Smash Mouth faces criticism for live performance at Sturgis Motorcycle Rally

Tuesday, August 11, 2020
STURGIS, S.D. -- Smash Mouth is being blasted on social media after the band headlined a large festival as COVID-19 cases continue to surge across the country.

The rock band from San Jose performed during a live concert in South Dakota Sunday as part of the 80th annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.
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Video from KOTA-TV of the concert shows a crowd gathering near the stage with little social distancing and most people not wearing masks.

Singer Steve Harwell could be heard addressing the pandemic and using expletives to describe COVID-19.

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One person tweeted, "Ugh I am so disappointed in them. They were suppose to be better than this."



"He really ain't the sharpest tool in the shed," tweeted another person.
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"Man, Smashmouth used to be one of my favorite bands back in the 90s! Saw them live a few times. But would I risk a pandemic to see them 20 years later? Hell no!," wrote one person.

More than 250,000 people are expected to attend the 10-day Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, which began Aug.7 and will run through the 16.

Upcoming feature concerts include Buckcherry, Lit, .38 Special, Quiet Riot, Reverend Horton Heat and Bone Thugs-n-Harmony.

Masks are encouraged, but not required.
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