Mike IX Williams, front man for Eyehategod, joined his band and gave his first performance since his liver transplant in late 2016. A fan at First Unitarian Church in Philadelphia, PA captured the performance on Saturday (April 15th), this performance was the second the band played of three they have booked for this weekend.
The band has been a sludge metal staple since 1988. Hailing from New Orleans Eyehategod is hugely fundamental part of the sludgemetal scene in the south, a movement heavily influenced by bands like Black Sabbath and Black flag. Jimmy Bower (guitarist) and Joe LaCaze (drummer) brought the group together after seeking out Mike, lead guitarist Brain Patton, and Bassist Steve Dale. In 1992 they debut the first album In the Name of Suffering followed by 1993s Take As Needed for Pain which quickly drew attention to their style developing a solid fan base. Unfortunately the group to a break undisclosed reasons leaving fans waiting for a reunion that wouldn’t come until 1996. The group would release Dopesick that year just to separate for another 2 years after which they unexpectedly released Off Fellows Rest. Ever since the band has been steadily releasing albums to considerable praise, continuing to generate a staple sound for unique genre.
Mike revealed that he would need liver transplant in early December and under went the surgery the same month. A YouCaring page was created to help offset the extremely high medical cost that come with the procedure. Although the surgery has been successful and is now behind the singer he is still accepting donation and actively communicated that in a recently released statement. He also to the moment to thank everyone from his doctors to his fans.
Hey folks! Finally! This an update that’s totally loooong overdue, people,.. I apologize for the tardiness but I just started an entirely NEW beginning of an existence previously destined to be cut short by the ravages of a hard life lived..
I’m back mother f***ers..!! I feel pretty amazing, although I have a very long way to go as far as being one thousand percent fully healed, but my doctors are completely stoked at my progress so far. This miracle of the modern medical process has literally bought me a second chance at living!
Now on to the real stars of the show: YOU! My family, friends & fans; you truly stole my heart and made me aware that LOVE really does exist in this current climate of hatred because of someone’s skin color, beliefs or personal identity, you people came to the rescue like nobody’s business & we love you! To be honest,…we still need you!
Of major ultra special note is the New Orleans #IXLivesIXLives Mike IX benefit gigs.
I was unable to attend any of the shows because of doctors orders, but word is that the entire weekend was the ultimate example of mass friendship, hope & care for one another in a time of need. Many many thanks to EVERYBODY involved, me & my beautiful rock star of a wife Michelle thank you from the bottoms of our filthy hearts! We were & still are, over-freaking-whelmed at the outpouring of support from all the wonderful humans out in this world, you maniacs have completely outdone yourselves.
I mean obviously there is NO way to list you all individually so let’s just say “You know who you are” And as scatterbrained as I am, I have not forgotten to thank everyone at the Obsessed benefit in MD and the benefit in L.A…
Ok I’ll wrap this up by stating that the battle rages on at the front lines & we’re counting on everyone to keep spreading the word about this You Caring site due to the sad fact that we are forever in debt & in need of help & donations for the aftermath.
To quote an oft-repeated cliche; “Not out of the woods yet”, we are still in dire need of payments on prescription medicines, cardiac rehab, physical therapy, transportation, doctors visits, lab work & plain ol’ past due hospital bills. You are all Southern Nihilism Front soljas. We live to fight another day & to damage more minds and corrupt the bastard system we didn’t choose… EYEHATEGOD will return to the stage in 2017 to incite the class war..!
– Mike IX
#IXLivesIXLives
#youcaringgives
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