Blue October Cancels Club Tour as Frontman Justin Furstenfeld Is Hospitalized

Mon., Oct. 26 2009 @ 11:17AM

Chris Gray

Blue October's homecoming at the sold-out Verizon Wireless Theater, July 2009

Live Daily reported Friday that former Houston alt-rockers Blue October have canceled a club tour that was scheduled to start Thursday in Columbia, S.C., because front man Justin Furstenfeld has been hospitalized for "an extreme mental anxiety attack," according to a press release from the band's management.

Ironically, this month-long outing, the "Pick Up the Phone" tour featuring Atlanta rapper B.o.B. on board as opening act, was intended to raise money and awareness for suicide-prevention services and mental health issues. Furstenfeld has addressed his psychological struggles in several Blue October songs, such as 2006 hit single "Hate Me."

"Mental Health diseases are unpredictable," the front man said in a prepared statement. "An on the eve of this tour in support of a cause that means the world to me, I am in need of time to heal from a setback in my own personal life, which is severe enough for me to seek hospitalization. I hope that my action to seek the strength and safety of treatment will inspire others that are suffering to do the same."

No Houston date was listed on the Pick Up the Phone tour, which was scheduled to conclude with a two-night stand at Stubb's in Austin November 20 and 21. Blue October sold out Verizon Wireless Theater this past July, supporting its latest album, this year's Approaching Normal. Rocks Off may not be the band's biggest fan, but that hardly matters at times like these, and we wish Furstenfeld a speedy recovery.