"Pull me up on either side, don't leave me standing alone in the light."
A couple of weeks ago, I was just about packed and ready to head to Los Angeles for Moon Block Party to see Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, The Black Angels and of course, my rebel family, when I got word the night before my departure that drummer Leah Shapiro was sick and the show was most likely going to get cancelled. I made the tough decision to cancel my trip, thinking that the illness was probably just a bad case of the flu and that all was fine and that I'd just save my trip for another time. The next day, as I was feeling regretful for canceling and wishing I had boarded that plane, the news finally came from Leah herself regarding her illness.
She shared with us her personal story of what the last few months have been like for her as she started showing symptoms of what would later be diagnosed as Chiari Malformation, a condition that affects the fluid from the brain stem. Because this was affecting her playing, the band regretfully announced that they would have to cancel this and any other upcoming shows in the near future so that Leah could have surgery and recover to get back to being the beautiful badass behind the kit she is. Immediately, love and support from fellow fans and friends came pouring in and we were all left wondering how we could help. My friends still attended the music festival BRMC was supposed to play and I just felt so sad being away from them during this time. It really hit us all so hard that one of the brightest souls on the planet could be having to fight this battle and I can't imagine the fear and worry that she must also be going through as her livelihood is put on hold while she waits for relief.
Leah has a smile that radiates whenever you see it. You just want to be near her light. I was late in joining this family and wasn't around during the Nick Jago days, but it is clear that since she has joined BRMC, she has brought something completely different to the band that has bonded them closer together. They truly are like brothers and sister. I had the amazing opportunity to say "hi" and meet Leah after their show in New Orleans last year. She was rushing to meet friends as they were heading out on the road in just under an hour, but she took the time to let me tell her how much their music meant to me and that I loved watching her play. She even took a picture with me, which sometimes getting her after a show can be a little difficult. The fact that she did that when she could have just blown me off cemented why these three are so special in my heart. I've grown up around music all my life, but it wasn't until I first saw Leah play that I was drawn towards her thriving beat of the drums. Even when I listen to their albums, I just listen in awe at how fierce yet delicate she really is. Her fierceness and drive will be what carries her through this along with all of the love and support from the rebel family across the world.
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| Leah and I after the Civic Theater show in New Orleans last year. |
And family is what we indeed are. In less than a week after a Go Fund Me account, entitled Pass the Helmet for Leah, was set up by my good friend and brother iAN Ottaway, we are already halfway to our goal of $33,300.00 which will go towards her surgery taking place at the end of November along with her subsequent recovery. The band has also released a special edition "I Want to Beleah" t-shirt which will also go towards this very special cause. I believe the first day those shirts were on sale, they had already sold out of almost every size, another testament to how special this band is to its fans. We still have a ways to go, but every little bit helps and it just keeps that spirit alive that there are still a lot of really good people out there. I can't wait to be back with my rebel family watching Leah, Robert and Peter take the stage that first time after her recovery. Until then, her light will continue to shine brightly as she blazes through this journey with a world of love by her side.
