some of the most genuine and fun loving people we have ever met. There is a slight language barrier but between the iPhone translator and Toshiyuki their tour manager, we get by. If you haven’t heard of these guys check them out www.myspace.com/factjapan
Meeting these guys has seriously solidified us wanting to go to Japan, talk about culture and great food. Hopefully it happens next year.
For all who are asking back home, yes, we will be doing our own national headlining tour, we will announce it within the following month once more details are worked out, hold on :D
And for those who have been asking about hoodies and new merch for this cold American winter, we have a few new merch designs along with a hoodie that is available now at live shows. Come and say hi and check them out.
So to wrap it up, we’re all great, tour is going great and we are having a blast. We are super excited to play Homebake and Soundwave and to also do our own national headlining tour, well; it is honestly all of our dreams coming alive. So thankyou to all who are behind us and a massive thankyou to all of those who run and organise these fantastic aussie festivals.
We will be updating a lot of information as we get it about Aus and what is happening so keep checking back.
Until next time my friends,
-Manny :D
So we have hit that midway point in this current tour and I must say spirits are high. This tour has been nothing short of fun filled, Emery and the Maylene guys are both great. It's always a good day when you wake up and can go to work doing something you genuinely love with people who are all great.
Touring America and Canada has been nothing short of amazing. We've been to nearly every state in America so far and I must say, it is absolutely beautiful, the scenery is quite remarkable, especially going through rocky mountains and deserts.
Possibly one of the best things about this place is seeing and meeting everyone who comes out to shows. It's always funny rocking up to a new place we've never been before and seeing how people are and how they interact with us. Some people are afraid to approach us at first, I don't know why, must be the tour beards we are all growing, haha. But the people that we do meet and hang out with are truly great and make the burden of touring alot easier. I'm genuinely looking forward to the rest of this tour and meeting a whole lot more of you.
For those who are asking, we have a break in September for about a month and then will be heading out with Senses Fail and A Skylit Drive nationally again, then heading back to Australia for a couple of months.
To all of our Aussie friends, we are coming back in December and playing Homebake and a few other festivals, and we are working on a national headliner aswell. Details of that will be announced closer to December.
In the meantime anybody can really help us out by requesting and voting for Sweet#hart on Triple J and MTV. The links are below.
Triple J - http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/requests/make_a_request.htm
MTV- http://www.mtvu.com/music/the-freshmen/nominees-081009/
I will be on Modlife a whole lot more and will try to modcam alot more in the next coming months. I'm trying to vary it up a bit timewise so all of our aussie friends can jump on aswell.
Emery are soundchecking and blasting Salt n Peppa in my direction, brutal loud. Love old school music.
So all in all we're having a blast and cannot wait to get out to even more places. Everything in the Closure camp is great.
So until next time my friends,
Peace.
-Manny :D
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