Well, folks, it seems even the Boss’s shadow can stir up a political storm in the heart of red-state America.
Breitbart reported that Bruce Springsteen’s sharp-tongued critique of President Donald Trump during a recent European tour has cost a tribute band, No Surrender, their upcoming gig at Riv’s Toms River Hub in Toms River, New Jersey, due to the bar owner’s concerns over his conservative clientele.
Let’s rewind to earlier this month, when Springsteen took the stage in Manchester, England, and unleashed a barrage of criticism against Trump, calling his administration “corrupt” and “incompetent” in a live recording of the show.
That recording didn’t just echo across the Atlantic; it landed like a thunderclap in Toms River, where No Surrender, a band that’s been rocking Springsteen covers for over 20 years, was set to perform on May 30.
Bar owner Tony Rivoli got wind of the controversy and started texting No Surrender’s bandleader, Brad Hobicorn, with concerns about the fallout from Springsteen’s remarks.
Rivoli, keenly aware of his conservative customer base, decided that hosting a band tied to Springsteen’s music was, in his words, “too risky” for his venue’s vibe.
“Toms River is red and won’t stand for his bullshit,” Rivoli told No Surrender’s bassist, emphasizing how his patrons stand silent and proud during the national anthem. That’s a sentiment many heartland Americans can understand—loyalty to country often trumps loyalty to a rock icon, no pun intended.
Rivoli even turned down Hobicorn’s compromise to play only classic rock covers, refusing to shell out $2,500 for a show without the Springsteen branding that originally justified the price tag.
“This is not political for us at all,” Hobicorn told NJ Advance Media, lamenting the financial hit his band is taking over a controversy they didn’t start.
He’s got a point—why should a group of hardworking musicians, just trying to pay the bills, get dragged into a feud between a rock legend and the leader of the free world?
Yet, as much as one sympathizes, it’s hard to ignore that Springsteen’s outspokenness has consequences, and sometimes the little guys bear the brunt.
President Trump didn’t let the criticism slide, labeling Springsteen as “elitist” and “out of touch” with the everyday Americans who fill bars like Riv’s Toms River Hub.
That jab hits home for many who feel Hollywood and rock royalty often lecture rather than listen, though one wonders if such public spats do more to divide than unite.
Still, this isn’t the first time a Springsteen tribute band has been caught in the political crosshairs—back in 2017, the B Street Band faced backlash for booking a gig at a Trump inaugural event and ultimately pulled out.
Tribute bands like No Surrender, or those covering legends like Led Zeppelin and the Doors, have become staples in local venues, offering affordable nostalgia when original artist tickets can cost a small fortune.
But when politics creeps into the setlist, even indirectly, it’s clear that no one escapes the cultural tug-of-war—not even a band just trying to channel the E Street sound.