This morning, The Amity Affliction announced that bassist Ahren Stringer is leaving their North American tour to address his addiction issues. The band issued the following statement:
“NORTH AMERICA TOUR UPDATE
In what is the most heartbreaking news, we have to tell you that Ahren won’t be joining us on the remainder of our North American tour dates. Tim Beken, who many of you will know from True North, will join us for all upcoming shows until Ahren returns. This decision is in the best interest of Ahren’s mental health and well-being. He is returning to Australia to address his struggle with addiction and get the support he needs. This tour has been our best US tour ever, and we look forward to seeing you on the road. Please feel free to bring signs of support for Ahren that we can send to him at home, now more than ever he needs as much support as we can possibly give him. Thank you for understanding and please respect Ahren’s privacy as well as ours, this is a heartbreaking matter that we will be working through internally as we look forward to his recovery and return.”
Shortly after the announcement, Stringer responded on Instagram, expressing his surprise and disappointment:
“I was booted from the tour with no warning whatsoever I did absolutely nothing wrong but I wish you guys all the best in the future.”
In an effort to clarify the situation, Joel Birch, the band’s lead singer, posted on Instagram, emphasising that the decision was made with Stringer’s health in mind:
“I can’t wait to have you back. I’m crushed, but we have made the right move for our dear friend’s health. This fucking sucks, but we carry on, and we owe a huge thank you to True North for loaning us Tim temporarily. Ahren is not being replaced, ever, everything is temporary. Thank you for understanding.”
Stringer replied to Birch’s post with a message implying this might be the end of his time with the band:
“You had me brother and now it’s gone forever. I hope it was worth it.”
The band has requested privacy and support for Stringer during this difficult time, as they continue their tour with Tim Beken filling in temporarily.
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