11 times a musician needed a sick day and the fill-in was awesome
Everyone needs a day off, even musicians. Whether it be illness, the birth of a child, a family emergency or something else, life happens and sometimes you just can’t make the gig. Luckily for these bands, they had pretty cool options for fill-ins that made for some memorable moments. And luckily for us, there were fans there to capture said incidents via video.
Derek DiScanio of State Champs with Bayside
During Bayside’s fall tour in 2013, frontman Anthony Raneri had to make a trip home for the birth of his daughter, Georgia. Derek DiScanio of State Champs—who were an opening act on the tour—stepped in. In the video above, you can see him performing “Devotion And Desire” with the band at the Intersection in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Jason Butler of letlive., Fever 333 with Every Time I Die
When Every Time I Die frontman Keith Buckley had to leave the band’s tour alongside August Burns Red, Stick To Your Guns and others to be with his ailing wife and newborn daughter in late 2015, the band continued on without him thanks to a couple of friends who jumped in to help. One of those friends was Jason Butler of letlive. and Fever 333.
Derek Grant of Alkaline Trio with Good Charlotte
When former GC drummer Chris Wilson was missing shows because of health issues before eventually leaving the band, Good Charlotte called on Alkaline Trio’s Derek Grant to save the day.
Spencer Chamberlain of Underoath with Taking Back Sunday
During Taking Back Sunday’s 2013 fall tour, the band were forced to cancel a few dates due to the unexpected, early birth of vocalist Adam Lazzara‘s son. Luckily, Underoath vocalist Spencer Chamberlain stepped in (following Underoath’s breakup earlier that year) and the band continued the tour without Lazzara. In this clip, you can see them performing “Liar (It Takes One To Know One)” with Chamberlain at Iron City in Birmingham, Alabama.
Adam Lazzara of Taking Back Sunday with My Chemical Romance
When a show in Florida had to be cancelled because of Gerard Way losing his voice, My Chemical Romance didn’t leave the audience empty-handed. Although they couldn’t play a full set, the rest of the band took the stage to play “I’m Not Okay (I Promise)” with Adam Lazzara on vocals.
Tyler “Telle” Smith of the Word Alive with Underoath
When Underoath frontman Spencer Chamberlain needed to take a day off in Mission, Texas, because he was “puking all day,” the Word Alive’s Telle Smith was there to keep the show going. In this video, you can see him performing “In Regards To Myself” with the band.
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Anthony Raneri of Bayside with New Found Glory
Shortly before the start of New Found Glory’s 2010 tour, guitarist Chad Gilbert visited his doctor for pneumonia. After suspicious cells were discovered in his thyroid, he underwent surgery to have it removed. He ended up being fine, but it caused him to miss the first three dates of the new tour. His longtime friend Anthony Raneri took a break from fronting Bayside to fill in for him.
Aaron Gillespie of Underoath with All Time Low
Aaron Gillespie drummed with All Time Low on Warped Tour 2009. He joined them onstage multiple times that summer.
Jesse Barrera (My American Heart) with Pierce The Veil
Shortly before Warped Tour in 2015, Pierce The Veil guitarist Tony Perry was injured while mountain biking. After a hospital stay treating three broken ribs, a broken sternum, a collapsed lung and a torn shoulder, Perry had to miss the first few dates of the tour. The band enlisted former My American Heart member Jesse Barrera as a fill-in for Warped.
Members of Pierce The Veil, State Champs, the Word Alive with Neck Deep
At the last stop on the Made To Destroy tour, Neck Deep‘s set was filled with appearances from members of Pierce The Veil, State Champs, the Word Alive and more. Frontman Ben Barlow couldn’t be there due to his father’s death, so crew members and friends filled in for a special performance that we’re sure made him proud.
Damon Delapaz of Fenix TX with Blink-182
Way back in 2000, Travis Barker injured his hand before a show in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, during a scuffle outside of a restaurant. He ended up in a cast after a fistfight outside a fast food joint and had to sit out the remainder of the band’s summer tour with Bad Religion and Fenix TX.
Fenix TX guitarist Damon Delapaz took over the drumming duties from Barker for the rest of the shows.
HONORABLE MENTION:
Matt Flyzik (tour manager for All Time Low) for Alex Gaskarth
During their opening slot for Fall Out Boy in 2009 when Alex Gaskarth ran offstage suffering from an alleged panic attack, All Time Low’s then-tour manager, Matt Flyzik, came to the rescue. Performing a cover of Blink-182’s “Dammit,” Flyzik did his best to keep the crowd occupied while Gaskarth recovered prior to returning to the stage.
