Insta-Fest Punk Rock show at Echo in L.A. called off

By Randy Lewis

March 16, 2013 12 AM PT

An all-day punk-rock bill scheduled for March 30 at the Echo in Los Angeles has been called off because club officials were concerned about it attracting skinhead fans, according to a statement issued by one of the organizers of the Insta Fest show for which Channel 3, Old Firm Casuals, Toughskins and Custom Fit were among more than a dozen acts that had been booked.

“The Echo at the last minute realized that some of the bands playing Insta Fest had band members and fans they referred to as ‘the skinhead element’ and they do not want those types in their establishment.,” Joseph Gaughan of Inst Fest co-sponsor Durty Mick Records label posted on the event’s Facebook page. “They now have decided to cancel this show two weeks before it was meant to happen.”

Echo management has declined to comment, and the club’s Web site is now advertising only a weekly “Funky Sole” soul music promotion on that night.

“Sometimes things are not meant to be,” Gaughan’s post continued. “I will be contacting everyone who purchased tickets via Durty Mick Records individually.”

Among the responses to Gaughan’s announcement, punk rock musician Bryan Swirsky wrote, “I played there when I toured with Zounds. No problems at all and we had punks, skins, goths and indie rock kids all in the same room. No fights and no riots. I don’t see any racist bands on this bill. The guys in both Channel 3 and Pressure point are really nice guys. Sorry to hear it! I know how this goes.”

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