97
by PRsean_Archive
crossing the border! my band had a date in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada between Minnesota and Montana on our last tour. being too poor to afford work permits, we had some chicanery up our sleeves. The promoter sent us a dummy email contract concerning recording for a compilation at his studio. he provided a website for the studio, address and phone number and whatnot. we presented this to the border patrol officer (they had sent us inside to inspect our van, which they never touched). have a form of ID (driver's license or military ID) and your birth certificate or passport. we didnt have those, so we got hassled a bunch, so remember it. if a member of your band has been deported, be honest about it and explain the circumstances. if you lie, and they run your name and the offense comes up (and it will), you're not getting in. don't post the tour date on the internet!!!! they will google your band name and if your band name is something like, say, xbxrx they will find your website and send your ass packing. now, if you're name is shellac, you'll probably be okay. be polite and respectful to border officials, it will be worth it. we were lucky to get the wife of a musician, so despite hassling us about past deportations and lack of proof of citizenship, we got in. you will be forced to pay duties on your merch. lie, say it is worth less than it really is. we got away with paying about 20 bucks on our shit. also, canadian money is beautiful. eat at the Mondragon vegan bar in Winnipeg. delicious burritos and yummy cream soda. visit Ragpicker's Anti-Fashion Emporium, wonderful people, and theyve got a bookstore/theatre upstairs and they found every damn thing on the street thats on the inside of that building, they dont pay for a thing. on the way back into the states, don't speak with a Canadian accent and say you are from Alabama. that will get your van searched. dont bring any foreign fruit, that will hold you up. we told them to keep it. dont laugh at the picture of george bush they have on the wall, this will only make them keep you longer. take time (and in Canada im sure you will have it) to take in your surroundings, and keep in mind METRICS METRICS METRICS. currency exchange rate as of last July/August was $1.22 Canadian to $1 American.
i hope this helps!