I just wanted to let everybody know the real situation surrounding the Del show in Placerville and why he didn't perform that night.

I have read a few posts on Hoopla and decided it would be best to explain the truth about the situation since there seems to be some misinformed people.

We were slated to hit stage at 12:00 midnight but arrived at 12:15 because of traffic problems back in the Bay (there was only one lane open for a long stretch of the highway). I called the promoter as we got closer at approx 11:40 PM to let him know we might be late but were on our way. He responded as if he didn't think we would make it and would not be able to perform if we took too long. He called me back at 12:05 to find out where we were and I told him a certain exit to which he responded "Oh you'll never make it , you're 30 minutes away, Jamal Ski has gone on in your place so you might as well just go to the Hotel and forget it." 30 minutes seemed incorrect considering what the signs told me so I said we were still coming regardless.

We drove on and in less than 10 minutes we were there, arriving just before 12:15. At that time I thought to my self "that's weird why did he say we were 30 minutes away when it was actually only two exits from the exit I said we were at?" Once I arrived I realized why he didn't want us to show up, the place was nearly empty considering the size of the of the field and he was taking a big loss on the show. Now in my years in this business once a promoter is in this situation they sometimes try to use any tactic to keep from paying you what is owed. Since we were 15 minutes late, he used that as his way to get out of paying us. He claimed the curfew was at 1 AM (which numerous other acts and the Placerville police said was not the case) and that he wouldn't pay us in full for only a 30 minute set. To this I responded "It's only 12:15 and were ready to go on right now". But as I checked the stage there was a band breaking down their set and turntables that were not even hooked up. Plus, Jamal Ski wasn't even on stage yet as the promoter had claimed earlier. So in reality there was no way for us to go on then even if we had arrived at 11 PM. This showed me he was trying to lie and bullshit to get out of paying us.

Time kept ticking and I said to him "what's up.? were ready to go on right now but shit is not even hooked up" He kept replying, "I'm not paying you for a 30 minute set, you breached your contract". Which may have been indeed true if the stage was set for us to perform but it wasn't. We were still willing to perform as the turntables got ready but the promoter then walked off and could not be found. So it was up to me to decide what to do:

A) Go on and hope the promoter would give us our money afterwards, which in my mind was unlikely or,

B) Don't go on at all.

As you all know now I chose B. I do realize that to those of you who spent $25 to see Del, this was fucked up and in a way a dis. For this I apologize but please understand that we have paid too many dues to be taken advantage of by a promoter acting shady. If the guy would have pulled me aside and said "man I lost all this money on this show can you cut me a break?" that would have been one thing. At least that way it would have been up to us to decide to accept less and considering the fact it was an empty show we might have understood. Since he decided to use all kinds of foul tactics there was no way I was going to let him take advantage of us. In the end I do realize you the Hiero fan was the real loser and again I am sorry. It's a shame promoters can't handle their business correctly and it ends up effecting you all, our fans, to whom I believe are our greatest asset. But for the record, that promoter was obligated to give you your money back and if he didn't I would not patronize any of his future shows. Hopefully none of you will hold this against Del and Hiero and continue to support us. Before I forget, let me also squash a rumor I think the promoter started that was totally untrue. Del was in no way drunk or high that night, in fact it was one of his rare totally sober nights. The statement that he was in the bathroom throwing up and that he was too high or drunk to perform is a total falsehood. Thanks for your time and I hope you all understand our situation that evening. Peace,

DOMINO - Hieroglyphics