US Singer Turned Away From Aus Due To Criminal Record: “I Am Extremely Crushed”

The frontman for Philadelphia alt-rock outfit Nothing has been denied entry to Australia due to visa issues that arose from his criminal record.

In 2002, vocalist Domenic Palermo was arrested and charged with aggravated assault and attempted murder, spending two years in prison.

In a statement on the band’s Facebook, Palermo claims they were “ill-informed” about visa requirements until it was too late and labelled the outcome a “rash decision” by the Australian Government.

“After countless attempts while overseas in a 12 hour time difference with home, late night am phone calls after traveling and playing shows relentlessly lead only to an immense amount of dead ends. Even with an immigration lawyer our team couldn't pull it together so I was to be sent home,” Palermo said.

“While I am extremely crushed I can't be there in Australia, I am extremely grateful for all the new friends I have made and nothing can take that away. When I get home I'll be continuing to work on a solution to remedy this rash decision by the Australian Government and get there as soon as possible.”

Forming in 2010, Nothing are currently touring the world in support of last year’s Tired Of Tomorrow LP, performing in Japan, Malaysia and Singapore earlier this month before supporting AFI in February.

Nothing will play all scheduled Australian dates as a three-piece, kicking off tonight at Perth’s Amplifier Bar.

“All I can ask of anyone who purchased tickets or planned to attend any of the gigs in Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, or Sydney to still do so,” he added.

“We went in the hole financially a great deal to force ourselves into these places and did it out of pocket and I promise it will be just as good if not better(I'm pretty terrible at music anyway). Show the dogs support!”

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