Punk rockers NOFX are stirring controversy after band members cracked insensitive jokes about the Route 91 Harvest festival mass shooting that left 58 people dead and 851 injured.
"We played a song about Muslims and we didn't get shot. Hooray," frontman Fat Mike, whose real name is Michael Burkett, said after finishing a set at the Punk Rock Bowling & Music Festival in Las Vegas.
"I guess you only get shot in Vegas if you are in a country band," another band member responded.
Amid groans from the audience, Fat Mike doubled down.
"At least they were country fans and not punk rock fans."
On Oct. 1, Stephen Paddock fired into the crowd at Jason Aldean's concert from the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay hotel, killing dozens in the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history.
After the band's ill-advised remarks, the Punk Rock Bowling and Music Festival's founders attempted to distance themselves from their musical act.
"In light of NOFX's comments during their performance at the Punk Rock Bowling and Music Festival, we would like to offer a formal apology to those in attendance, the City of Las Vegas, the victims and the families of 10/1," Mark and Shawn Stern said in a statement Wednesday.
"Las Vegas is home to the Punk Rock Bowling & Music Festival, and we do not condone the statements made from our stage on Sunday night. We take the safety of our festival goers seriously and want to relay that, there is nothing funny about people being shot and murdered, ever."
NOFX has not yet commented on the backlash.
