Yangon (dpa) – A Myanmar punk-rock band's efforts to raise funds via a California-based website has run afoul of US sanctions, a report said Sunday. Side Effect had raised 2,840 dollars from supporters via the site, when IndieGoGo allegedly informed the Yangon-based band that it would not transfer the money to their offshore bank account because of US law, the Myanmar Times reported. The paper said IndieGoGo, established in 2008 to promote unique campaigns, had not responded to requests for an interview. The US stopped aid to Myanmar in 1988 after an army crackdown on demonstrators, and later imposed a host of economic sanctions including a ban on money transfers from US banks. “We never thought about sanctions hurting normal people before but this time we feel it – and it sucks,” Side Effect's lead singer Darko C said. “We are not working with the government. We're just guys from a band who want to be musicians. We're independent rockers.” On the IndieGoGo posting, Side Effect described itself as an indie rock/punk band from Yangon that needed 5,999 dollars “to help to get our record out, play gigs, and promote independent music in this country!” In return, the band promised to provide CDs, postcards, beer, tour guides in Yangon and songs “written about you.” “Considering both international sanctions on Myanmar as well as the crappy postal/courier infrastructure, its unrealistic that we would be able to send you physical things like CDs or T-shirts, so most of our perks are things we can/will do for you if you come and meet us in Yangon!” it added. BM ShortURL: http://goo.gl/eTrvq Tags: Band, IndieGoGo, Myanmar, Punk, Side Effect Section: Culture, East Asia, Entertainment, Latest News, North America
