Holy Fuck Scandalize Calgary

06/18/09 11:13am

by Kate Harper (CHARTattack)

The organizers of the Sled Island Music Festival have had to reprint posters they've been putting up to advertise the festival in Calgary because Holy Fuck's name made it onto them uncensored.

Apparently a city that has bull testicle fry-ups, the Calgary "Stoo-pede" fight 'n' drinkathon and the loogan-tacular "Red Mile" can't handle the word "fuck."

This started becoming a problem after the poster — which also includes the names of sponsors like the Calgary Sun newspaper, the City Of Calgary and the Calgary Arts Foundation — was put up in family restaurants.

"One of the kids pointed out to me there are swear words on a poster," restaurant manager Ali Clark told CBC News. "That's appalling to find in a family restaurant.

"[The poster] has a bunny on it. Imagine your eight-year-old going over to read it."

While Sled Island director Zakary Pashak was understandably concerned that the poster made its way into restaurants and has apologized for it, others say including the word on the poster is not such a big deal.

"We're very fortunate Sled Island has booked this band to play in Calgary," Terry Rock, president and CEO of Calgary Arts Development told CBC News about Holy Fuck. "This is a good band; this is good music; this is a great festival the city of Calgary is lucky to have."

Sled Island takes place at venues throughout Calgary from June 24 to 27 and also features The Breeders, Andrew W.K., Nardwuar The Human Serviette, The Bronx, Monotonix, Final Fantasy and more.