Skip to content
Riot Fest
Tickets
Search
  • RIOT FEST
    • Tickets
      SEPT. 16–18, 2022
    • Lineup
    • News
    • Photos
    • Lockers
    • Street Team
  • Magazine
  • Upcoming Shows
  • Merch
  • FAQ
  • Newsletter
  • Search
That One Time The Dave Matthews Band Dumped 800 Pounds Of Poop On A Boat Full Of People

That One Time The Dave Matthews Band Dumped 800 Pounds Of Poop On A Boat Full Of People

August 8, 2016 (August 7, 2021) // Riot Fest

Today is the anniversary of one of the shittiest days in Chicago’s history.

A day that will forever leave a stain on the city.

For a city that is used to getting dumped on this one is still pretty crappy. I shit you not, this is a true story.

On the afternoon of Aug. 8, 2004, the bus driver for a Dave Matthews Band tour bus emptied the septic tank over the Chicago River, drenching passengers on a boat tour with 800 pounds of human crap.

As approximately 100 sightseers crossed under the grated Kinzie Street Bridge on the Chicago River enjoyed a scenic architectural tour, the skies opened up and the contents of the Dave Matthews Band’s tour bus toilet crashed into them.

Passengers on the boat “described a downpour of foul-smelling, brownish-yellow slurry that ruined their clothes and made several of them sick.”

After pleading guilty to misdemeanor charges of reckless conduct and water pollution, the bus driver was ordered to pay a $10,000 fine, do 150 hours of community service and serve 18 months of probation.

The Dave Matthews Band was allowed to continue making music.

Happy Anniversary. And remember, don’t drink the water.

The Related Rabbit Hole

Check Out Our Full Schedule of Riot Fest 2021 Late Night Shows Snowstorm Traps Oasis Cover Band, Entire Audience Inside Pub for 3 Days
About The Author
Riot Fest

Punk Rock (& more) Music Fest | I'm sorry we didn't book the exact bands you wanted, in the exact order you wanted, in the exact location you wanted, for free.

Posted in Music NewsTagged Dave Matthews Band, poop, poop bridge

Post navigation

  Previous PostNext Post 
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • TikTok
  • Mail
  • YouTube
  • Facebook
Riot Fest Tickets
Riot Fest Presents Shows
July 7, 2022
Cobra Lounge
Like Pacific + Action / Adventure

Like Pacific + Action / Adventure

Grumpster

Four Stars

Tickets(Opens in new window).
Like Pacific + Action / Adventure
July 10, 2022
X-Ray Arcade
Frank Turner

Frank Turner

SOLD OUT
Frank Turner
July 10, 2022
Concord Music Hall
Frank Turner & The Sleeping Souls

Frank Turner & The Sleeping Souls

The Bronx

Pet Needs

Tickets(Opens in new window).
Frank Turner & The Sleeping Souls
July 11, 2022
X-Ray Arcade
The Bronx

The Bronx

Poison Hand

Avenues

Tickets(Opens in new window).
The Bronx
August 4, 2022
Cobra Lounge
The Velveteers

The Velveteers

Tickets(Opens in new window).
The Velveteers
August 6, 2022
SeatGeek Stadium
Coheed and Cambria

Coheed and Cambria

Alkaline Trio

Mothica

Tickets(Opens in new window).
Coheed and Cambria

MORE SHOWS

Greatest Hits

  • Foundation
  • History
  • Privacy
  • Contact
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • TikTok
  • YouTube
  • Facebook
InstagramTwitterYouTubeTikTokFacebook

Copyright © 2022 Riot Fest Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

Search for:

Send me emails so I don’t have to go to your website to look for shows.

Name
Email me about
Music I like
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Riot Fest "It's Shit" Merch Dump with Shirts, Hoodies, Stickers and More
Riot Brand
This is default text for notification bar
Learn more