Letter From The 3TARDS (sent to politicians and media)

photo dave hill


Dear City of Oshawa,

I would like to express my profound regret over the events of June 20, 2009 at Memorial Park in downtown Oshawa.

My name is Andrew Ryan Fox, and I am the bass player of Toronto band The 3tards.

On the above date, we played a show, organized on behalf of us by local promoter Tamara Morahan, to raise money for breast cancer research.

At 8 pm, when the negotiated finish time arrived, we were shut down by the city of Oshawa, three songs into our set.

I would like to start by saying that yes, we understand that on a purely technical level, that was the time where the show was meant to end.

If, for a moment though, you can see past the letter-of-the-law factuality of the event, I hope that you can understand the sadness we feel over not only the worthiness of the cause that was circumvented by the actions of city officials, but also the effort that was put
forth by those involved in this fundraiser that was wasted.

I can't speak to what anyone else who put their time, money, effort, resources, heart and soul into the show feel about the turn the day took, but I can say that we feel personally insulted and unappreciated for having put so much into this day and the cause it supported only to by stymied without so much as a chance to appeal the decision to shut us down.

As well, to have such a large group of mostly well-behaved youths stand all day, hour upon hour, in the pouring rain, donating money from their own pockets, for the chance to watch us play, only to be unceremoniously denied the entertainment they so patiently waited for, boggles our minds.  The fact that the city employee on site couldn't empathize with such a diverse and enthusiastic contingent of supporters to the point where we could even play ONE MORE SONG to at least justify the support they showed by being there all day waiting on us to play is extremely disheartening.

Basically, we feel that a lot of good, hard-working, honest, well-intentioned people from many different peer groups and varied social and economic backgrounds came together for an important cause, and were turned off and marginalized without committing any more of an infraction than to run a few minutes late.

So I say Shame On You, City of Oshawa.  Shame on you for disillusioning a large group of people who wanted nothing more than to help other people.  Shame on you for not giving us the benefit of the doubt.  Shame on you for not even allowing us to plead our case on site.  Shame on you for your lack of empathy for people who worked hard to make this happen.  Shame on you for turning a deaf ear to the pleas of the hundreds of people who braved a long, stormy day to watch a little punk rock music.  And shame on you for making a few guys from Toronto who wanted nothing more than to entertain your town and raise a few bucks for a good cause question whether we should ever bother trying to do something like this again.  What's the point of working your ass off to put on an event like this, pouring everything we have into it, if we can't even get the respect of being listened to by city employees when we're trying to state our case for continuing? 

Seriously, the City of Oshawa dropped the ball on this.  And it really, really sucks.  We expect better from people claiming to be representative of the citizenry.  When all is said and done, you guys shut down a benefit for cancer research for no good reason.  You should be ashamed of yourselves.

Sincerely,
Andrew Ryan Fox
THE 3TARDS


In Reply...
Sorry Andrew...I have to agree with the City on this (that pains me). Here in Oshawa we are still working on convincing the City to allow the Bandshell to be used more for shows. We need to work with those in charge and that means playing by their rules until such a time comes when the rules can be changed. The fault here is not the City of Oshawa but the stage manager. If the deal was that the show could run until 8 pm and you were shut down at 8 pm and not before, I'd suggest you take it up with the promoter instead.
Big thank you to you and the 3tards for throwing one great party. It will be a day those who were there and those (like myself) who dropped in a couple of times throughout the performances won't forget too easily. Best gig of the year so far. LMAO.

