Bowling For Soup have announced that drummer Gary Wiseman has dropped out of the band’s UK tour after an ‘emotional and scary week’ with a mystery illness.
Frontman Jaret Reddick announced Gary had flown home to be with his family and get treatment from his doctor after becoming unwell while in the UK.
He revealed on Twitter that on Tuesday, ‘just before doors opened’ for the band’s show in Swansea, Wales, Gary had had what they initially believed was a ‘severe panic attack’.
Gary was seen by medics on site and his total signs were monitored, before the rest fo the band were told to go on and do an ‘acoustic thing’.
The statement continued: ‘Just before we took the stage, it was suggested that Gary go to the hospital.
‘Nine hours later, he saw a doctor and they found nothing to be wrong. A heart attack was ruled out and blood work looked fine.
‘Gary spent that day, an off day, in a hotel room not being able to sleep, eat or quench his thirst.
‘On Thursday, in Bexhill, he was still not better and the call was made to send him home so he can seek care from his own physicians and be with his family in his own surroundings.’
Jaret added that the upcoming shows will also be acoustic, with members of other bands occasionally stepping in.
The statement concluded: ‘It has been a very emotional and scary time for all of us. We are family. We are brothers. And that comes first.
‘As I type this, Gary and our tour manager, Dave, are on a plane home. We are planning a show for tonight and tomorrow that people will not soon forget. Everyone will leave happy. We will do this all for Gary!’
Bowling For Soup, an American pop-punk band best known for singles including Girl All The Bad Guys Want, Almost and High School Never Ends, was formed in Texas in 1994 and are due to tour the UK until May 30 following the release of their 11th album, Pop Drunk Snot Bread.
