Greek Anarchists Beat Up Electronica Raver Fans

(((With iron bars, baseball bats and tear gas, no less.
Hey, if I can't dance at 200-plus beats per minute,
I don't want your revolution.)))

http://www.pr-inside.com/underworld-dj-injured-in-riot-r157510.htm

UNDERWORLD DJ INJURED IN RIOT

2007-06-19 09:23:17 -

UNDERWORLD DJ RICK SMITH was injured in a riot at the Ejekt Festival in Athens, Greece on Saturday (16Jun07).

The Born Slippy group cancelled their set alongside Madness and The Beastie Boys after Smith was left needing medical treatment following the furore.

A 30-strong group of masked vigilantes stormed the festival during the Beastie Boys' performance at 11.20pm on Saturday, carrying iron bars, baseball bats and tear gas.

The self-described "anarchists" damaged cars and properties and their actions led police to evacuate the stadium.

Smith was initially admitted to an Athens hospital, but is now seeking further treatment in his native Britain. http://www.mirror.co.uk/showbiz/2007/06/22/lager–lager–lager—-fighting-89520-19337715/

LAGER, LAGER, LAGER .. FIGHTING

Brit band bashed as mob storm gig By Laurie Hanna 22/06/2007 a.. More Showbiz DANCE music stars Underworld were battered when a 300-strong mob invaded a rock festival.

The masked thugs sprayed CS gas and set about hundreds of fans with baseball bats, clubs and iron bars. Several people were seriously hurt.

Underworld, famous for their Born Slippy "lager, lager" anthem, used in hit film Trainspotting, were attacked as they got ready to play. Producer Rick Smith was hit on the side of the head by a rock and rushed to hospital covered in blood.

Guards hustled fellow Brit band Madness out of Athens' Olympic baseball ground, which was evacuated as the chaos worsened. The yobs, thought to be anarchists, stormed the stage as US rappers the Beastie Boys performed.

A fan said: "Cars were torched and several people hospitalised. They broke everything, beat the c**p out of people, destroyed bars and threw bottles into the crowd."

Organisers of the Ejekt festival blamed Greek police for turning up "several hours" after they were called.

An Underworld spokesman said: "Rick was struck on the head but there appears to be no lasting damage.""

He flew to the UK for further treatment after his night in hospital. http://www.ministryofsound.com/news/features/20070620_underworld

Underworld Caught Up In Riot 20 June 2007

Rick Smith injured as masked men invade festival stage...

Kings of live electronica, Underworld, had to cancel their performance at the Ejekt Festival in Athens at the weekend when the event degenerated into a full scale riot.

A group of around 30 masked men armed with baseball bats, iron bars and CS gas and reported to be local 'anarchists' stormed the stage at around 11.20pm as the Beastie Boys were performing.

Underworld producer Rick Smith, vocalist Carl Hyde and DJ Darren Price were preparing to close the festival, but in the following chaos Rick was among those who got hurt.

A statement on the band's website says: "As cars were burned and property damaged, the stadium was evacuated. Underworlds' Rick Smith was one of the injured. He was hospitalised for a time in Athens, but has now returned to the UK for further treatment. Several other people including security guards were seriously hurt."

Such actions by anarchist groups have been known before in Greece. Meanwhile fans have been assured the incident won't effect Underworld's big UK summer appearance at Renaissance Wild in the Country.

They top the bill alongside the likes of Hot Chip, Sasha & Digweed, 2ManyDJs, Eric Prydz, Tiga and Francois K. at the event at Knebworth on June 30th.