Simple Plan Bass Player David Desrosiers Taking Temporary Break From Band To Treat Depression

Simple Plan will kick off its European tour on Sunday, but for the first time in the band’s history they’ll be performing without bass player David Desrosiers.

In a statement released on social media, Simple revealed that Desrosiers has decided to sit out that leg of the tour so he can take some time off to seek treatment for depression.

“We are sorry to inform you that David will not be able to join us for our upcoming European tour,” reads the message, which the band posted on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, noting that the Desrosiers “has struggled with episodes of depression for a long time now and this situation has sometimes made it difficult for him to deal with the demands of being in a band, touring and playing shows night after night.”

The statement, from Desrosiers’ band mates Chuck Comeau, Sebastien Lefebvre and Jeff Stinco, continues: “It really breaks our hearts to see our friend and band mate go through these difficult times, but we know he will overcome this and be back on stage with us very soon. We can’t wait to welcome him back!”

Meanwhile, the show must go on. “In the meantime, with David’s blessings, all the upcoming European dates will go on as planned. We look forward to some amazing shows and to see all our European fans!”

View this post on Instagram

We are sorry to inform you that David won't be able to join us for our upcoming European tour. You can read a statement from David that explains the situation on his Instagram account @daviddesrosiers As stated in his message, David has struggled with episodes of depression for a long time now and this situation has sometimes made it difficult for him to deal with the demands of being in a band, touring and playing shows night after night. Following his wishes, we've always kept this information private. Today, he feels it's important to share this with all of you for the first time and we fully support his decision. David is our friend first and foremost and the number one priority for all of us right now is his health and well-being. After talking to him this week, we've made the decision together that it was better for David to stay home and focus on his recovery. We know some of you will be disappointed to hear this news and we are extremely sorry. Depression is a serious illness that can affect anyone and David's struggles with this issue have hit close to home and inspired us to help charitable organizations focusing on mental health through the Simple Plan Foundation. We hope that discussing this openly can help some of you who might be dealing with similar issues. It really breaks our hearts to see our friend and band mate go through these difficult times, but we know he will overcome this and be back on stage with us very soon. We can't wait to welcome him back! In the meantime, with David's blessings, all the upcoming European dates will go on as planned. We look forward to some amazing shows and to see all our European fans! Pierre, Chuck, Jeff and Sebastien.

A post shared by Simple Plan (@simpleplan) on May 25, 2017 at 9:01am PDT

It’s unclear whether Desrosiers will return in time for the band’s North American leg of its tour, which begins in Timmons, Ont. on June 27.

Desrosiers himself took to Instagram to explain why he needs to take some time off.

“I am currently fighting a major depression that prevents me from enjoying life and doing the things I like such as playing music,” writes Desrosiers. “Many of our songs as well as our work with the foundation speak of the hope that must be kept in difficult times. I really believe in this message and I assure you that I will be back soon.”

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Hello everyone. It is with regret that I must announce that I will not be able to join the guys on the upcoming European tour. I have battled depression on and off for a long while now but the time has come to explain why there are times when I cannot be with my bandmates playing shows for you. At the moment, I am fighting a major depression that prevents me from enjoying life and doing the things I love such as playing music. Many of our songs, and our work with the Simple Plan Foundation, speak of the hope that must be kept in difficult times. I truly believe in this message and I assure you that I will be back soon! David. Bonjour à tous. C'est avec regret que je dois vous annoncer que je ne pourrai pas me joindre au groupe pour la prochaine tournée européenne. J'ai lutté contre quelques épisodes de dépression pendant longtemps, mais le temps est venu d'expliquer pourquoi il y a des moments où je ne peux pas être avec mes "bandmates" et jouer pour vous. Je combat présentement une dépression majeure qui m'empêche de profiter de la vie et de faire les choses que j'aime tel que de jouer de la musique. Plusieurs de nos chansons ainsi que notre travail avec la fondation parlent de l'espoir qu'il faut garder dans les moments difficiles. Je crois vraiment en ce message et je vous assure que je serai de retour bientôt. David.

A post shared by David Desrosiers (@daviddesrosiers) on May 25, 2017 at 9:01am PDT

This has been the latest setback in a rough year for Simple Plan, which was forced to postpone its tour last year when frontman Pierre Bouvier was placed on vocal rest by doctors after damaging his vocal cords.