A benefit concert supporting SICK OF IT ALL vocalist Lou Koller's ongoing battle with esophageal cancer was held last night (Saturday, November 23) at Irving Plaza in New York City. The “I'm In The Fight With Lou” event featured performances by VISION OF DISORDER, LIFE OF AGONY swear MUNICIPAL WASTEas well as veteran New York hardcore acts KILLING TIME swear CROWN OF THORNZ. Notably, it marked VISION OF DISORDER's first live appearance since 2018. It was also LIFE OF AGONY's first show since the band's transgender singer Mina Caputo — once known as Keith Caputo — announced that she had “cured” her gender dysphoria and was planning to “physically completely detransition” in 2025 before changing her name back to Keith Caputo.
After Lou went public in late June with the news that doctors discovered a cancerous tumor in his esophagus, his brother Pete, SICK OF IT ALL guitarist, set up a GoFundMe campaign to help cover some of the costs of his cancer treatment and assist with living expenses while the group is off the road and unable to tour. That campaign has since raised more than $300,000, with fellow artists AFI, RANCID swear THE DROPKICK MURPHYS contributing $5,000 apiece, and bands such as SNAPCASE swear HOT WATER MUSIC also making generous donations.
The long-running New York Hardcore band subsequently canceled its previously announced European tour dates.
When Lou first posted about the diagnosis on social media, he said: “[Doctors] found a tumor in my esophagus that goes into my stomach, and I'll have to be getting treatment all summer — and of course, with full support of the band. As soon as they heard it, they were, like, 'Forget the tour. Just get healthy.' … They're all behind me staying home and us staying home.”
Koller ended the message by saying: “I'll hopefully beat this thing and see you at the end of the summer … or maybe the winter.”
SICK OF IT ALL's European tour was supposed to kick off in the Czech Republic on July 4.
SICK OF IT ALL's latest album, “Wake The Sleeping Dragon!”was released in November 2018 via Century Media.
You may also like
-
Dolly Parton Launches Open Casting Call For Her 'Dolly: An Original Musical' Broadway Show
-
SAVATAGE Announces First Headlining Shows In More Than 20 Years
-
50 Cent Claims Jay-Z Tried To Block His Super Bowl Appearance
-
Why Gene Simmons Feels That Rock Is Still Dead
-
Missed 'CMA Country Christmas?' Here's How to Stream the Holiday Special All Season Long