Mindforce Concert Gets Shut Down Mid Show by NYC Department of Buildings
Getting your show shutdown by the cops should be considered a badge of honor if you’re any sort of rock band. Getting your show shutdown by the Department of Buildings for some bureaucratic red tape is, admittedly, much less badass. But that’s exactly what happened to crossover thrash juggernaut Mindforce at a show on Friday at the legendary Saint Vitus bar in Brooklyn, New York partway through the set of opening act Balmora.
Show promoter LIHCshows made a comment on their Instagram story, that was reported on by Brooklyn Vegan, and pointed out that the timing was a little suspicious. The comment reads as follows:
“Yo!
“I didn’t want to not say something about the Mindforce gig so here ya go..
“Without saying too much, yes the show was shut down by DOB (Department of Buildings) – not a fire marshal and not NYPD
“If you work construction you know how miserable dealing with DOB can be
“Please do not take any frustrations out on the venue.
“To me – it seemed like a personal vendetta + attack on the venue. DOB just doesn’t show up at 8 pm on a Friday
“We’re potentially trying to figure out a make up date so give us until next week to figure out what’s going on instead of DMing Me, Mindforce or the venue about refunds when the show was shut down not even a hour ago
“I’m sorry to Mindforce that they didn’t get to play
“I’m sorry to y’all who came out tonight to see Mindforce
“And finally I’m sorry to Saint Vitus that they have to deal with this BS.”
Lambgoat managed to get their hands on the complaint that led to the shutdown, and it sounds like it was written by that kid in your class growing up who would remind the teacher that they forgot to assign homework for the weekend. The complaint reads:
“As of Friday, September 22, 2023 the following are facts about 1120 Manhattan Avenue know to the public as Saint Vitus Bar: 1) Saint Vitus Bar does not have any maximum occupancy signs posted anywhere, and more often than not they host more people than their allotted maximum capacity. 2) Saint Vitus Bar’s most recent Certificate of Occupancy on file with the Department of Buildings does not allow it to operate as an eating/drinking establishment. There is no other Certificate of Occupancy or Letter of No Objection that supersedes their Certificate of Occupancy dated November 12, 1953. 3) Saint Vitus Bar is currently operating without a Place of Assembly Certificate of Operation (PACO). 4) Saint Vitus Bar was issued summons (see ECB Violation # 39090715Z) for ALTERED/CHANGE BUILDING OCCUPIED WITHOUT A VALID C OF O AS PER 28-118.3.1- 28-118.1-2. They have paid the penalty but have not corrected the situation. I will continue to make this complaint on a daily basis until either the Department of Buildings performs an inspection or until Saint Vitus Bar can remedy their situation.”
Considering that the complaint points out that this has been going on since September 22, clearly the best possible time to go in and inspect the situation was February 16 in the middle of a hardcore show. At 8 p.m. Yeah, this is starting to sound like a personal vendetta.
