Latest news with #LordBuffalo
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Rock Band Drummer Hauled Off Flight By Police In Shocking Video
's long-awaited European tour hit a screeching halt before it even began, all because their drummer was hauled off a plane in handcuffs. Saad Saidbaca, the longtime percussionist for the rising Texas-based rock band, was "forcibly removed" from a flight earlier this week just moments before the group was set to take off for a run of international shows. Now, newly released bodycam footage sheds light on the moment that shocked passengers and left his Lord Buffalo bandmates scrambling. In the footage, shared by Daily Mail, Saidbaca appears calm as airport police explain he's under arrest. Dressed for travel and visibly confused, he tells the officers he thought a custody case involving his daughter had wrapped up months ago. 'I just want to get home and talk to my lawyer,' he told them, as he was escorted down the concourse and into a waiting patrol car. According to law enforcement officials, the arrest was tied to a felony warrant issued in October. Saidbaca, who holds a green card and is a Mexican citizen, had allegedly violated a restraining order twice over the past year, triggering his arrest just days before Lord Buffalo's European leg was set to begin in the Netherlands. Saidbaca denies the allegations, saying the reported violations involved sending packages and letters, which may have been misinterpreted. 'The judge didn't say I did anything wrong… It wasn't an issue,' he said in the video, per Daily Mail. 'I didn't even know there was a warrant at all for that.' Officers informed him the warrant had been confirmed with Llano County, leaving no room for negotiation, and landed him behind bars at Tarrant County Jail, where he's currently being held on $40,000 bond. If convicted, he could face at least two years in prison. The Department of Homeland Security even jumped into the conversation, posting on X, though it seems the post has since been deleted. '[Saad] is a Mexican national and lawful U.S. permanent resident,' they wrote, per Daily Mail. '[He] had a warrant for his arrest after violating a restraining order at least TWICE. If you come to our country and break our laws, you will be arrested.' The sudden arrest has thrown Lord Buffalo's tour plans into chaos. The band, known for its haunting, cinematic sound, had been gearing up for a high-profile run through Europe, ending in Iceland next week. But after Monday's incident, everything is on pause. In an emotional statement posted to Instagram, the group said, 'We appreciate the tremendous outpouring of support. We still know very little about the situation, but we have been asked by our drummer's family and his legal team to respect their privacy while this situation evolves. We intend to do so, and we send all our love their way. We'll share updates from the family when we can. Thanks again for everyone's support.' The band has since confirmed that the entire tour is canceled, noting they were 'heartbroken' to pull the plug. The comments on their post have been disabled after fans allegedly told the band to "Get a drummer without warrants for their arrest so you can leave the country." Saidbaca's backstory adds another emotional layer. His family moved from Mexico City to Austin in the late 1980s after surviving a catastrophic earthquake. Since then, he's helped build Lord Buffalo into a cult favorite on the indie scene, one that was just starting to break through internationally. Some of their hits include "Dog Head" and "Indian Summer." For now, both fans and bandmates are left stunned and waiting for answers.
Daily Mail
17-05-2025
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Shocking moment Lord Buffalo drummer is hauled away by ICE
The drummer for Texas-based rock bank Lord Buffalo who was 'forcibly removed' from his flight just before the group was about to take off on a European tour, can be seen in newly released bodycam footage explaining himself to cops. Saad Saidbaca, a longtime member of the rising band, was escorted from the plane in handcuffs by airport police on Monday, leaving stunned passengers and his bandmates in disbelief. Although Saidbaca is a Mexican citizen he has a green card after he and his family 'moved to Austin in the late '80s, after a devastating earthquake hit Mexico City.' He was detained by airport cops after police responded to an active arrest warrant. According to law enforcement, Saidbaca had violated a protective order, also known as a restraining order, twice in the past year, triggering a felony-level arrest warrant that led to his removal from the aircraft. He is being held in a Tarrant County, Texas, jail on $40,000 bond. A conviction could result in at least two years of jail time. Dressed for travel, the footage shows Saidbaca reacting calmly as police tell him he is being placed under arrest and being taken to jail. Saidbaca explained that he believed a custody case involving his daughter had ended in December and denied any wrongdoing, saying he merely sent packages and letters, which the child's mother may have reported as violations. Confused about why the warrant, issued in October, was not addressed when he appeared in court in December, Saidbaca expressed frustration but complied with officers as they prepared to transfer him to jail, stating, 'I just want to get home and talk to my lawyer.' The drummer initially seemed surprised at the action being taken but complies when officers ask him to turn around so he can be placed in cuffs. He is then slowly marched out along the airport concourse and into a waiting patrol car to take him away. Lord Buffalo, known for its brooding, cinematic sound, had been gearing up for a major European run - set to begin on Thursday in the Netherlands and wrap in Iceland next week. But those plans were quickly shelved with the band citing heartbreak and confusion over the unexpected arrest. The group appeared to be completely blindsided by what had occurred to their fellow bandmate. 'We appreciate the tremendous outpouring of support. We still know very little about the situation, but we have been asked by our drummer's family and his legal team to respect their privacy while this situation evolves,' the band wrote in on Instagram. 