NEED TO KNOW
Breaking Benjamin’s drummer Shaun Foist is stepping back from the band.
In an Instagram post shared on Thursday, Aug. 28, the rock band announced that Foist, 42, would no longer be touring with them due to suffering from autoimmune disorder Hashimoto’s.
“Friends, family, and most importantly, the fans — I’ve battled Hashimoto’s disease since 2017, facing fatigue, leg weakness, stiffness, weight changes, and overall drum playing control issues,” the statement began.
“During the Awaken the Fallen Tour, I was experiencing extreme leg fatigue and complications, making drumming nearly impossible.”
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Foist added that tests ran for his back came back “fine,” “but tests confirmed Hashimoto’s had flared, pushing my thyroid into ‘hyper mode,’ causing weakness and weight loss.” After consulting doctors and speaking with his family, he decided to “step away from the road at this time to focus on healing.”
“Please continue supporting the band and enjoying the shows. I care deeply about our legacy, and I don’t want my health to affect performances. Thank you for all the years of love and support.” He signed off, noting that he “will play drums again.”
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“We are thankful to @shaunwfoist for all the years of playing with us and being a part of the Breaking Benjamin family,” the band captioned their Instagram post.
“The fall tour starts tomorrow and we are welcoming our friend @cassells to the stage,” referring to British metal band Asking Alexandria’s drummer James Cassells, who will be joining Breaking Benjamin. Cassells, 35, said in his own statement that it’s a “huge honor” to be part of the band.
Per the Mayo Clinic, Hashimoto’s disease affects the thyroid gland. The “immune-system cells lead to the death of the thyroid’s hormone-producing cells,” with this disease, which “usually results in a decline in hormone production.”
Breaking Benjamin formed in 1999 in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. and is currently made up of Foist, lead singer and guitarist Benjamin Burnley, lead guitarist Jasen Rauch, rhythm guitarist Keith Wallen and bassist Aaron Bruch.
They are most known for their songs “Polyamorous,” “The Diary of Jane,” “I Will Not Bow” and “Angels Fall.”
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Up next for the band are performances in Austin, Newark, Scranton, Louisville, Seattle, Ontario and other cities. Breaking Benjamin wraps up their string of shows on Oct. 12 at the Choctaw Grand Theater in Durant, Okla.
