October 17, 2006 10:45

Two Gallants in Texan club brawl

Violence erupts after noise complaint

Two Gallants found themselves caught up in a brawl during a US gig last weekend, after a policeman allegedly attacked the band.

Violence erupted at the Walter's On Washington club in Houston Texas after a neighbour apparently made a complaint about the noise at the venue.

Accounts of the incident vary, but it is alleged that singer Adam Stephens, the band's tour manager and two members of the crowd were shot with a tazer gun by police.

Two Gallants drummer Tyson Vogel and Andrew Kerwin, vocalist for the support band Trainwreck Riders were also arrested following the incident.

According to the Houston Chronicle, Houston Police Department allege that the officer on duty, G M Rodriguez, asked the band's management to turn the sound down, which they did. But as he was leaving the volume went back up.

The police officer then apparently went back onstage to confront Stephens, who allegedly swore at Rodriguez and "shoved the officer with his shoulder."

But the singer denies this and claims the officer shone a torch at him and told him to stop playing several times. When he refused Rodriguez "grabbed him by the neck and forced him to the floor".

A brawl followed and the officer said he sustained minor injuries, a claim which the band refute. A statement by HPD Sgt Nate McDuell added: "An officer gets attacked by dozens of people in a club who have been drinking? If anything, the officer was abused."