The U.K. Subs were set to bring their legendary punk energy to Punk Invasion in Los Angeles, but for most of the band, the trip ended before it even began. Three members—bassist Alvin Gibbs, drummer Stefan Häublein, and guitarist Marc Carrey—were detained at LAX, denied entry into the U.S., and ultimately deported back to the U.K.
Frontman Charlie Harper was the only one allowed through customs and had to perform the show at The Belasco with stand-in musicians.
Gibbs took to Facebook on March 19 to share his frustrations over the ordeal, describing how he and his bandmates were stopped at immigration upon arrival. “I was flagged for two reasons,” he wrote. “The first was an incorrect visa, but the authorities refused to disclose the second.”
The bassist speculated whether his outspoken criticisms of the U.S. government played a role.
“I can’t help but wonder whether my frequent, and less than flattering, public comments regarding their president and his administration played a role – or perhaps I’m simply succumbing to paranoia,” he said.
Regardless of the reason, what followed was a rough experience. “Two police officers escorted me to another section of LAX, where I found Stefan and Marc already detained in a cold holding pen, along with a group of Colombian, Chinese, and Mexican detainees.
My luggage, phone, and passport were confiscated,” he described, calling the situation “far from pleasant.”
Despite the setback, Harper ensured the band didn’t completely miss out on their scheduled performance, taking the stage with last-minute replacements. Meanwhile, Gibbs, Häublein, and Carrey were forced to make the long trip home, leaving the punk festival behind them—whether they’ll get another shot at playing it remains uncertain.
