On November 26, Denton, Texas based genre defying experimental noise merchants, Surrounded By Monsters, announced their decision to drop off their current tour with Victory Records artists, The Bunny The Bear citing issues with how the headliner treats its fans.
The band has issued the following statement:
“We, Surrounded By Monsters, regret to inform our fans that we have decided to drop the remaining dates on The Bunny The Bear tour. This is a decision made by Surrounded By Monsters and not anyone else. We are very sorry to those who were planning on coming to see us at the scheduled shows, but we refuse to continue to support a band like The Bunny The Bear.
From the start of this tour The Bunny The Bear has been disrespectful and confrontational to ticket holders by calling people in the audience derogatory remarks, to canceling sets because not enough people were in the audience for them to care. This is not something that we as a band support or endorse and we will not tolerate it any further.
Once again, we are very sorry to those who were coming out to see us on this tour. We hate canceling shows, but under these circumstances we feel it is our only option. It is the fans and their support that make a bands growth and life possible, and by no means should The Bunny The Bear think they have the right to treat people the way they do. No band should EVER put themselves above their fans.”
A Victory Records representative declined comment in response to the news.
Surrounded By Monsters recently wrapped up a full US tour alongside Iwrestledabearonce, Oceano, Vanna, Within the Ruins, and The Plot in You. The band is touring in support of its debut Nuclear Blast Records EP, “Novella”.
“Novella” was produced by Iwrestledabearonce guitarist Steven Bradley and was tracked at Infrasonic Sound as well as Bucket of Truth studios in Los Angeles. Cover art created by artist Rick McDonald.
Offers keyboardist Traci Pason said of the band’s sound:
“That’s my favorite part of it. We don’t really have a genre. We don’t have hooks and we don’t have choruses. The mood is just constantly changing and everyone puts in a piece of what they like that just makes craziness.”
Joining Pason are Mike Batson (lead vocals), John McCoy (guitar), Lee Dudley (guitar), Joe Demerrit (bass) and Chris Hoedebeck (drums).
The band’s latest video “New Blood” can viewed at left.
Music is the universal language, speak it loudly!
Rustyn Rose is a veteran music journalist who owns and operates Metalholic Magazine and Metalholic Radio.