'We intend to do so, and we send all our love their way. We'll share updates from the family when we can. Thanks again for everyone's support,' the statement read. The band's tour was set to begin on Thursday in the Netherlands before finishing in Iceland next Friday. The group has since decided to abandon the tour noting how they were 'heartbroken' at having to cancel it. Police officers also seemed puzzles as to why Saidbaca had not been arrested sooner. 'That's what our big question is - why didn't they get you in December when you were sitting there in court?' one officer asked. 'Yeah, I mean, I've been doing everything I'm supposed to be doing,' Saidbaca replied. He revealed that he had been sending birthday and Christmas packages to his daughter, but that her mother had reported those to the police as violations of the order. He insisted the court never found fault with those actions. 'The judge didn't say I did anything wrong… It wasn't an issue,' he said. 'I didn't even know there was a warrant at all for that.' Police told him they had confirmed the warrant with Llano County, and there was no choice - he would have to go to jail. 'So this trip is definitely not happening,' Saidbaca muttered, staring at the floor. 'My band without a drummer. The Department of Homeland Security wasted no time weighing in on the high-profile arrest. 'Yamal Said is a Mexican national and lawful U.S. permanent resident,' they wrote in a post to X. 'Said had a warrant for his arrest after violating a restraining order at least TWICE. If you come to our country and break our laws, you will be arrested.' Online jail records confirmed that Saidbaca allegedly committed a felony by breaking a restraining order. Saidbaca's family moved to the United States in the late 1980s after fleeing the devastation of the Mexico City earthquake. The drummer had lived in Austin for decades, carving out a name in the indie rock scene and helping Lord Buffalo grow from an obscure Texas band to a cult favorite on the international circuit. There appeared to be little sympathy from fans on the bands Instagram account following Saidbaca's arrest. 'Get a drummer without warrants for their arrest so you can leave the country,' wrote one user. 'Keep your hands to yourself and you wouldn't put yourself or your bandmates through this. The blame lies at your feet,' wrote another. 'Became a fan, sorry for your drummer. This is wild,' added a third.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Yahoo
Austin band cancels European tour after drummer arrested by CBP at Dallas airport
AUSTIN (KXAN) — An Austin-based band went viral online this week after posting on social media that it had to cancel a European tour because its drummer was 'forcibly removed' by Customs and Border Patrol from a flight out of the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. The band, Lord Buffalo, said in the post, 'We are heartbroken to announce we have to cancel our upcoming European tour. Our drummer, who is a Mexican citizen and lawful permanent resident of the United States (green card holder) was forcibly removed from our flight to Europe by Customs and Border Patrol at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport on Monday May 12.' Lord Buffalo's post initially stated that their drummer had not yet been released, with band members unable to contact him by that point, and that they were working with an immigration lawyer to find out more information and secure his release. Lord Buffalo's announcement quickly gained traction online. Several news outlets, including NBC News, Variety, Pitchfork, Fox News, and The Guardian, reported on the situation, primarily citing Lord Buffalo's social media posts. Many commenters on Lord Buffalo's Facebook post expressed concern that Yamal's detainment was related to his citizenship status, amid ramped-up efforts from the Trump administration to crack down on immigration. However, online jail records from Tarrant County, which is where the DFW Airport is located, show that Yamal, whose full name is Saad Yamal Saidbaca, was arrested on an active warrant out of Llano County for alleged violation of a protective order twice in the last year. Saidbaca is still in custody at the Tarrant County Corrections Center on a $40,000 bond, according to online jail records. KXAN reached out to the Tarrant County District Clerk's office to request an affidavit and attorney information related to Saidbaca's arrest, but the office responded saying, 'we do not have a Tarrant County district court case associated to the defendant; therefore, we do not have any information responsive to your request.' When KXAN finds attorney information for Saidbaca, we will reach out to ask for a comment on the charges. KXAN also contacted the Llano County District Clerk's Office, which directed us to the Llano County Sheriff's Office. The sheriff's office has not yet responded. The Department of Homeland Security posted on X about the arrest. 'Yamal Said is a Mexican national and lawful U.S. permanent resident. Said had a warrant for his arrest after violating a restraining order at least TWICE. If you come to our country and break our laws, you will be arrested,' the post said. 'When he was attempting to leave the U.S., he was apprehended by CBP and has been turned over to local law enforcement.' A CBP spokesperson gave a similar statement to KXAN via email Thursday afternoon. 'Yamal Said, a Mexican citizen and lawful U.S. permanent resident, was detained by U.S. Customs and Border Protection while attempting to depart the United States aboard a flight due to having an active arrest warrant. He was turned over to local law enforcement.' In an update to Lord Buffalo's Facebook post, the band said Yamal had 'secured the legal representation he needs,' and that band members were waiting to hear what's next. They added that they 'have more questions than answers,' but ensured plans to provide updates on the situation. KXAN reached out to Lord Buffalo via Facebook and Instagram, and we have not yet received a response. This story will be updated if/when we get a reply. A newer post from the band said that Saidbaca's family and legal team request privacy while the situation evolves. Lord Buffalo's record label, Blues Funeral Recordings, said over email Wednesday evening that 'Yamal's status is still unclear and the band is continuing to try to figure things out alongside their attorney.' The label said the band is holding off on answering questions for now. According to a Voyage Austin feature on Saidbaca that was published in 2024, he and his family moved to Austin in the late 80s after an earthquake hit Mexico City, and he's been in Austin since then. In that story, Saidbaca told the publication that he started working at Texas School for the Blind as a substitute when he was about 18 years old. He still works for the school as a paraprofessional, according to Superintendent Emily Coleman. Coleman told KXAN over email on Wednesday evening that the school was 'made aware of Yamal's situation today and have not been in direct contact with him.' 