NJ cover band canceled after Springsteen's anti-Trump comments
After Bruce Springsteen kicked off his European tour last week with comments calling President Trump corrupt and incompetent, he was warned by the Commander-in-Chief that there could be consequences for the 'Born in the USA' singer back home.
However, it's a New Jersey tribute band that makes money covering Springsteen songs that appears to be bearing the brunt of the Boss's actions.
Riv's Toms River Hub planned to host the cover band No Surrender on May 30, but the show was reportedly 86ed after management expressed concerns that Springsteen's comments have made his music radioactive to their clientele.
On Thursday, bandleader Brad Hobicorn told NJ Advance Media that he started getting messages from bar owner Tony Rivoli indicating he was getting cold feet about the upcoming gig. He said the nine-piece band was told on Sunday the show was 'too risky at the moment,' and that their $2,500 payday would be nixed.
'Because Bruce can't keep his mouth shut we're screwed,' Rivoli texted Hobicorn.
The skittish bar owner also texted the band's bass player his regrets that the Springsteen-themed show wasn't happening.
'Toms River is red and won't stand for [Springsteen's] bulls–t,' Rivoli wrote.
According to texts obtained by NJ Advance Media, Rivoli said he'd change his mind if No Surrender could convince him that they could draw at least 75 fans to the show. The band ultimately decided not to move forward.
Hobicorn conceded 'there was definitely a safety concern' and said it's best the concert isn't happening due to their negative feelings on the situation. The band will instead perform at Headliner Oasis in Neptune Township on May 30.
As the Boss began the last leg of his Land of Hope and Dreams tour, he told fans in Manchester that Trump is leading the U.S. to a dark place.
'The America I love, the America I've written about, that has been a beacon of hope and liberty for 250 years, is currently in the hands of a corrupt, incompetent and treasonous administration,' he said on May 14.
The president responded on Truth Social by calling Springsteen a 'prune' and warning him that insulting a U.S. leader abroad could mean trouble for the 75-year-old rocker when he gets home.
'We'll all see how it goes for him!' Trump tweeted.
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