Ex-Offspring Drummer Claims He Was Dismissed for Rejecting COVID Vaccine

Former drummer speaks out

The former Offspring drummer reveals he was dismissed from the band after declining the COVID vaccine.

• READ MORE: The Offspring: 'We wanted to make a record that was our quintessence and we damned well did it'

In 2021, Pete Parada was let go from the punk rock band, stating, “it was decided that it was not safe for me to be around, in the studio or on tour.”

Reasons behind the decision

The drummer mentioned he chose not to receive the vaccine after consulting his doctor, who advised him “not to get the shot at this time” due to his medical history of Guillain-Barré syndrome as a child and potential side effects.

During a podcast interview on Try it in a small town, Parada discussed his exit from the group. He noted that despite his doctor’s advice, the band, particularly their manager, did not accept his decision.

“He was new to the group. He’s only been with them since Covid hit. So I didn’t have much experience with this guy,” Parada stated. “He chose to attack me like a flamethrower. I have received disgusting phone calls in the past, but this was the most offensive and threatening call I have ever received in my entire career.”

Parada alleged that the manager expressed indifference towards his medical exemption and that he was “just yelling” and interrupting him.

“He made it clear that I either had to get vaccinated or I would be replaced,” he added. “The phone call was so shocking.” Watch the interview below.

Parada explained that he reached out to “two guys in the band who were my boss,” likely referring to longtime members Dexter Holland and Noodles.

“I tried to talk to them about him and said, ‘You can fire me for this, but you should know, this guy is a bad representation of you, and if he treats me like this, he treats your team even worse,’” he claimed.

“They told me, ‘It’s not him that’s the problem now, it’s your refusal to do it.’

“The situation deteriorated quite quickly after that, and less than a week later, I found that all communication had stopped. I had my flight, hotel, and everything delayed for rehearsal, and then a week later I checked the Southwest app and discovered I was replaced because my flight was cancelled.” NME has reached out to the group’s management for commentary.

Later this year, the band will embark on a European tour in support of their 11th and final studio album, Supercharged, which was released last October.

The tour begins in Cardiff on November 10, followed by performances at London’s O2, Newcastle’s Utilita Arena, Manchester’s AO Arena, and Glasgow’s OVO Hydro. A Simple Plan is set to support the group throughout the run.