As It Is' Patty Walters opens up about struggles with anxiety onstage—UPDATED

August 1, 2018

UPDATE: AUGUST 1, 12:20 P.M. EST

Palaye Royale guitarist Sebastian Danzig further responded to the discussion of anxiety first sparked when he commented on As It Is frontman Patty Walters earlier this week.

After detailing his own struggles, Danzig took to Twitter to offer an apology for his initial statements:

I don’t know how you are feeling & I am sorry that I assumed how I was able to overcome demons in my life it would be as simple for you. Dealing with dark days wasn’t fun what so ever – I found positive outlooks in my life so I do apologize attacking yours. That’s all I can say.

— Sebastian Danzig (@SebastianDanzig) August 1, 2018

We aren’t all the same but we can all get through life together. Sometimes I get negative as fuck and think everyone is out to get me. Life is actually quite simple – look for brighter days and live in the moment of the beauty. x

— Sebastian Danzig (@SebastianDanzig) August 1, 2018

Danzig also revealed this morning that the band have received a lot of backlash for his comments, but he stands by his apology:

Waking up to tweets seeing people telling fans of Palaye to kill themselves solely because of what I said yesterday. Lost for words.

— Sebastian Danzig (@SebastianDanzig) August 1, 2018

I was in the wrong – I owned up to it. https://t.co/fJUaLOhZac

— Sebastian Danzig (@SebastianDanzig) August 1, 2018

ORIGINAL STORY: JULY 31, 9:50 P.M. EST

Patty Walters recently opened up about his struggles with mental illness during a recent As It Is‘ set on the Vans Warped Tour.

The vocalist talked about how he struggles with anxiety, how Warped Tour is one of the few places he’s ever felt at home, and urged fans to keep the conversation around mental illness to keep going

“The thing about things like mental illness, depression and anxiety is that they don’t discriminate,” Walters said. “It happens to regular people, just like you and just like me. And just because I’m living my dream up here doesn’t mean I’m not a human being.”

“So let’s keep the conversation going once Warped Tour is over and make this world a better place,” the singer continued.

You can watch his speech in full below:

pic.twitter.com/hGpMJ1fnHB

— Rowan || warped today (@wonderlessphan) July 31, 2018

This isn’t a new subject for the British pop-punk band. As It Is’ upcoming studio album, The Great Depression, aims to shine a light on mental illness.

“This record started … as an exploration of the question ‘Do we as a society have a fetish for mental illness?” describes Walters. “Do we romanticize or glorify a sickness? It was important for me to do some soul searching around that question. Are we part of a scene that actually does more damage than good in terms of the way we talk about these issues?”

The band have discussed the issue on the first two singles from the album, “The Wounded World” and “The Stigma (Boys Don’t Cry)”, but Walters also decided to discuss the matter onstage after Palaye Royale‘s guitarist Sebastian Danzig took to Twitter to “call out” the vocalist.

“Some singer complained about getting on stage everyday,” Danzig wrote. “I get it anxiety is what people deal with everyday but there are so many people that would kill to be in your position.”

Heard the most ridiculous thing today. Some singer complained about getting on stage everyday. I get it anxiety is what people deal with everyday but there are so many people that would kill to be in your position. You get to play “your” music to a crowd everyday. Suck it up..

— Sebastian Danzig (@SebastianDanzig) July 31, 2018

Some kid in the crowd will bust their ass and take your spot in less than a year. The new generations are hungrier and if you are too scared about your own demons. Say goodbye to your career. Use those demons to become the best you can. https://t.co/ySzWJ9IuPi

— Sebastian Danzig (@SebastianDanzig) July 31, 2018

After Walters’ speech, Danzig explained he wasn’t attacking people with anxiety and shared some of his own struggles.

I had to check myself into a hospital for having panic attacks on a tour. I learned to deal with my anxiety and re-adjusted my surroundings to make sure I was okay. Life isn’t figured out for you, you figure it out for yourself.

— Sebastian Danzig (@SebastianDanzig) July 31, 2018

So for all the people saying I’m attacking individuals with anxiety. Fuck right off. I figured myself out in a few days of Re-evaluating my well being. Yes, I had a few people really help but now I just don’t go down that path of making anyone but myself happy. https://t.co/SLxxOfTb5d

— Sebastian Danzig (@SebastianDanzig) July 31, 2018

As It Is and Palaye Royale will be on the Owly.fm stage for the final dates of the Vans Warped Tour. Check out the list of remaining cities and dates below.

08/02 – Jacksonville, FL @ The Old Cypress Lot
08/03 – Orlando, FL @ Tinker Field
08/04 – Tampa, FL @ MidFlorida Ampitheater
08/05 – West Palm Beach, FL @ Coral Sky Ampitheatre

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental illness, there is help to be found. Please consider these online resources and talk to your regular doctor about your symptoms: