Sunshine Coast rockers Transvaal Diamond Syndicate have had the kibosh placed on a recent crowdfunding scheme, in which the trio offered up “$5 moustache rides to willing punters of all ages, genders and creeds”.
In what they referred to as a “tongue-in-cheek display”, the moustachioed three-piece were hoping to raise $10,000 in 40 days to help cover the expenses of recording a new double EP they hope to release later this year.
“At only $5 a moustache ride the band is looking at some 2,000 rides to make bank, enlisting a chapstick sponsor to help the cause,” they wrote. For readers unfamiliar with the concept of the ‘moustache ride’, this Urban Dictionary link might be useful.
“It’s quite a busy time for us after taking the first half of 2015 pretty easy. We toured hard over the last 5 years, chalking up a stupid amount of k’s and gigs. Now we’re back in the swing of things… just like riding a bike!” the band said in a statement.
However, the platform Transvaal Diamond Syndicate chose to launch their crowdfunding venture apparently weren’t so thrilled about a campaign using the promise of sex, no matter how tongue-in-cheek, as a perk.
“That particular perk has been removed from the campaign because it does violate our terms of use. We do not allow contributions in exchange for sex,” a representative from Indiegogo told Tone Deaf.
While it’s not explicitly stated in Indiegogo’s Terms of Use that “contributions in exchange for sex” are not allowed, it is stated that campaigns cannot offer any perks that would be “prohibited by applicable law to possess or distribute”.
We’re guessing moustachioed prostitution would fall under that category.
In an update post issued four days ago, the band claimed they had sold two moustache rides. It’s not clear if these unfortunate supporters will now be receiving refunds or a perk in lieu of their ride.
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The band’s Indiegogo campaign was launched 15 days ago and has amassed just under $5,500, with 25 days left in the campaign. The band have not issued a statement about the disappearance of the moustache ride perk from their campaign.
While we would never endorse a band prostituting themselves to raise funds for recording, is it right for a crowdfunding platform to rescind a campaign perk if everyone involved understands that the offer is tongue-in-cheek?
All in all, the Transvaal boys are doing pretty good. At least they don’t have a disaster the size of Scott Weiland’s recent crowdfunding venture on their hands. As Tone Deaf reported, Weiland is in hot water with some seriously pissed off contributors.
