Internal Bleeding Vow to Tour This Spring Following Drummer Bill Tolley’s Death
There are some instances when a band choosing to continue on after a key member’s death seems unthinkable.
And then there are times when someone in the band says the following to one of his bandmates just hours before dying in a freak accident, as Internal Bleeding drummer Bill Tolley did to guitarist Christopher Pervelis before he lost his life in the line of duty for the FDNY last week:
“You’ve got to carry on. You’ve got to make the band as big as it can be. If I can’t do it, somebody else has to do it.”
Tolley was referring to his work schedule possibly interfering with Internal Bleeding’s commitment to tour with Vader this spring and not, of course, his own imminent death. Still, this much is clear: Tolley would’ve wanted the band to continue on without him no matter what. No question.
Tolley will get his wish. In a Twitter exchange yesterday evening, whoever controls the band’s account confirmed to me that the tour will go on as planned, although a fill-in drummer hasn’t yet been named out of respect to Tolley, and to give his family, friends and band members time to process his death:
@VinceNeilstein Thx for the posting on my drummer and soulmate Bill Tolley. It means much. The tour goes on. IB goes on – Chris/IB
— INTERNAL BLEEDING (@InternalBLDNG) April 22, 2017
Much appreciated bro. When we announce the fill in drummer, you'll be first to know. Right now, it's all about Billy.
— INTERNAL BLEEDING (@InternalBLDNG) April 23, 2017
This is great news for fans and for the members of Internal Bleeding alike; Tolley wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. We’ll let you know more as soon as we do.
Check out the band’s video for their new song “Final Justice,” which was released this past Friday, below. And beneath that, the upcoming tour dates with Vader.
5/26 Baltimore, MD @ Maryland Death Fest (Vader only)
5/27 Spartanburg, SC @ Ground Zero
5/28 Tampa, FL @ Brass Mug
5/29 Atlanta, GA @ Masquerade
5/30 New Orleans, LA @ Siberia
5/31 Houston, TX @ Acadia
6/1 Dallas, TX @ Curtain Club
6/3 Albuquerque, NM @ Blu Phoenix
6/4 Phoenix, AZ @ Club Red
6/5 Santa Ana, CA @ Malones
6/6 Oakland, CA @ Oakland Metro
6/7 San Diego, CA @ Brick By Brick
6/8 Las Vegas, NV @ Las Vegas Death Fest
6/9 Salt Lake City, UT @ Metro
6/10 Denver, CO @ Bluebird Theatre
6/11 Kansas City, MO @ Riot Room
6/13 Madison, WI @ High Noon Saloon
6/14 Chicago, IL @ Reggies
6/16 New York City, NY @ Webster Music Hall
6/17 San Juan, Puerto Rico @ La Respuesta (Vader only)
