CHARLOTTE – Pop-punk band Sum 41 joined the likes of Bruce Springsteen and Jimmy Buffett when they cancelled their upcoming Charlotte concert, a move they insisted had to do with the state law banning transgender individuals from using the bathroom corresponding to the sex they identify with, and not a lack of ticket sales.
“This law is an abomination and an affront to human rights,” said singer Deryck Whibley. “As a band that has stood for progress almost as long as it has stood for being rad, we had no choice but to cancel the concert for that reason, and that reason alone.”
“Our sincere apologies to all the hundreds, no thousands, of people who had bought tickets,” he added.
Sum 41 broke out of Ajax Ontario in 2001 with catchy singles like ‘Fat Lip’ and ‘In Too Deep.’ Although the band has struggled to maintain that initial success, they have apparently held on to enough of a fan base to not only sell out concert halls, but influence statewide policy decisions.
“How could we perform to the type of full, raucous crowd we definitely continue to draw, knowing that injustice was being done? Also for unrelated but equally important reasons we are cancelling our shows in New York City, Chicago and Denver. But the Grand Rapids State Fair is still a go!” said guitarist Dave Baksh.
Asked whether the band’s refusal to play his state would have any impact on his decision, governor Pat McCrory said the band was going to have to be ‘still waiting’ for him to change his mind. He then winked before realizing no one understood.
“You know, ‘still waiting’ – like the lyric from that song we all still love. Right guys?”
“Guys?”
At press time Sum 41 had booked a sweet replacement gig opening up for Blink 182 spin off band Angels & Airwaves
