Bunnymen cancel US tour over tax

The tour was due to being in Atlanta on 15 November

Echo and the Bunnymen have cancelled their US tour 10 days before it was due to begin over a tax dispute.

Due to an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) rule, foreign bands have to pay a fee if they tour in the US more than once in 30 days.

The band played a one-off gig in New York last month.

A statement on the group's website said the cancellation was due to the IRS's "unreasonable demands" and they would return to tour the US in April 2010.

"It's with the deepest regret that Echo and the Bunnymen have had to cancel their USA November tour," the statement said.

"This is due to unreasonable demands presented by the IRS for the band to enter the USA to tour."

The tour was due to kick off in Atlanta on 15 November and continue on the east coast at cities including Washington, New York, Boston and Chicago.

The band, whose hits include The Cutter and Killing Moon, advised ticket holders to contact venues for refunds.