Legendary Punk Band U.K. Subs Denied Entry to the U.S. – Bassist Suspects Political Motive

British Punk Band U.K. Subs Denied U.S. Entry, Bassist Suspects Political Motive

British punk pioneers U.K. Subs faced a major setback when three of their members were recently denied entry into the United States, leaving frontman Charlie Harper to perform with a last-minute backing band at the L.A. Punk Invasion festival on March 15. According to bassist Alvin Gibbs, who was among those detained at U.S. immigration, the decision may have been influenced by his vocal criticism of former U.S. President Donald Trump.

The Detainment at U.S. Immigration

In a detailed Facebook post, Gibbs described the ordeal that prevented him, drummer Stefan Haublein, and guitarist Marc Carrey from entering the country. Upon arriving at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) following an 11-hour flight, Gibbs and his partner Roz approached the immigration booth. While Roz was allowed to pass through, Gibbs was detained due to alleged visa discrepancies and an undisclosed additional issue.

“I was told that I didn’t have the correct visa for entry and that there was another issue, which they refused to disclose,” Gibbs explained in his post. “I couldn’t help but wonder if my frequent and less-than-flattering remarks about their former president and his administration had something to do with it. Or maybe that’s just paranoia.”

Gibbs was then escorted by two police officers to a holding area, where he found Haublein and Carrey already detained alongside other travelers from Colombia, China, and Mexico. Their luggage, phones, and passports were confiscated, leaving them without means of communication.

A Grueling 25-Hour Ordeal

According to Gibbs, he was forced to spend 25 hours in detainment, with minimal provisions—only a pot noodle and a few cups of tea. Meanwhile, his partner Roz had to endure the same duration in the airport, waiting anxiously for his release.

Following the prolonged confinement, Gibbs was placed on an 11-hour return flight to France, bringing an abrupt end to his planned U.S. visit. Reflecting on the experience, he expressed disappointment that the full U.K. Subs lineup was unable to perform as planned but praised the musicians who stepped in to back Harper at the festival.

“I’m really sad that the true U.K. Subs couldn’t deliver the performance and setlist we had prepared,” Gibbs wrote. “But credit to the three musicians who stepped up last minute to perform with Charlie.”

Despite the frustrating experience, Gibbs took a degree of pride in the incident. “I suppose there’s something poetic about being thrown out of America at the age of 67,” he remarked. “And maybe that’s why I can’t stop hearing the chorus of track 3, side 1, of the first Clash album in my head.”

Political Retaliation or Coincidence?

While U.S. immigration officials did not specify a reason beyond visa issues, Gibbs suspects that his political views might have played a role in his detainment. His outspoken criticism of Trump has been well-documented, making him wonder if he was flagged for his public statements. However, without official confirmation, the exact reasons behind the incident remain unclear.

U.K. Subs, known for their politically charged lyrics and rebellious spirit, continue to be influential figures in the punk rock scene. Whether this incident was a mere bureaucratic hurdle or something more intentional, it serves as a stark reminder of the complexities of international travel—especially for artists unafraid to voice their opinions.

For now, Gibbs’ relationship with the United States seems to be over “for the foreseeable future.” Fans, however, can rest assured that U.K. Subs’ punk ethos remains unshaken.