Nonpoint drummer Robb Rivera has issued a new video update following his recent brief hospitalization. After suffering an elevated heart rate mid-show in Louisville, KY, EMTs were dispatched and took the drummer to a local hospital, where he underwent treatment and testing. The incident occurred late in the band’s January 12th set at the Mercury Ballroom.
In his below update Rivera confirms that he will continue on with the band’s ongoing tour and also took the time to fire back at those who insinuated his recent health scare was a result of substance abuse. Here’s what he had to say [transcribed by theprp.com]:
“What’s up? Robb here, sitting here on the riser here at Hangar 1819 in Greensboro, North Carolina. We’re about to load in because we’re playing tonight. I want to thank everybody at the George Hospital in Louisville that took care of me, and they just looked out after me. It was a very stressful 24 hours — overwhelming and emotional, 24 hours — and scary, and I never want to go through that again.
I had an elevated heart rate, they were able to bring it down within five seconds, which is crazy. Did a bunch of tests, everything was clear. And I’m here to rock out and continue the Painful Statements Tour, but I do have something that I need to get off my chest: To the people that said that this was due to drugs. Shame on you. If anybody knows me out there, [they know] that I do not use drugs at all or drink alcohol.
Back in the day, I used to drink little sips. I never been alcoholic, never been a drug addict. To those people that said that, I could easily go off on you, I’m not stopping down to your level. So anyway, to the people that have reached out to me. I love you tonight, Painful Statements. Greensboro, North Carolina, Florida, coming home to you, see ya.”
The remaining dates for the band’s joint anniversary celebrating “To The Pain” and the 25th anniversary of “Statement” will roll out as follows with Crobot & Heartsick as support:
01/14 Greensboro, NC – Hangar 1819
01/15 Chattanooga, TN – Barrelhouse Ballroom
01/17 St. Petersburg, FL – Jannus Live
01/18 Fort Lauderdale, FL – Culture Room
01/19 Orlando, FL – The Beecham
01/21 Greenville, SC – Radio Room
01/22 Virginia Beach, VA – Elevation 27
01/23 Fredericksburg, VA – Hard Times Four Mile
01/25 Columbus, OH – King Of Clubs
