Viet Cong change name to Preoccupations: 'We apologize to those who were adversely affected by our former band name’

The original name 'really just started out at a band practice, and we just went with it with no ill intention.'

After endless pressure, the band Viet Cong have announced they will henceforth be going by a new name: Preoccupations.

They’ve been planning it for a while, with vitriol over the Vietnam War-referencing name getting so bad that they were forced to cancel a gig last March due to negative reaction to the “offensive” name.

Preoccupations said in a statement:

‘After finishing our latest record and taking some time off, we are excited to announce that we will be performing and recording as "Preoccupations" going forward. We will be previewing new material from a forthcoming record in a series of festivals and shows in North America and Europe in the coming months. We apologize to those who were adversely affected by our former band name. This was never anticipated nor our intent. We are artists and not politicians, we understand that the name reflected pain to some individuals and we are happy to change it and move on and focus on our music. Thanks to all our friends and fans. See you all soon.’

Elaborating on the name change to Pitchfork, frontman Matt Flegel explained the original was down to simple naivety.

Asked if he regretted “glibly” saying in the past that they’d chosen the name because the Viet Cong were badasses in movies, he replied: "We were pretty naive, and pretty ignorant on the subject. We know a lot more now. If we knew what we know now then we would definitely not call the band that.

“I personally didn't put any thought into it. We needed a new band name then. We were just starting off, and we were booking shows. It really just started out at a band practice, and we just went with it with no ill intention.”

Preoccupations play a string of dates across the US, Canada and Europe this summer, including UK dates at London’s Shacklewell Arms and Old Blue Last.