Steve Lawler was threatened by staff of the Space Club GDL in Guadalajara, Mexico, after refusing a management request to play a "techno trance" CD in the middle of his set for the opening party of the club on the 19th November 2004; according Lawler's manager Joel Zimmerman.

Lawler decided to cut his set short after refusing to play the CD. But staff from the Space Club GDL followed the DJ outside and told him he could not leave until he had completed his set.

Zimmerman posted a message on Steve Lawler’s website after the incident and has vowed to never again book DJs he represents to play at the club.