Comments

[Girlinthepic]

this whole situation is ridiculous the city of oshawa is retarded. They should have at least allowed them to play 1 or 2 songs. I hear alot of the people on here bitching about how the majority of the people at the show were under age. Aren't the teenagers of today intitled to shows just as much as adults. Like common they have the jazz and blues festival and they plan on having concerts in the park every wednsday night, how is that any different then this? not everyone at the punk show was under age, I'm the girl in the picture getting arrested and im definatly not a minor im 21 years old i work for a living and i pay taxes, im not even a punk i just enjoy the music and i got arrested for being to fucking rowdy? Did i hurt anyone? All i did was push into a security guard while i was in the mosh pit and I was attacked by two huge officers Im a 100 lb girl, i may have been drunk and out of control but that was completely unnecessary. and , So what if the majority of the people there were punks, that doesnt mean anything. there still people, they still work and live there lives i think there intitled to be treated like everyone else. The way the police acted on this was completely disgusting and unecessary.

[PersonalOpinon]

SCAM! WOO OH OH, New word brought into this forum....now what do we think about that?...............

[Benny Bulk]

if you want to have a punk rock concert get a generator, go to a parking lot at night, and play.

i thought high schoolers were the security for this concert? thats what one of the videos had me beleive, to get their community service hours done. laughable.

this was probably a scam.

[PersonalOpinon]

Let’s get down to the facts, shall we?

Where was the representative from the breast cancer foundation? In all my years working within charities and planning events such as this, there is always a representative on hand. If this was a legit cancer fundraiser, and not a front for a party, shouldn’t there be documentation between the “promoter(s)” and the breast cancer society? Anything remotely connected to the breast cancer foundation is covered with merchandise and product placement of the pink ribbon etc. There was none at this event.

Secondly, was this concert based on a not-for-profit organization? What does Anterock get out of doing a show like this? Are the financials public knowledge? How much was actually raised?

Whose bright idea was it to have absolutely zero security? Would it have not been common sense to have a couple of paid-duty police officers on hand? Helllo? It is a punk show! No weather back-up plan?? Tarps? Tents?

Congrats to the bands that played, they sounded awesome!!!! It was great for them to come out and give their time as they did. THAT is the message from this whole DISASTER, that’s your story. The typical reputation of “punk rock degenerates” is for once NOT the focus. All the bands were hard working ladies and gents who dedicated their time towards a cause. Don’t point the finger at the punk rock culture, or the weather, the City, or the police, stand up and take the blame “promoter (s)”, you can only point the “PR SPIN” finger for so long.

[alROC]

Hey Sunshine...Forget to make that breast cancer donation? Or did you blow all your money on laundry detergent for the fountain instead? Thanks for the best wishes.

[Ms.SunShine]

Im ashamed of how the city of Oshawa has repersented itself..I have lived here going on 20 years...

I do not understand what the big problem was it was a fundrasieing concert for a good benefit Breast Cancer...

Not every so called punk there was a minor nore drunk I am 22yrs old and i went with a group of 20+ people...We were not drunk and we were not distroying the property...

I think it is utterly ridiculous that just because there are some bad apples that the rest of us have to pay because the city has some messed up thoughts about what so called punks are...or what they repersent...they could have at least let it go on for another 5 minutes to let the band play the song they made for us "Oshawa Punks".. but no they couldnt do it...Which lead to alot of angry fansand some problems that could have been avoided...The City didnt even allow the microphone to be turned back on for the Band members to explain what was going on...which lead to even more anger because we felt robbed...

Of course we were angry...waiting outside in the rain to support not only our favourite band but also for the breast cancer foundation...and we didnt even get the respect we feel was cheated from us...

Offensive lyrics...Im sorry but have you turned the radio or televison on lately.... whats rap music mainly about.."bitchs,hoes,drugs and crime"...but oh no punk music means youve sold your soul to the devil right?

Tamara Morahan did a good job as good a job as anyone else in her position could have done....

I think that they should be able to come back and give us what we deserve a full Farewell set....

and Dear alROC...to you i say...go @#$% yourself... I do pay property taxes..I do support myself and my child...were not all low life out to make trouble...

