‘We Crossed The Line’: NOFX Issue Follow-up Statement For ‘Shameful’ Las Vegas Shooting Joke

US punk rock outfit NOFX have issued another statement about a "disgusting and callous" joke they made at a gig last week about the 2017 Las Vegas shooting.

In a post to Facebook, the band addressed the issue at length, stating “there’s no place here to backpedal” and what they said was “shameful”.

During their Punk Rock Bowling & Music Festival set last week, vocalist Fat Mike mentioned the shooting and went on to say, "at least [the victims] were country fans".

“We crossed the line of civility," the band’s new statement reads. "We can’t write songs about how people in this world need to be more decent, when we were clearly being indecent.

“Las Vegas has always been a welcoming city to our band, and to make light of the tragedy that occurred there was egregious.

“All members of the band would like to sincerely apologize to anyone who experienced loss from the Vegas shooting 8 months ago, and to anyone who was at our show who lost a loved one or a friend, or who had to witness the incredibly senseless violence that night.”

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The band’s initial response last week has also been called into question, with many asking why they didn’t issue an immediate apology, to which they’ve now said, “No press agent was gonna write this for us”.

“We didn’t feel that we could write a sincere apology without reflecting on the actual damage we had done,” NOFX said.

“We didn’t plan or intend on saying anything so insensitive. It was off the cuff, but just as hurtful. We won’t blame it on drugs or alcohol or Ambien. That’s too easy.

“NOFX said it, and we own it. We made a tasteless joke. But to be clear, NOFX does not condone violence against ANY group of people, period!”

After Fat Mike’s comments in Vegas, the band withdrew from their own festival, Ohio’s Punk In Drublic, and had the company that manufactures their beer, Stone Brewing, cut all ties.

Musicians and fans continue to respond on social media.

 

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