Since 2009, American metalcore band Of Mice & Men have made quite the impact on the alternative music scene, not least of all through their influence on young fans.
On December 30th, 2016, rough vocalist Austin Carlile announced his departure from the band on Twitter, citing his life in a band as taking too much of a toll on his Marfan’s syndrome: a condition which effects the body’s connective tissues, which can affect the entire body, Carlile himself citing having had multiple surgeries. He has collapsed multiple times and worn leg braces and crutches onstage due to the illness and has talked about how performing damages his health.
My heart is heavy… I never thought I would be writing this… Wanted to leave this announcement in the mess that is 2016… pic.twitter.com/T02QIt2hUp
— Austin Carlile (@austincarlile) December 30, 2016
With a musical career spanning across a decade, having self-released an album with Call It Even in 2006 to three studio albums with Of Mice & Men and world tours supporting names such as Slipknot and Marilyn Manson, Carlile can call himself proud to have accomplished what he has with his disability and even more so to have brought awareness to such a little-known syndrome to such a wide fanbase.
FYI you don’t “get better” w/ Marfans. You GET BY. I’ve had foot, ear, rib, head, hip, back, & heart surgeries just so I can function/live.
— Austin Carlile (@austincarlile) November 29, 2016
The band are associated with the ’emo’ scene in music due to how their music expresses raw emotion which many of their fans can identify with, to the point where they are seen as heroes. Perhaps their most notable song is Second & Sebring, written about Carlile’s mother’s death due to Marfan’s syndrome.
@austincarlile I love you so much and you will always be my hero. I just… stay strong, hero. ?
— sam is okay. ? (@weare_br0ken) December 30, 2016
Music is not just sounds – there is passion and dedication is what create a powerful bond between artist and fan. Carlile is a supreme example of this dedication, as he has continued to live the life he loves despite his illness. We wish him all the best in the future, and thank him for what he has succeeded in doing so far.