[Filomena]

I have lived in Oshawa for 20 years and wouldn't want to live anywhere else. Toronto and the like just aren't for me. Neither is punk music. But that is my opinion-I would not impose it on anyone. My daughter and her friends were at this concert and her description of events differ. Violence? Intoxication? Has anyone been to a sports event lately? It seems to me that these were young adults out in the rain waiting for their band to perform. Yes we knew it was going to rain but honestly weathermen are the only ones who get paid for being wrong! Does anyone really take their advice seriously - maybe a grain of salt perhaps. Noise complaints - 100's? Really? This concert was in Memorial Park? In a mostly commercial area. Who complained? Business putting money in city coffers maybe? Not the young people there- is that the point? The lower class versus upper crust. Oshawa is a quiet city compared to most and I would like to keep it that way but I honestly belive that an injustice was done Saturday. The 3tards should be invited back to perform at the Canada Day Celebrations at Lakeview - they can't possibly make more noise than what is already going on that day!

[Fox Tard]

Hi Will,

I understand your point, but I still believe that a show that was obviously delayed by rain, and was put on in good faith for a good cause, could have been extended a short while longer. City staff with the discretion to do so were on site and could have allowed us a couple more songs. Not only would it not have hurt anyone and rewarded those who waited around all day in crappy weather, it would have demonstrated some goodwill towards people who were essentially paying out of pocket and donating time and effort towards an obviously worthy cause.

This isn't a punk rock diatribe against "the rules" or "the man" or whatever, it's just my opinion that fifteen more minutes of music could have avoided a lot of headaches and left everyone with a much better taste in their mouths - from the bands to the fans to the organizers to the city officials who are going to be hearing about this for a long time to come.

Cheers,
Andrew Fox

[will]

folks...put away the handbags and pls stop cursing. Also pls ensure that you complete your comments by the 8 pm deadline/curfew...no exceptions. lol

[alROC]

This entire 'stunt' of an event reminds me of a sendup from George Carlin's routine ( may he reast in peace)..." It's ALL BULL@#$%!" That's quite a way for you to make a name for yourself Tammy.

[Randy M]

Come on quit trying to make out that the show\benefit was showing success. How many people turned out for this event? 100? 200? How much money did you actually raise?
Also, blaming the rain for a late start is lame. If the benefit was organized by someone a little more professional, the weather would have not been an issue for a delay. Jesus, they were predicting rain 4 days prior to the day in question…you didn’t prepare for it???
I don’t blame the police for shutting down a failed benefit. If residents complain about the noise levels the police had their hands tied. These people pay their taxes and have rights. You really expect the police to turn a blind eye just because a 100 people ranging between 14 to 20 want to watch punk show…Give you head a shake and get over yourself. OH, before you go off and say “I pay my taxes”…I saw the pictures\videos. Most of the audience looked like they’re still in high school…you’re not paying properties taxes.

This was a dog and pony at best.

[Nathan Draper]

I can't get over the display of sheer ignorance and lack of respect from the police department on Saturday. It's simply dissapointing when you see this level of ignorance from the supposed leaders of this community. Yes the permit was up at 8 o'clock...but have a heart. If you would have let the band play for five minutes longer, the fans would have been happy and would have peacefully cleared out. You showed the promoter no courtesy whatsoever after she politely asked you to hear what she had to say. But without giving her a chance you pulled the plug on a breast cancer benefit. Shame on you, I hope you look beyond your police foundations textbooks and realise what it was you actually did. Sometimes good judgement is the best protocol, maybe someday the police will use their better judgement and be the leaders they are supposed to be.

Nathan

[Tamara Morahan]

This will be my official promoter response to you Will McGuirk.

@#$% you.

I did nothing wrong, and save the rain delay, I can't control the f@#$%ing weather.

P@#$%y. Talk me down on a T-shirt for a fundraiser? You truly are a @#$%.

And to boot, it'll probably be worth way more than the $5 you stiffed me on it someday.

A@#$%le.

Thank god you only make judgements on your own blog, I'd hate to have hem on mine.