Soundwave Loses Two Internationals Off Bill

US hardcore/metalcore mainstays Evergreen Terrace have been forced to pull out of the imminent Soundwave Festival tour after their drummer, Brad Moxey, severely injured himself at work in his day-job capacity as a contractor, while the arrival of a newborn has seen Rival Sons also withdraw.

Festival organiser AJ Maddah tweeted of Evergreen Terrace's situation yesterday evening, "Evergreen Terrace's drummer has fallen [off] a ladder and sustained serious injuries. They have cancelled all shows incl #SW15."

According to a GoFundMe page consequently set up to aid with Moxey's medical costs — "he's uninsured with a baby on the way," Evergreen Terrace explained in a heartfelt plea for assistance — his wife received a call on 6 February while Moxey was at work to inform her that he had fallen 25 feet (about 7.6 metres) "off a ladder onto a brick sidewalk while working on a house".

The fall knocked Moxey unconscious for reportedly more than 20 minutes, and was (understandably) disoriented when he woke; doctors later performed a four-hour surgery on the drummer's elbow, which "was shattered into so many pieces they weren't sure the extent of his injury".

However, although Moxey is starting to show the first signs of improvement, his wife writes that it is expected to be several months before he is able to return to work either as a contractor or professional percussionist.

"Brad is doing good," she wrote on the GoFundMe page. "He was released from the hospital after a four-day stay and in pain still, which is expected. He has headaches from his fall and some trouble remembering.

"He will start months of physical therapy to be able to eventually return to work and return to his passion of 20 years, playing drums."

Rival Sons' withdrawal, however, is a much less grim affair, unless you're dead inside; the band issued a statement explaining that, as a result of the birth, "we've found that taking our brother away from his wife and newborn so soon ultimately defies our personal ethics as a band".

"We can assure you that it is our utmost desire to get Down Under to give you what you have so patiently waited for," Rival Sons said. "We wholeheartedly beg your understanding and forgiveness on this matter."

You can read Rival Sons' full statement here.

Despite the loss of two international acts in as many days, Maddah remains unflappable in his efforts to take it all in stride, immediately turning his attentions to the next big announcement, which, if nothing else, promises to certainly bring a smile to the faces of Smashing Pumpkins fans.

Soundwave 2015 kicks off next weekend in Adelaide and Melbourne. See our Festivals hub for more information.