They're not gonna take it: Twisted Sister sounds off on Amnesia Rockfest
Band pulls down post from website after Rockfest founder contacted them
The founder of the Amnesia Rockfest in Montebello, Que., says he is disappointed after a crew member for veteran heavy-metal band Twisted Sister sounded off in an expletive-laden rant about conditions at the June music festival.
In a post on the band's website entitled "Amnesia S--tfest" posted on June 30, the author called the festival a "big hot mess" and ran down a litany of complaints from their June 24 appearance, particularly the accusation that the festival cut off the band's sound after 45 minutes.
"We can put up with terrible production. We can put up with lousy catering. We can put up with s--tty dressing rooms, dirty toilets, small stages and poor treatment of us, the crew. But to disrespect the band by pulling the plug on the last single note without even letting them say the words, 'Good night' is unbelievable," the post read.
The post has since been taken down.
Rockfest founder says no complaint made
Rockfest founder Alex Martel said in a written statement the festival contacted the band's management after learning of the post and that they decided to remove it.
But Martel disputed the content of the post, saying at no point did anyone from Twisted Sister contact him to express concerns.
"I could tell the other side of the story. I could explain how running a festival with 130 bands over two days works and how our entire team makes serious efforts to accommodate them all, rather than giving priority to a single band.
"I could mention that all the logistical information was sent to performers weeks prior to the event to ensure there would be no surprises about our hospitality, production or the site's geographic location.
"I could also name the hundreds of bands who are satisfied with their experience at Rockfest year after year," Martel wrote.
Twisted Sister on farewell tour
Martel added that even though he disagreed with the band's post, "I still have tremendous respect for this legendary band and I wish them the best in their future endeavours."
Those future endeavours are not likely to include a return engagement to Rockfest.
The band, which had hits in the 1980s like We're Not Gonna Take It and I Wanna Rock, are on what they are calling their final tour after 40 years together.
The 11th edition of the Amnesia Rockfest was held from June 23 to 26.