No booze, you lose, as the famous saying doesn't quite go. Guns N Roses cancelled a gig in Maine last week after being told they were not allowed to drink alcohol during the concert. The ruling came from state fire marshals who were on site ahead of the gig to inspect the intended pyrotechnics display. They informed the band that drinking on stage would violate state laws. Having been told that the band promptly cancelled the gig.
In a statement, Axl Rose told fans: "It was important for us to play there and it is a shame that what should have been a great night for all of us was not possible due to the actions of two people [the fire marshals]. I agree with, and ultimately take responsibility for, the end decision not to jeopardise the safety of the fans, the crews, the bands and myself as a result of the methods of these particularly draconian authorities. We hope to find another way to play for you in the future."
Responding to allegations that the alcohol rules were used as an excuse to cancel a gig that hadn't been selling well, the band's manager, Merck Mercuriadis, stressed that the fire marshals' ruling was the sole reason for cancelling the event, adding that the two men had "made it clear that they intended to harrass our fans, crew and the band through enforcing rules and regulations that are 200 years old".