Offspring drummer Pete Parada ousted from tour after saying no to Covid jab

The Pretty Fly hit makers have ousted their drummer ahead of their US tour because he is refusing to take the Covid jab.

The drummer for chart-topping rockers The Offspring claims he has been booted from the band’s upcoming American tour because he won’t get vaccinated.

As the US opens up to festivals and concert tours, many promoters and bands are making vaccination mandatory for artists and crews to return to work.

Pete Parada, who has been a member of the line-up since 2007, told fans via social media he had been advised by his doctor to “not get a shot at this time” because of his medical history with Guillain-Barre syndrome, which has been reported as a very rare side effect of some vaccines.

Drummer Pete Parada (second from right) is out of The Offspring. Picture: Daveed Benito

Parada said in the post he contracted the virus last year and suffered mild symptoms.

“So I am confident I’d be able to handle it again, but I’m not so certain I’d survive another post-vaccination round of Guillain-Barre Syndrome, which dates back to my childhood and has evolved to be progressively worse over my lifetime,” he wrote.

Parada said because he was unable to comply with “what is increasingly becoming an industry mandate”, he is out of the band.

“It has recently been decided that I am unsafe to be around, in the studio, and on tour,” he posted.

“I have no negative feelings towards my band. They’re doing what they believe is best for them, while I’m doing the same.”

Parada (second from left) has played drums in the Offspring since 2007. Picture: Supplied

The band are booked to kick off a radio promo tour and festival dates from September 1.

Parada insisted he supported “informed consent” regarding vaccination but was sharing his medical reasons for not getting the jab in solidarity with others who were unable to be vaxxed because of underlying health conditions or possible side effects.

He said many people suffered the “financial inability to take time off work/lack of health care in the event of potential side effects.”

“I also want to share my story so that anyone else experiencing the agony and isolation of getting left behind right now – knows they’re not entirely alone,” he posted.

The Offspring, founded by frontman Dexter Holland and guitarist Noodles band released their 10th album Let The Bad Times Roll in April, peaking at No. 2 on the ARIA charts.

As promoters around the world wrestle with implementing vaccine passports and other protocols to keep bands and fans safe as touring opens up overseas, New York is the first city to announce fans will need proof of vaccination to attend indoor gigs from September.

Mayor Bill de Blasio mandated that not only will workers at indoor restaurants, gyms and entertainment clubs and theatres have to be fully vaxxed but so will all patrons.

Originally published as Offspring drummer Pete Parada ousted from tour after saying no to Covid jab