Battleangel

Canadian band The Grey gets harassed when trying to cross into the US (via Boing Boing).

When we got to the border, we, regrettably, lied at first about whether or not we were playing because we were uncertain whether or not we needed visas for a potentially non-paying show. After looking on the internet and searching our van, [the American border guards] saw that we were supposed to play and hauled us in for interviews one by one for the next 6 hours. We were fingerprinted, photographed and expedited as illegal aliens from the United States.

We were treated as terrorists at first. When we first went, one by one, into the room with the interrogating officer they used that line about “America is at war, and Canada may not take that seriously…” and “since 9-11, we take these things seriously.” Then they realized that we were not making any money doing what we do, and that we were more naïve than anything else. Some of the other guards even told us that the whole thing was bullshit, and that it was overzealous and a waste of paperwork.

I especially like how the border guards get hung up on the band’s economic standing and question their meager income. Power and hegemony at work.