[tweetmeme]Reunited British post-punk favorites Modern English have been forced to cancel the 15 remaining dates of their North American tour after guitarist Gary McDowell suffered a medical emergency and underwent surgery in Los Angeles late last week, the band announced today.
The group, touring in support of the just-released Take Me to the Trees, had performed multiple shows at South By Southwest, followed by headlining dates in Tucson, Ariz., Phoenix, San Diego and Los Angeles before McDowell fell ill. He underwent surgery Friday, and will remain hospitalized for several days.
In a statement, the band added:
“All of us, Gary especially, are very sorry to have to announce the sudden cancellation of our Take Me To The Trees U.S. and Canadian dates. This is due to a serious illness and urgent surgery required for our guitarist Gary. Obviously we are very upset and disappointed to have to come to this decision, but without Gary we can’t play any concerts. After recovering from surgery, Gary will be flown home to England for further treatment.”
The band says it hopes to rescheduled the shows “when Gary fully recovers.” For now, all tickets will be refunded via point of purchase.
Modern English’s new album features original members Robbie Grey, Mick Conroy, Gary McDowell and Stephen Walker. The original lineup, save for drummer Richard Brown, first reunited in 2010, around the time Grey released Soundtrack, which he’d recorded a few years earlier with a different lineup.
Below, see the 15 canceled Modern English dates.
Modern English tour dates:
March 27: Star Theatre, Portland, OR
March 28: Neumos, Seattle, WA
March 30: Urban Lounge, Salt Lake City, UT
March 31: Larimer Lounge, Denver, CO
April 2: Recordbar, Kansas City, MO
April 3: Off BroadwaySt. Louis, MO
April 5: Turf Club, St. Paul, MN
April 6: Empty Bottle, Chicago, IL
April 7: The Loving Touch, Ferndale, MI
April 8: Rex Theatre, Pittsburgh, PA
April 10: Rock N Roll Hotel, Washington, D.C.
April 11: Johnny Brenda’s, Philadelphia, PA
April 13: Brighton Music Hall, Boston, MA
April 14: Rough Trade, Brooklyn, NY
April 16: Adelaide Hall, Toronto, ON
