Promo-Gig?

Soeben erreichte uns ein offizieller Bericht, den wir hier im Original abdrucken: “Hundreds of rock fans have gone on the rampage at a promotional gig for fast-rising band System of a Down.

The Hollywood event was called off at the last minute by safety and fire officials after around 3500 fans pushed through barricades to join the 10,000-strong crowd. The cancellation enraged the fans, who rained rocks and bottles down on police, who responded with teargas and rubber bullets. A spokeswoman for System Of A Down`s record company said the group offered in vain to play if it would help restore calm.

But by then, fans had jumped onto the stage, toppled large speaker stacks, and damaged or hauled off around $30,000 worth of the group`s equipment. Video news footage showed fans running off with the group`s property, such as microphone stands and drum heads. About 160 police officers, some on horseback, dispersed the crowd and arrested six people, charging them with assault with a deadly weapon, felony vandalism and receiving stolen property.

The band`s manager told a local TV station the melee was “absolutely, 100 percent avoidable.” He said if officials had let the band play their music or explain the problem, “there was still a remedy, there was still a way to get out of that situation”. The rock riot saw car attacked and windows smashed in local business as fans raged over not being allowed to see their favourite group.”