Hardcore pioneers Sick Of It All have recently had to announce the cancelation of their European tour this summer in the unfortunate light of Lou Koller’s recent cancer diagnosis.
Koller explained the cancelation in a video on the band’s Instagram saying: “What’s up everybody, Lou here. As you may or may know, we had to cancel out full European tour this Summer. There’s some rumors going around as to why, and we’re here to set the record straight. But we wanted to wait ’til we got all the information before making an announcement. The reason it is canceled is because they found a tumor in my esophagus that goes into my stomach, and I’ll have to be getting treatment all summer. And of course, full support of the band, as soon as they heard it they were like ‘forget the tour, just get healthy’.”
Lou also adds: “You know we’re not happy about it, seriously. Like I said they’re all behind me staying home, and us staying home. We really feel sorry. I feel sorry, for the fans. All of our crew was banking on you know — we were all gonna have another fun summer together, all the promoters. But everyone who knows has been very supportive and now everybody knows. So that’s the reason. No other reason you heard is the truth. This is the truth. So yea, just thanks for all your support. And hopefully we beat this thing and see you at the end of the summer, or maybe the winter. Take care.”
Lou’s brother (and Sick Of It All guitarist) Pete has also since launched a GoFundMe for the singer, detailing specifically that he’s been diagnosed with adenocarcinoma cancer. Pete explains that “touring is the lifeline for a band like Sick Of It All”, and, “If you could help him it would be greatly appreciated and please share this GoFundMe around.”