Webelos Strong

We all know hardcore bands are tough as nails but this story takes the cake or at least the pink frosting demo. 1980s hardcore legends The Webelos whose trademark is to play shows in torn and tattered boy scout uniforms have reunited to support the 30th anniversary of their breakthrough album 'Where Eagle Scouts Dare'. The Webelos consist of original front man Dave Decadence on vocals and three kids in their late teens on guitar, bass, and drums, respectively. Dave has repeatedly denied rumors that the new bandmates are his three sons, Mike, Robbie, and Chip despite the striking resemblance. "They are session musicians and fans of the band who just happen to be teenagers," he told The People's Fanzine writer Donny Oswald.   

 At a recent Webelos show in Detroit at The Annex, local scouts Troop 182 crashed the pit in pristine uniforms and mixed it up with the band's fans in their torn scout garb. Oswald who was covering the show for his fanzine described the scene as a "sea of blue and yellow," referring to the blue scout uniforms and yellow neck kerchiefs. "It was impossible to tell the Troop 182 members from the real punks," he added. Both punks and scouts alike were torn and tattered and created an unlikely solidarity.  

 During the anthemic 'Den Motherfucker,' Dave held the microphone out to some of the blue shirts and got a Boston cream pie in the face from Troop 182 leader Mitch McConnell. Mitch's uniform was impeccable and hair perfect, which led authorities to believe he had entered the pit late in the show. Bits of frosting shrapnel toppled the bass player and he was visibly shaken up by the ordeal.

 McConnell told reporters he likened a tattered scout uniform to desecration of Old Glory and confessed sneaking in the Boston creme pie in order to make a political statement. Decadence has not pressed charges and has laughed off the pie incident as the cost of doing business. "A little frosting never killed anyone," he told a group of five teenage fans out by the band's Honda Element. "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger," Dave added.

 "You had to be there to see it happen," wrote Oswald. "He got a loaded Boston cream pie right in the face and kept singing. It was amazing he was still standing, never mind singing, after receiving such a blow. It was a hardcore legend living up to his name." 

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