Fall Out Boy are preparing to embark on their biggest North American tour to date, albeit a few weeks later than originally planned.
The band cited “personal issues” as the reason for delaying the massive Honda Civic Tour, which now begins May 11.
NME.com caught up with bassist Pete Wentz to discuss the fall out from the delay, how it has affected the band, and what fans can expect from the tour.
“It’s funny because when you put a statement out that says ‘personal issues,’ it’s stupid because it’s poorly worded and everybody is immediately like, ‘Oh my God, someone’s in rehab, someone’s dead,” Wentz told NME.com.
“But no one’s in rehab, no one’s dead,” he assured. “Then we tried to rectify that statement by saying it’s general health issues of the band, but then people thought that someone was really sick and they’re not.”
Wentz said that unlike pop bands that “make appearances here and there, we’re a rock band with a rigorous schedule. So we decided we’d take a breath rather than jump in and do crappy shows.”
Wentz confirmed that the break has served its purpose. “We’ve been rehearsing and getting the tour ready,” he explained. “It’s the biggest tour we’re ever gonna do so we didn’t want to mess it up.”
The bassist revealed that the band has “some really big things” planned for the tour.
“We have so many surprises…we have some songs we’re gonna play that nobody’s ever heard us play live before. And couple of covers that I think will be interesting to people.
“We’re gonna play stuff from both albums and a lot more from the new album than we ever played before,” he continued. “On top of that we might play a medley of old songs. It’ll be the biggest Fall Out Boy show anybody’s ever seen, that’s for sure.”
As previously reported, Fall Out Boy are giving 19 unsigned bands the chance to support them in their hometowns during the tour.
Wentz explained that Blink 182 gave Fall Out Boy a similar chance when they were just starting out.
“We wanted to give someone else that same opportunity,” he said. “You need to support your local bands before you support these big touring bands that come through town. Support your local band–that’s how anybody ever started caring about us.”
Fall Out Boy will kick off their tour on May 11 in Denver, Colorado, and conclude on July 2 in Anaheim, California, as previously reported.
