Punk rock act Pennywise [ tickets ] has rescheduled a Midwest tour that had been canceled in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. The tour is now scheduled to kick off on Jan. 16 in Columbus, Ohio.

Since the Sept. 11 attacks, the socio-political band has come under fire for the song "F--- Authority" from its latest album, "Land of the Free" (Epitaph). That song, along with 100 others, was included in a group of songs reportedly banned by several radio station owners after Sept. 11. On its official website, the band responded to rumors that it had asked Los Angeles radio station KROQ to pull the song:

First of all, KROQ pulled the song because they were getting complaints. People were saying they liked the song but the topic seemed a little inappropriate for the time being, and we agree. The song was written about police corruption and abuse of authority and we stand by that message 150 percent.

But not all cops are bad people, especially those who lost their lives trying to save others at the World Trade Center on Sept. 11. Do you think the friends and family of those victims wanted to hear 'F--- Authority' during this time of grief and mourning? It was just in bad taste to be playing the song at this particular time--just like the other 100 or so songs pulled from the radio stations nationwide.

Pennywise, who performed as part of the Warped Tour this summer, went on to say that radio play is "not high on our list of priorities."

The band recently added one new show, Nov. 17 in San Diego with Face to Face, No Use for a Name, Guttermouth and the Line.

"Land of the Free" was released earlier this year on Epitaph Records.