ByNatalie Dreier, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
Smash Mouth at Sturgis FILE PHOTO: Steve Harwell of Smash Mouth performs at a New York music festival. The band took the stage in front of a packed crowd at the 2020 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. (Brad Barket)
(Brad Barket)
ByNatalie Dreier, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
STURGIS, S.D. — Smash Mouth took the stage to perform during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally Sunday amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The band and concertgoers are now facing backlash as thousands of bikers packed the venue to hear Smash Mouth play.
@smashmouth Very disappointing to see your role in not encouraging social distancing and mask wearing. Your actions could lead to a lot of suffering in the next few weeks. We all need to do our part and be part of the solution.
Frontman Steve Harwell fired back at the pandemic using expletives to describe the ongoing pandemic and his comments were met by cheers, USA Today reported.
Normally Sturgis brings in about 500,000 visitors to the South Dakota town. The event is being held for the 80th year and organizers said social distancing would be recommended, CNN reported.
But health experts are worried that the rally could be a super-spreader event that may bring a resurgence of the virus, according to CNN.
Despite the crowds, the band said the concert’s promoters took all safety precautions they could for the event to be held safely, Billboard reported.
The owner of the campground which is a focal point of the rally told CNN signs were to be installed reminding visitors to stay socially distant and to frequently sanitize their hands.
The rally runs from Aug. 7 until Aug. 16 with more events and concerts including performances from Quiet Riot and Night Ranger, Fox News reported.
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Sturgis 80th anniversary DEADWOOD, SD - AUGUST 08: A woman crosses the street wearing a mask as motorcyclists ride through downtown Deadwood, South Dakota during the 80th Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally on August 8, 2020. While the rally usually attracts around 500,000 people, officials estimate that more than 250,000 people may still show up to this year's festival despite the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo by Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images) (Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images)
Sturgis 80th anniversary People crowded around bars in Sturgis, S.D., on Friday, Aug. 7, 2020 during the 80th anniversary of the Sturgis Motorcyle Rally. (AP Photo/Stephen Groves) (Stephen Groves/AP)
Sturgis 80th anniversary STURGIS, SD - AUGUST 09: People order drinks from behind a plexiglass shied at the Big Engine Bar at the Buffalo Chip during the 80th Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in Sturgis, South Dakota on August 9, 2020. While the rally usually attracts around 500,000 people, officials estimate that more than 250,000 people may still show up to this year's festival despite the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo by Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images) (Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images)
Sturgis 80th anniversary Bikers ride through downtown Sturgis, S.D., on Friday, Aug. 7, 2020. Organizers of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally expect 250,000 people to visit the town of Sturgis during the 10 day rally. (AP Photo/Stephen Groves) (Stephen Groves/AP)
Sturgis 80th anniversary DEADWOOD, SD - AUGUST 08: Motorcyclists ride through downtown Deadwood, South Dakota during the 80th Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally on August 8, 2020. While the rally usually attracts around 500,000 people, officials estimate that more than 250,000 people may still show up to this year's festival despite the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo by Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images) (Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images)
Sturgis 80th anniversary STURGIS, SD - AUGUST 09: Maggie Zepeda, center, dances as she watches a concert at the Full Throttle Saloon during the 80th Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in Sturgis, South Dakota on August 9, 2020. While the rally usually attracts around 500,000 people, officials estimate that more than 250,000 people may still show up to this year's festival despite the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo by Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images) (Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images)
Sturgis 80th anniversary STURGIS, SD - AUGUST 09: People watch a concert at the Full Throttle Saloon during the 80th Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in Sturgis, South Dakota on August 9, 2020. While the rally usually attracts around 500,000 people, officials estimate that more than 250,000 people may still show up to this year's festival despite the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo by Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images) (Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images)
Sturgis 80th anniversary STURGIS, SD - AUGUST 08: Motorcyclists ride down Main Street during the 80th Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in Sturgis, South Dakota on August 8, 2020. While the rally usually attracts around 500,000 people, officials estimate that more than 250,000 people may still show up to this year's festival despite the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo by Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images) (Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images)
Sturgis 80th anniversary STURGIS, SD - AUGUST 07: Motorcyclists ride down Main Street during the 80th Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally on August 7, 2020 in Sturgis, South Dakota. While the rally usually attracts around 500,000 people, officials estimate that more than 250,000 people may still show up to this year's festival despite the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo by Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images) (Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images)
Sturgis 80th anniversary DEADWOOD, SD - AUGUST 08: Motorcyclists ride through downtown Deadwood, South Dakota during the 80th Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally on August 8, 2020. While the rally usually attracts around 500,000 people, officials estimate that more than 250,000 people may still show up to this year's festival despite the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo by Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images) (Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images)
Sturgis 80th anniversary STURGIS, SD - AUGUST 08: Motorcyclists embrace during the 80th Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in Sturgis, South Dakota on August 8, 2020. While the rally usually attracts around 500,000 people, officials estimate that more than 250,000 people may still show up to this year's festival despite the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo by Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images) (Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images)
