The pummeling force behind bands like Converge, Mutoid Man and All Pigs Must Die, Ben Koller suffered a huge setback in his drumming career when, due to a "freak accident," he broke an elbow on Wednesday, December 12th. The injury required immediate surgery, and with Koller unable to tour or play shows and thereby bring in income while he rehabs, the drummer and his wife and children are faced with growing medical costs.
To help out, the "Mutoid Family" (band members Stephen Brodsky and Nick Cageo round out the trio) set up a GoFundMe with a goal of raising $25,000 on Koller's behalf. The description outlines the incident, remarking that it will be "a long road before he is able to be behind the kit again." As of press time, just over $20,000 has been raised and the campaign has been shared over 2,000 times on social media with well wishes from fans all over the world pouring in along with donations. "Ben has brought us all so much joy," says one contributor, "The least we can do is help take care of him."
Mutoid Man have also confirmed via Facebook they will go on with their upcoming European tour alongside Mastodon and Kvelertak, with former Trap Them drummer Chris Maggio filling in for Koller.
Mutoid Man tour dates:
01/14 - Belfast, IRE – Ulster Hall
01/15 - Dublin, IRE – Olympia
01/17 - Southampton, UK – Guildhall
01/18 - Newcastle, UK – O2 Academy
01/19 - Glasgow, UK – Academy
01/21 - Leeds, UK – O2 Academy
01/22 - Birmingham, UK – O2 Academy
01/24 - Norwich, UK – UEA
01/25 - London, UK – O2 Academy Brixton
01/26 - Bristol, UK – O2 Academy
01/28 - Luxembourg, LUX – Rockhal Box
01/30 - Wiesbaden, GER – Schlachthof
01/31 - Hamburg, GER – Docks
02/02 - Copenhagen, DEN – Aarhus Train
02/03 - Oslo, NOR – Spektrum
02/04 - Stockholm, SWE – Munchen Brewery
02/06 - Hannover, GER – Capitol
02/07 - Oberhausen, GER – Turbinenhalle
02/09 - Brussels, BEL – AB
02/10 - Tilburg, NET – 013
02/12 - Zurich, SWI – Komplex
02/13 - Paris, FRA – Casino de Paris
02/15 - Barcelona, SPA – Razzmatazz 1
02/16 - Madrid, SPA – La Riviera
02/17 - Lisbon, POR – Sala Tejo
