The legendary punk band U.K. Subs played this year’s LA Punk Invasion with only one original member on stage—vocalist Charlie Harper—after three other members were denied entry into the United States.
Bassist Alvin Gibbs, along with Marc Carrey and Stefan Häublein, were detained at LAX and eventually deported back to the UK after what Gibbs described as an exhausting and surreal 25-hour ordeal. He cited an incorrect visa as one of the reasons given by U.S. authorities, while the second reason was not disclosed. Gibbs speculated whether his past public criticism of the U.S. president might have played a role.
Despite the disruption, the show went on with Charlie Harper performing alongside last-minute stand-in musicians. Gibbs expressed disappointment over missing the performance, but praised those who filled in.
The incident comes amid growing tensions over travel restrictions. Gibbs, who also plays with Iggy Pop, reflected on the experience, calling it “educational” and noting with some irony that being deported from America at 67 is “something to be weirdly proud of.”
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