Set to play ASU’s Sun Devil Stadium on Nov. 14, SWMRS announced Tuesday that the rest of its 2019 tour dates will be canceled, following a car accident.
In an Instagram post on Oct. 29, the band’s account posted a screenshot of a note that read their statement. Guitarist Max Becker, sound engineer Josh Berl and photographer Natalie Somekh encountered black ice on the road during their drive from Oakland, California to Denver, Colorado which caused them to lose control of their van.
“Thankfully, first responders were able to quickly get them to an incredible team of doctors in the intensive care unit at a hospital in Wyoming, and everyone is going to be OK,” the band’s statement said.
A follow-up post made on Oct. 30 reported that Berl and Somek both recovered and will be home by the weekend.
"Max is still in ICU with his family. Hopefully soon we will get more info. Doctors said he is extremely healthy and strong," the post read.
Since the announcement, fans and musicians like Together Pangea and Maggie Rogers have been sending their love to the California rockers, and many fans have been asking for the hospital’s mailing address, Cole Becker wrote on his Twitter.
“This news is heartbreaking. I’m glad SWMRS is taking time off while Max and the crew recover. I’m sending love and wishing everyone a speedy recovery,” Emily Oxford, a junior nursing major said.
Oxford, a big fan of SWMRS, said she was heartbroken when she discovered the news on Instagram.
SWMRS last visit to Arizona was on April 28 as a part of Big Surf’s Band Splash music festival. They also made a stop at Zia Records. On Oct. 22, ASU’s 365 Community Union released free tickets to this and several other shows on ASU’s mobile app.
ASU 365 Community Union has since updated its website to say the show is canceled and released a statement on its social media platforms.
Free tickets will not be refunded or validated in exchange for another show. Paid tickets, however, are eligible for a refund.
“It’s certainly disappointing, but our thoughts, at a time like this, are for Max and the traveling parties and their health. That’s the most important thing out there,” said Victor Hamburger, the senior director of strategic initiatives for ASU Cultural Affairs, which oversees ASU 365 Community Union.
ASU 365 Community Union does plan on rescheduling the date in 2020 once the band and its crew are recovered and are currently trying to reschedule the opener, tiLLie, Hamburger said.
SWMRS will not be replaced with another act, and no show will be held on Nov. 14 this year.
Closing out the fall series, Pink Sweat$ will perform Nov. 15 and Soccer Mommy on Nov. 16. Free tickets are still available for both shows on the ASU app.
Reach the reporter at swindom@asu.edu and follow @SaraWindom on Twitter.
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