Toms River bar cancels Springsteen cover band’s performance due to The Boss’s political statements
The band members of No Surrender say they learned by text that their gig next Friday at a Toms River restaurant was off because of what Bruce Springsteen said about President Donald Trump.
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Bruce Springsteen is long known for making politically charged comments during performances, but his most recent words criticizing President Donald Trump landed a tribute band “frozen out” of a gig in Toms River.
“You’re banning a Springsteen cover band. We’re not Bruce Springsteen. I don’t know if anyone realizes that,” said No Surrender leader Brad Hobicorn.
Hobicorn says he learned by text that his gig next Friday at a Toms River restaurant was off because of what Springsteen said. According to Hobicorn, Springsteen’s comments this month led the owner to pull the plug on the band because of the restaurant’s proclaimed target audience.
“When you tell me your customer base is redder than red then it begs the question, 'Why did you book us in the first place?” Hobicorn asked.
Until this year, “No Surrender” performed as “Asbury Fever” for 23 years, incorporating The Boss’s hits and other classic rock staples before strictly transforming into a full-fledged Springsteen tribute.
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“We were going to have a really good crowd for you,” said Hobicorn.
The cancellation went viral on social media leading to dozens of other offers to fill the date. Band booker Jesse Warren reached out to Headliner in Neptune City. No Surrender will now take the stage on May 30 inside, following an early outdoor set by the group Shut Up Gus.
“This is a check your politics at the door. Come in, forget about all that stuff and just enjoy yourself it’s supposed to be a party and a good time,” said Tom Sueta, owner of Headliner.
Hobicorn says he offered a solution to play under the name Asbury Fever and perform classic rock tunes without Springsteen songs but decided to look to other options because of the negative situation and safety concerns.
“We’re all cover bands covering the guy’s music and that’s it. And it should always be about the music. That’s it. That’s my statement,” he said.
News 12 spoke with the owner of the Toms River venue who said he also received multiple offers from bands to fill No Surrender’s opening, and it’s booked. He said it was an amicable business decision between the two parties, and he hopes everyone recognizes the real meaning behind the upcoming Memorial Day weekend.
