Scott Lucas, the lead singer of Chicago alt-rockers Local H, has revealed a brutal post-show attack in Russia that left him with damaged vocal cords and forced the band to cancel shows.

“First Morrissey, then Animal Collective, and now this,” Lucas explained in a lengthy post on the Local H Facebook page, referencing two other acts recently forced to cancel shows due to illness. “After weighing all of our options, it looks like we’re going to have to cancel the first 3 dates of the Local H tour – that’s March 21, 22, and 23. We don’t take this decision lightly and we’re deeply sorry for it.

“Here’s what happened: A month ago, after a date in Moscow, I was assaulted and robbed,” the post continued. “The attacker came up from behind and put me in a chokehold until I passed out. When I came to, I was in a stairwell with all of my pockets empty. No phone, no wallet, no cash, and (worst of all) no passport. Nothing. Even my hat and glasses were gone. It wasn’t until I found someone to ask for help that I realized something else was gone – my voice. When I opened my mouth to ask that person to call me a taxi, nothing but a scratchy croak would come out. I touched my throat and could feel that more damage had been done than I initially thought. A purple bruise began to form. I was having trouble swallowing. Russia…”

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