DevilDriver’s Dez Fafara Says He Can’t Play Overseas Due to COVID-Related Damage
Though scientists aren’t positive on the exact specifics on what the possible long-term effects of COVID-19 are on the human body, we know that they can be pretty gnarly and affect the heart and lungs in severe ways. Today, in a post on Bloodstock Open Air socials, DevilDriver frontman Dez Fafara told fans that DevilDriver will not be performing at the 2023 edition of the festival because his cardiologist has advised him not to take any flights while monitoring his COVID-19 recovery following an extremely-severe bout with the illnesss.
“Hello Bloodstockers, this is Dez from DevilDriver.
“In 2021, I came down with Covid which left me with heart problems. I had to live downstairs in my house, as I could barely walk more than a few feet without collapsing. I, in fact was saying goodbye to my family at the time and didn’t think I would pull through.
“I took 2022 off and very slowly started to walk one block, then two blocks, and had to fight my way back very hard – it took me 14 months to get to a point where I could perform again on stage.
“My cardiologist (who saved my life) has asked me to not take any long flights this year at all as we monitor the situation. It has been a very long road for myself and my family, but am returning to form. Even on tour [in the U.S.] now with DevilDriver, I must do the show, then go straight to my bunk to rest, as I still have inflammation in my lower heart and it’s that what’s preventing me from taking flights overseas. So it is with the heaviest of hearts that Devildriver must pull down our long awaited Bloodstock performance. I am sorry if this causes any inconvenience and I hope within the next 12-24 months to get the all clear from my doctor to fly and tour overseas.
“I want you all to know it’s thinking about touring, being on stage again, and playing music that’s actually helped me to survive this.
“I love you all please be good to each other and I’m grateful for any prayers you can send our way as they will certainly be well received. We certainly would not be pulling out had health not come into play.
“We sent Bloodstock a mail regarding this a little ago, but due to us being on a tour bus, we have now realized it went to our outbox and had not sent, so that’s where the confusion is with Coal Chamber announcing US shows at that time. We see Bloodstock as extended family to us and feel horrible our mail didn’t get sent.
“Stay blessed, Dez Fafara”.
We at MetalSucks wish Fafara the best and hope for a total recovery. If you’re in the States, you can see Fafara perform with Coal Chamber on their tour with Mudvayne this summer.
7/20 West Palm Beach, FL @iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre
7/21 Tampa, FL @ MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre
7/23 Charlotte, NC @ PNC Music Pavilion
7/25 Bristow, VA @ Jiffy Lube Live
7/26 Scranton, PA @ The Pavilion at Montage Mountain
7/28 Wantagh, NY @ Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater
7/29 Camden, NJ @ Freedom Mortgage Pavilion
7/30 Mansfield, MA @ Xfinity Center
8/1 Syracuse, NY @ St Joseph’s Health Amphitheater at Lakeview
8/2 Burgettstown, PA @ The Pavilion at Star Lake
8/4 Cuyahoga Falls, OH @ Blossom Music Center
8/5 Tinley Park, IL @ Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
8/6 Clarkston, MI @ Pine Knob Music Theatre
8/8 Noblesville, IN @ Ruoff Music Center
8/9 Peoria, IL @ Peoria Civic Center
8/12 Dallas, TX @ Dos Equis Pavilion
8/13 The Woodlands, TX @The Cynthia Woods Pavilion
8/15 Albuquerque, NM @ Isleta Amphitheater
8/16 Phoenix, AZ @Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre
8/17 Irvine, CA @ FivePoint Amphitheatre
8/19 Concord, CA @ Concord Pavillion
8/20 Reno,NV @ Grand Theatre
8/22 Auburn, WA @ White River Amphitheatre
8/23 Ridgefield, WA @ RV Inn Style Resort Amphitheater
8/25 Salt Lake City, UT @USANA Amphitheatre
8/26 Englewood, CO @ Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre
