Eric Bass, the bassist for the American rock band Shinedown, has announced that he will be taking a step back from the band’s upcoming tour to prioritise his mental health. In an Instagram Reel shared on Friday, July 10, the musician revealed that he had recently experienced a “pretty serious mental health crash,” compelling him to make this difficult decision.
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The band is set to begin their Dance Kid Dance Act II World Tour, which kicks off on Saturday, July 11, but Bass will not be joining his bandmates at the start of this tour. Speaking candidly in the video, the 51-year-old musician explained, “I don’t really feel it’s the wise thing for me to do to go out on tour right now.” He expressed his internal conflict over whether to publicly announce his absence or simply return when he felt ready, ultimately deciding that transparency was essential, particularly as he and the band have long championed mental health awareness.
Bass elaborated on his circumstances, noting that he is currently undergoing talk therapy as well as Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) at the Medical University of South Carolina. TMS is a treatment that utilises magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain and is commonly used to alleviate symptoms of major depression, as well as to assist individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), according to the Mayo Clinic.
To ensure that the band continues its performance schedule during his absence, Bass announced that he would be temporarily replaced by Josh Sturm from the band Kairos, alongside Zack Mack. Although Bass admitted he does not have a definitive timeline for his return, he expressed hope that he would be back in action “sooner rather than later.” “I’m very blessed to be able to take a break like this,” he stated. “I know a lot of people can’t. And I would encourage anyone who maybe is a business owner out there, if you’ve got someone in your company who’s having issues like this, to give them some time if they need it.”
In an empowering message to fans, Bass urged anyone struggling with mental health challenges to reach out for support. Reflecting on his own experience, he shared, “I did something I’d never done before in my 51 years on earth: I reached out to someone and I said, ‘I can’t do this on my own, and I need help.’” He recognised that asking for help is not easy but emphasised its critical importance on the journey toward healing.
This announcement comes in the wake of Shinedown’s recent decision to withdraw from the Rock the Country festival tour, which was being headlined by Kid Rock. In a statement shared on social media, the band revealed they felt guided by a purpose to unite audiences through music, rather than contribute to division. They acknowledged that their choice might spark differing opinions but maintained that participation in the festival was not aligned with their values.
Shinedown’s Dance Kid Dance Act II World Tour is set to commence at the Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, before concluding on September 10, after which the band plans to embark on international tours.
Eric Bass’s decision to prioritise his mental health serves as a poignant reminder of the challenges many individuals face, particularly within the entertainment industry. His openness about his struggles and the importance of seeking help fosters a supportive dialogue around mental health issues. As fans await the band’s performances, they are also given a moment to reflect on the significance of prioritising well-being in their own lives.