Band apologises for trashing room after performing gig
THE SCOTS band that carried out a shocking act of vandalism in an Edinburgh bar – which led to the cancellation of its Glasgow gig – has spoken out in a grovelling apology.
The Perth-based group, Majik Carpet, has highlighted the extent of the backlash it received from the public – including death threats – after the Evening Times exclusively reported on the story on Thursday.
It comes as a video clip of the aftermath of the incident was taken from their Instagram page and widely shared online.
It shows who’s believed to be the only female member of the group laughing and posing for pictures in the wrecked room above Bannerman’s Bar in the capital’s Cowgate area.
The issue came to light when Bannerman’s manager Christian Kimmett shared a set of jaw-dropping images on Facebook, naming and shaming the group for leaving the walls of his business covered in graffiti.
It led to the group pulling its gig on Thursday night at Stereo on Glasgow’s Renfield Lane.
Now, in a lengthy apology over its actions, the group has insisted: “We were not present as a full band at the time of the vandalism.”
The band added: “We are desperate for this opportunity to apologise publicly for the damage that was caused to the premises under our watch.
“When confronted with this, we reacted inmaturely and in disbelief. We tried to clean up the mess and panicked about the situation at the time. We have never woken up to a spray-painted bathroom before – and we had no idea what on earth we should do.
“This, however, in no way excuses the way in which we dealt with the situation and for the damage caused to the premises under our care and our childish response to the situation and, moreover, the distress caused to Christian and his team who showed us such hospitality – we honestly cannot apologise wholeheartedly enough.”
The group also insists it has apologised to the venue “profusely” and has offered to pay for all damages – and even clean it up themselves “if necessary”.
The four also said they have been “collectively vilified for the behaviour of a few,” adding: “We’ve received many threats of, not only damage to our musical careers and reputations, but personal threats of violence and, most worryingly, even death threats via social media.”
Police Scotland said the incident has not been reported to the force.