Mastodon temporarily a trio, Deftones' Chi Cheng improving

November 11, 2008

by Black Bubblegum

Mastodon‘s Bill Kelliher

If you’re in Europe and are wondering why Mastodon is looking a little light lately…

Bill Kelliher, guitarist with MASTODON, has been hospitalized in London as of Nov.3, during the band’s current European Unholy Alliance Chapter 3 package tour. Doctors will continue to monitor his condition which is improving at press time.

At the moment, Mastodon has decided to continue on the tour as a trio. Doctors and Bill are hopeful that he will rejoin his bandmates in time for their headlining tour of Europe which begins Nov 30, in Utrecht, Holland and will end on Dec 7, at the All Tomorrow’s Parties Festival in Somerset, England. More details to follow as they develop.

Get well soon Bill… whatever the problem is. Affected tour dates and a video of Mastodon the TRIO are available below. That ATP festival in Somerset that they referenced above is the one curated by Mike Patton and the Melvins.

Mastodon recently announced the release of their new album Crack The Skye, due in early 2009 and produced by Brendan O’Brien.

In related metal-band-members-in-the-hospital news, Chi Cheng of the Deftones is showing signs of improvement after his car accident:

“Chi is showing definite signs of improvement. His father expects when he fully awakes, they’ll have to sedate him (again) so he doesn’t start pulling out the tubes and wires from his body.”

– Chino [Moreno, vocals for Deftones]

Chi’s mother Jeanne also made a statement

“Again you all are so very much appreciated. God has his hand on our son, please continue to lift him in prayer. For today please forgive someone who has wronged you or wronged yours. Not forgiving is like taking poison and expecting the other person to die. Please continue to stay buckled, show love and spread kindness throughout the day to those around you”.

-Jeanne

ex-Deftones collaborator Jonah Matranga is known for covering Deftones songs in his solo sets. You can catch him tonight (11/11) at the Gershwin Hotel in NYC. Mastodon dates and video below…

MASTODON the THREE PIECE performing “Cycle of The Cysquatch” Live @ Heineken Music Hall, Nov 7th

MASTODON – 2009/09 TOUR DATES
11/12/2008 BEL, Antwerp Lotto Arena*
11/14/2008 ITA, Milan Palasharp*
11/16/2008 AUT, Vienna Gasometer*
11/17/2008 CZH, Prague Tesla Arena*
11/18/2008 GER, Munich Zenith*
11/19/2008 GER, Berlin Columbia Hallen*
11/21/2008 DEN, Copenhagen Valby Hallen*
11/22/2008 SWE, Gothenburg Lisebergshallen*
11/23/2008 SWE, Stockholm Annex*
11/24/2008 NOR, Oslo Spektrum*
11/26/2008 FIN, Tampere Old Ice Hall*
11/27/2008 FIN, Helsinki Old Ice Hall*
11/30/2008 HOL, Utrecht Tivoli**
12/02/2008 IRE, Cork Savoy**
12/03/2008 IRE, Dublin Vicar St headline show**
12/04/2008 IRE, Belfast Spring & Airbrake headline show**
12/06/2008 All Tomorrow’s Parties Festival – Resort Minehead, Somerset, UK***
12/07/2008 All Tomorrow’s Parties Festival – Resort Minehead, Somerset, UK***
06/14/2009 Helsinki, FIN – Hartwall Arena^
06/15/2009 Helsinki, FIN – Hartwall Arena^
06/17/2009 Oslo, NOR – Spektrum^
06/22/2009 Milan, ITA – Datch Forum^
06/24/2009 Rome, ITA – Palalottomatica^
07/13/2009 Madrid, SPN – Palacio de Deportes^
07/14/2009 Madrid, SPN – Palacio de Deportes^
07/16/2009 Zurich, SWI – Hallenstadion^
07/20/2009 Copenhagen, DEN – Copenhagen Forum^
07/22/2009 Copenhagen, DEN – Copenhagen Forum^
07/23/2009 Copenhagen, DEN – Copenhagen Forum^
07/27/2009 Copenhagen, DEN – Copenhagen Forum^