'Yamal is a valued member of our community, with over 21 years of service to our school, and was recently awarded the Outstanding Paraprofessional of the year,' said Coleman, who also added that the school was not aware of any active warrant or protective order. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Lord Buffalo Claims Mexican Drummer Was 'Forcibly Removed' from a Flight as the Texas Band Cancels Tour
Texas band Lord Buffalo has canceled its upcoming European tour The four-piece group claimed in a social media post that Mexican drummer Yamal Said was "forcibly removed" from a flight at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport The U.S. Department of Homeland security issued a response via social mediaLord Buffalo is canceling its upcoming European tour after the Texas band's drummer was allegedly "forcibly removed" from a flight. Shortly before the band was set to perform its first show of the tour in Heerlen, Netherlands on May 15, the members took to social media to announce the cancellation and share details of drummer Yamal Said's experience. "We are heartbroken to announce we have to cancel our upcoming European tour," began a statement on Facebook. "Our drummer, who is a Mexican citizen and lawful permanent resident of the United States (green card holder) was forcibly removed from our flight to Europe by Customs and Border Patrol at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport on Monday May 12." At the time, the band explained they were "unable to contact" Said as he'd "not been released" yet, though they're "working with an immigration lawyer to find out more information and to attempt to secure his release." Lord Buffalo expressed feeling "devastated" about the canceled concerts but urged that Said's fellow members Daniel Jesse Pruitt, Garrett Jeffrey Hellman and Patrick John Patterson "are focusing all of our energy and resources on Yamal's safety and freedom." "We are hopeful that this is a temporary setback and that it could be safe for us to reschedule this tour in the future," continued the band, noting that tourmates Orsak:Oslo will follow through on performing the scheduled shows. PEOPLE has reached out to the band and DFW International Airport for comment. Following some media coverage on the initial news, the official X account for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security wrote in a post on May 14, "Yamal Said is a Mexican national and lawful U.S. permanent resident." "Said had a warrant for his arrest after violating a restraining order at least TWICE. If you come to our country and break our laws, you will be arrested," alleged the note. "When he was attempting to leave the U.S., he was apprehended by CBP and has been turned over to local law enforcement." In a follow-up Facebook statement from Lord Buffalo the same day, the band thanked fans for their "outpouring of support" in the wake of the situation. "Our drummer has secured the legal representation he needs and we are waiting to hear what comes next. We want to reiterate that we truly don't know what's going on," they wrote. "We have more questions than answers, but we will keep you posted as much as we can," continued the statement. "At this time the family asks for privacy as they navigate the situation." Lord Buffalo's latest album, Holus Bolus, is out now. Read the original article on People
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Rock band cancels tour after drummer detained by immigration authorities
Texas rock band Lord Buffalo had to cancel its European tour after their drummer was detained by U.S. border control agents while traveling. Yamal Said, who is a Mexican citizen and has a green card that allows him to live and work in the U.S. legally, was 'forcibly removed from our flight to Europe by Customs and Border Patrol at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport on Monday May 12,' Lord Buffalo wrote in a Facebook post Wednesday. 'We are devastated to cancel this tour, but we are focusing all of our energy and resources on Yamal's safety and freedom,' the band wrote. 'We are hopeful that this is a temporary setback and that it could be safe for us to reschedule this tour in the future.' Lord Buffalo's touring partners, Orsak:Oslo, will continue the tour as planned. The group encouraged fans to 'go see this amazing band' over the next few weeks. Lord Buffalo later posted an update that said the drummer 'secured the legal representation he needs' and we were waiting to hear on next steps. 'We appreciate the tremendous outpouring of support from y'all today. We still know very little about the situation, but we have been asked by our drummer's family and his legal team to respect their privacy while this situation evolves,' the band wrote in a separate Facebook post. 'We'll share updates from the family when we can. Thanks again for everyone's support. Lord Buffalo formed in Austin, Texas, in 2012 and consists of members Daniel Pruitt, Garrett Hellman, Patrick Patterson, and Yamal Said. The band, whose music has been classified as 'psych-Americana' and 'mud-folk,' is best known for its songs 'I Wait on the Door Slab' and 'Rowing in Eden.' 'Corrupt, incompetent and treasonous': Rock icon bashes Trump at UK show The Iron Horse in Northampton, now reopened a year, experiences a renaissance Metal band speaks out after other group blamed them for ending tour early Rapper stabbed 14 times in prison while serving 10-year sentence for shooting Country music pioneer 'whose artistry touched millions' dies at 73 Read the original article on MassLive.
