Members of a high-flying Kiwi band are denying a claim they trashed a room after performing at a council-organised event. Kaipara District Council booked Midnight Youth, the headline act for Dargaville's In the Deep End concert, into a two-bedroom unit at Hobson's Choice motel. Alan Hobson, who has owned the motel for23 years, said the band trashed the room, with mud trampled into the carpets and furniture, alcohol and cigarette butts scattered around and a used tampon thrown into the bath. The band left in the early hours of the morning, he said. "You wouldn't believe the state of the room in the morning ... I think they're trash if that's what they do," Mr Hobson said. However, the band's manager Matt Coleman said he had spoken to all the band members who had assured him they had not damaged the room. In the two years he had managed the band, there had never been any complaints about them, he said. Two other bands had been staying at the motel and he suggested Mr Hobson was blaming the wrong group. "He obviously hasn't got the right room ... he needs to get his facts straight." Mr Hobson said he did not normally allow bands or sports groups to stay at the motel but had been away when the booking was made. He had contacted the council about the incident but because his staff had cleaned the room in preparation for new guests arriving - and he had taken no photographs of the damage. He suspected he would end up out of pocket. "They had an after-party and I had instructed the council that there was to be no after parties." Kaipara District Council spokeswoman Claire Lichtwark-McInnes said the council was happy to make good on any damages provided Mr Hobson could put forward evidence. "However, we haven't been provided with any evidence or any detail of any damage." Event organiser Heidi Dreyer said she had gone to the motel at 7.45am but had not been able to enter the room. "He couldn't show me any damage, so I don't know what to say."
