Echo & The Bunnymen Cancel U.S. Tour

British rockers ECHO & THE BUNNYMEN have cancelled their U.S. tour over an "unreasonable" demand for tax payments.

The group was due to kick off its series of concerts on 15 November (09) in Atlanta, Georgia but has pulled out with just ten days to go.

Overseas bands have to pay a fee to tour in America more than once within 30 days, according to the country's Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

And the cult rockers, who played a gig in New York last month (Oct09), have been left fuming over the rule - because now they won't be able to play their scheduled dates.

A statement on the group's website reads, "It's with the deepest regret that Echo and the Bunnymen have had to cancel their USA November tour. This is due to unreasonable demands presented by the IRS for the band to enter the USA to tour."

Ticket holders are advised to contact the venues to get a full refund, while the band is planning to play more shows in the U.S. in April (10).