SHINEDOWN bassist Eric Bass has been forced to leave the band’s current tour after recently injuring his back. He is being temporarily replaced by Josh Stern, who previously filled in for guitarist Zach Myers when he had his baby last year.

Stern made his 2019 live debut with SHINEDOWN last night (Wednesday, May 21) at the Midland Theatre in Kansas City, Missouri and he will also perform with the group on Friday (May 24) at Oklahoma’s Rocklahoma festival and on Sunday (May 26) in Dallas, Texas.

SHINEDOWN broke the news of Bass‘s temporary absence from the tour in a video message on Wednesday. Myers said (see below): “If you don’t remember, when I had my baby last year, our friend Josh Stern filled in for us. Unfortunately, Eric had to fly home last night — very uncomfortably, actually… His back is very messed up. He’s actually at the doctor right now, and we’re going to see what the next steps are. We’re very sad he’s not gonna be with us for the next three shows, but we are glad that our friend Josh Stern was very quick on the draw to come out here and fill in.”

Eric addressed his back injury in an Instagram post on Wednesday. He wrote: “What a difference 48 hours makes. From the stage and beast workouts two days ago, to @westashleywellness and #southeasternspineinstitute @sspineinstitite today. Gotta get healthy again. Not sure if 44 is the new 24, or if 44 is the new 84. Check back with me in a week and I’ll let you know.”

SHINEDOWN‘s summer run kicks off June 21 with support from BADFLOWER, DINOSAUR PILE-UP and BROKEN HANDS. SHINEDOWN will also perform at Inkcarceration festival on July 12 in Mansfield, Ohio and Riff Fest on July 13 in Detroit, Michigan.

⚠️ ATTENTION! ⚠️ pic.twitter.com/ugCoggm1eD

— SHINEDOWN (@Shinedown) May 22, 2019

Fonte: Blabbermouth.net