ProgPower USA – Three Acts Drop Off Bill Due To Visa Issues; SAIGON KICK Feat. JEFF SCOTT SOTO, NIGHT DEMON, SOMETIME IN FEBRUARY Confirmed
"... ProgPower USA founder/promoter, Glenn Harveston, has issued the following updates in regards to this year’s festival, taking place September 3 – 6 in Atlanta, GA.
1.
“It is with frustration, anger, and absolute bewilderment that I announce Jelusick, All for Metal, and Temic have all been determined to not meet the criteria for a P-1 visa based on insufficient evidence by the USCIS. However, Vanden Plas, Orden Ogan, Cemetery Skyline, Majestica, and Skald were approved for the same P-1 visa. All band applications were processed within the last 2-3 weeks using the expedite option, each costing in excess of $6,000. My attorney states, ‘We have been seeing a significant, and unprecedented, uptick in the number of O and P visa petitions where USCIS is requesting additional evidence, even where the artist has received a visa in the past. We are also seeing an uptick in denials after these requests are answered.’
“For those wondering, I am not responsible for the visa petition for any international band on Friday or Saturday not mentioned in this statement.
“In keeping with my policy of strict transparency, I will go-live here on Facebook tonight at 7pm EST to explain the visa process and answer questions. I will not be commenting further in this post.
“I have confirmed all three replacement bands and will announce all three today starting at 12pm EST. Some of you will wonder why I have confirmed all of my replacements and Milton still has one spot open. The answer is simple and what we have always said. Advance ticket sales mean everything when dealing with unforeseen situations. I have a sold-out show and know my budget. Milton ticket sales are still on going and he is trying to do more with less.”
2.
“Please welcome Saigon Kick with special guest Jeff Scott Soto to the roster.” – G.
A message from the band:
“Jason Bieler & Phil Varone, with much vim and vigor, proudly announce their appearance at the legendary ProgPower USA festival in Atlanta! They will be celebrating 30+ years of assorted Saigon Kick music. (While this is neither a farewell show nor a reunion, if you know anything about Saigon Kick… there’s a solid 74–78.4% chance this will never happen again.)
“Phil & Jason represent 50% of the original Saigon Kick lineup, which, in some cases, is 100% more original members than those other legacy bands are touring with. Actually, since this is a partial celebration of the Water album—and by then, SK was a three-piece—you’re technically getting 66.6% of that lineup. So let’s just round up and call it 75%.
“Both Jason and Phil are confident they will be operating at no less than 95% capacity (of their collective 50% share) but guarantee a rock-solid 85% for 100% of this gig. Please note that they both believe they are currently performing at their highest levels, so, conservatively speaking, they estimate they’ll be at least 30% better than when you last saw them. If you’ve never seen them, you’ll have to do your own math.
“This show is made even more special by the addition of legendary vocalist Jeff Scott Soto, who technically did sing backup on the first Saigon Kick album (which he was never paid for… so don’t bring it up). And it doesn’t get more prog than singing for Genesis! …Wait, I’ve just been informed he never sang for Genesis—which, in itself, is a small miracle. However, he did impressively yodel for Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Journey, and Yngwie Malmsteen, whom you may know from his shredding hit Don’t Stop Believin’. We are in desperate need of a fact-checker.
“Which brings us to Stephen Gibb… We could mention he played with Zakk Wylde and Crowbar, but then we’d sound like name-droppers. Stephen was part of the Saigon Kick reunion shows 7–10 years ago, so while he’s not an OG 1991 “original,” if your first SK show was in Chicago in 2015, he was an original to you. Although Phil wasn’t there… but Jonathan Mover was… even though he never played on any SK albums… but he did play with Aretha Franklin. But we digress.
“As we’ve clearly stated, this is not a reunion. It’s more of a special evening celebrating the music of Saigon Kick, and probably our only 2025 appearance—not because we don’t have offers to do more, but because we generally don’t like spending time with each other. Think of it as a sizable and assorted gaggle of Saigon Kick members (and non-members, depending on your vantage point) performing the music of Saigon Kick as a tribute to themselves.
“Ironically, this will also mark the first-ever performance of Jeff Scott Soto fronting Saigon Kick. We can only hope we’ll all be playing the same songs at the same time. Honestly, it’s just too soon to tell.”
3.
“Please welcome Night Demon to our roster.
“On a personal note, I would like to thank both the band and their manager for the enthusiasm and professionalism involved with how quickly they confirmed.” – Glenn
4.
“It’s time for new blood to grace the roster. Please welcome InsideOutMusic recording artist, Sometime In February to the roster. The band’s debut album, Where Mountains Hide, was released only two weeks ago.
“Please check out the video I have left in the comments below.” – Glenn
Further festival details can be found at the official website, here.
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