Sturgis 80th anniversary STURGIS, SD - AUGUST 09: A sign about social distancing sits outside the Full Throttle Saloon during the 80th Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in Sturgis, South Dakota on August 9, 2020. While the rally usually attracts around 500,000 people, officials estimate that more than 250,000 people may still show up to this year's festival despite the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo by Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images) (Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images)
Sturgis 80th anniversary STURGIS, SD - AUGUST 09: People watch a concert at the Full Throttle Saloon during the 80th Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in Sturgis, South Dakota on August 9, 2020. While the rally usually attracts around 500,000 people, officials estimate that more than 250,000 people may still show up to this year's festival despite the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo by Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images) (Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images)
Sturgis 80th anniversary Thousands of bikers rode through the streets for the opening day of the 80th annual Sturgis Motorcycle rally Friday, Aug. 7, 2020, in Sturgis, S.D. (AP Photo/Stephen Groves) (Stephen Groves/AP)
Sturgis 80th anniversary People fill a bar during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, Friday, Aug. 7, 2020, in Sturgis, S.D., amid the coronavirus pandemic. (AP Photo/Stephen Groves) (Stephen Groves/AP)
Sturgis 80th anniversary STURGIS, SD - AUGUST 07: Kevin Campbell (C) cheers while watching a band perform during the 80th Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally on August 7, 2020 in Sturgis, South Dakota. While the rally usually attracts around 500,000 people, officials estimate that more than 250,000 people may still show up to this year's festival despite the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo by Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images) (Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images)
Sturgis 80th anniversary STURGIS, SD - AUGUST 07: Huey Barney takes a call on his motorcycle during the 80th Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally on August 7, 2020 in Sturgis, South Dakota. While the rally usually attracts around 500,000 people, officials estimate that more than 250,000 people may still show up to this year's festival despite the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo by Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images) (Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images)
Sturgis 80th anniversary DEADWOOD, SD - AUGUST 08: Motorcyclists ride through downtown Deadwood, South Dakota during the 80th Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally on August 8, 2020. While the rally usually attracts around 500,000 people, officials estimate that more than 250,000 people may still show up to this year's festival despite the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo by Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images) (Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images)
Sturgis 80th anniversary DEADWOOD, SD - AUGUST 08: A man gets on his motorcycle in downtown Deadwood, South Dakota during the 80th Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally on August 8, 2020. While the rally usually attracts around 500,000 people, officials estimate that more than 250,000 people may still show up to this year's festival despite the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo by Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images) (Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images)
Sturgis 80th anniversary STURGIS, SD - AUGUST 08: People walk along Main Street during the 80th Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in Sturgis, South Dakota on August 8, 2020. While the rally usually attracts around 500,000 people, officials estimate that more than 250,000 people may still show up to this year's festival despite the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo by Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images) (Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images)
Sturgis 80th anniversary Thousands of bikers rode through the streets for the opening day of the 80th annual Sturgis Motorcycle rally Friday, Aug. 7, 2020, in Sturgis, S.D. Many at the rally defied coronavirus precautions like wearing face masks or social distancing. (AP Photo/Stephen Groves) (Stephen Groves/AP)
Sturgis 80th anniversary STURGIS, SD - AUGUST 07: A motorcyclist wears a face mask during the 80th Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally on August 7, 2020 in Sturgis, South Dakota. While the rally usually attracts around 500,000 people, officials estimate that more than 250,000 people may still show up to this year's festival despite the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo by Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images) (Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images)
Sturgis 80th anniversary STURGIS, SD - AUGUST 07: People drink on the decks at One Eyed Jacks Saloon during the 80th Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally on August 7, 2020 in Sturgis, South Dakota. While the rally usually attracts around 500,000 people, officials estimate that more than 250,000 people may still show up to this year's festival despite the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo by Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images) (Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images)
Sturgis 80th anniversary STURGIS, SD - AUGUST 07: Joe Nagy buckles his dog, Bentley, into his motorcycle during the 80th Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally on August 7, 2020 in Sturgis, South Dakota. While the rally usually attracts around 500,000 people, officials estimate that more than 250,000 people may still show up to this year's festival despite the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo by Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images) (Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images)
Sturgis 80th anniversary Thousands of bikers rode through the streets for the opening day of the 80th annual Sturgis Motorcycle rally Friday, Aug. 7, 2020, in Sturgis, S.D. Among the crowds of people in downtown Sturgis, a handful wore face masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19. (AP Photo/Stephen Groves) (Stephen Groves/AP)
Sturgis 80th anniversary STURGIS, SD - AUGUST 08: Motorcyclists ride down Lazelle Street during the 80th Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in Sturgis, South Dakota on August 8, 2020. While the rally usually attracts around 500,000 people, officials estimate that more than 250,000 people may still show up to this year's festival despite the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo by Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images) (Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images)
