Night club owner let down twice

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 305, 19 September 1989, Page 1

Night club owner let down twice

Two of Hot Lava's top billing bands for this ski season have cancelled, leaving . nightclub proprietor Paul Beckett more than a little miffed.

Chicago Smokeshop were to play on September 24 and the Waratahs on September 22, but both have pulled out because of events in the South Island over which Paul has no control. He said Chfcago Smokeshop had cancelled because they've lost so much money on their South Island tour. They were booked for seven days in Queen-

stown witbout a guaraintied minimum payment. The seven days turned out to be before the snow fell. "Because of that they've wound up a 20 concert tour owing over $14,000," said Paul. He said the band had decided the dates this month would be too much of a strain, so they have split up, at least for the mean time. "I'm paying the price

for a bad career move," said .Paul. He said the band apologizes to the people of Ohakune. Ironically, the Waratahs have cancelled for the opposite reason - they did so well from their tour of the South Island that they've decided to take a two month holiday. "On the back of their recently released second album they toured the South Island to enormous crowds," said Paul. "Unfortunately, despite the fact these Turnpage 3

Bands

From page 1 bands had firm commitrrients to Ohakune long before the ski season, we remain a small fish in a big pond. "It stinks," was PauFs reaction. "It's grossly unfair." Hot Lava has managed to find a replacement act - the Farrelli Brothers, who were to play here in August but had to fulfil a recording commitm^nt for the Commonwealth Games promoters. They play the nightclub this Friday.