Brendan Lukens will not join next Modern Baseball tour, bravely shares statement on mental health

January 25, 2017

Modern Baseball’s Brendan Lukens has announced that he will not be joining the band on their upcoming Europe and U.K. tour.

In a statement on the band's Facebook page, Lukens bravely shares his mental health struggles, stating “This was an incredibly hard decision for me, and it was even harder confronting myself and the band about how I am feeling. Still, I know this is what I need right now. I can never thank MOBO and our crew enough for taking on the roles they have to support me. I love y'all very much.”

Lukens explains that he needs time at home to focus on his mental and physical health, saying that he has faith in himself and in anyone else struggling to understand and cope with their own mental illness. “Mental illness is very serious and should never be taken lightly. It's a long journey to understanding and coping with your illness but I have so much faith in y'all, and myself.”

He emphasizes that the band will continue on with the tour “thanks to help from mega friends Thins Lips, Superweaks and all the MOBO crew.”

And if you are or a friend is struggling with metal health, you are not alone. Organizations like the Buddy Project and Hope For The Day offer long lists of those who are willing to listen.

Read his statement in full below:

Hello fam – Bren here,

I have some unexpected news. I will not be joining Modern Baseball on the upcoming Europe / UK tour. I am okay — but I need this time at home to focus on my mental and physical health. The band will continue on with the tour thanks to help from mega friends Thins Lips, Superweaks and all the MOBO crew. This was an incredibly hard decision for me, and it was even harder confronting myself and the band about how I am feeling. Still, I know this is what I need right now. I can never thank MOBO and our crew enough for taking on the roles they have to support me.

I love y'all very much.

Mental illness is very serious and should never be taken lightly. It's a long journey to understanding and coping with your illness but I have so much faith in y'all, and myself. If you or a friend ever feels lonely, depressed, sad, confused, whatever here are some crisis hotlines you can call. Again, I love y'all very much — talk soon ��

More US & International Hotlines @ www.buddy-project.org/hotlines/

Or google search “crisis hotlines”

Their European and U.K. tour dates are as follows:
Jan 26 Escape B Paris, France
Jan 27 Schlachthof Wiesbaden, Germany
Jan 28 Treibhaus Lucerne, Switzerland
Jan 29 Circolo Magnolia Milan, Italy
Jan 30 Ampere Munich, Germany
Feb 01            B72 Vienna, Austria
Feb 02            Cafe V lese Prague, Czech Republic
Feb 03            Lido Berlin, Germany
Feb 04            Vega Copenhagen, Denmark
Feb 05            Skarpnäcks Kulturhus Skarpnäck, Sweden
Feb 07            Hafenklang Hamburg, Germany
Feb 08            Dynamo Eindhoven, Netherlands
Feb 10            Underground Koln, Germany
Feb 11            Botanique Witloof Bar Brussels, Belgium
Feb 12            1865 Southampton, UK
Feb 13            Bierkeller Bristol, United Kingdom
Feb 13            Bierkeller Bristol, United Kingdom
Feb 14            Riverside Newcastle, United Kingdom
Feb 16            SWG3 Glasgow, United Kingdom
Feb 17            Academy 2 Manchester, United Kingdom
Feb 18            02 Forum London, United Kingdom