Arabic version: فرقة باغز تستعد لعروض مكتملة العدد في بريزبن

According to The Guardian, Bugs bassist Jordan Brunoli, 30, is receiving palliative care for stage four colorectal cancer after treatments were unable to stop the disease from spreading. The Brisbane band have released their fourth album, Head Noise, and will play two sold-out launch shows at Crowbar Brisbane on 10 and 12 September.

Brunoli said he was told in June that he had a prognosis of three to four months. He had major surgery resulting in a permanent stoma and underwent intensive chemotherapy, but a mutation causing rapid tumour growth meant treatment did not halt the cancer. He recently received a call about a potential medical trial involving an extreme chemotherapy dose, though he said he was unsure whether to pursue it after difficult side effects.

The album was made over three years before Brunoli’s diagnosis prompted the group to speed up its release. Guitarist and lead vocalist Connor Brooker said the news had given the band motivation to finish and put out the record. Brunoli, Brooker and drummer Brock Weston are meeting twice a week to rehearse and spend time together before the shows.

Brunoli said rehearsing is tiring and that he must account for his ileostomy bag while playing guitar, but he is determined to get on stage. He said the upcoming performances offer a major event to anticipate, while also bringing concern about how he may feel after they are over.

Supporters previously raised more than $100,000 through a GoFundMe campaign for Brunoli’s medical costs, and a fundraiser titled Saving A Bug’s Life was held at the Tivoli last October. With Head Noise now released, Brunoli said he is taking each day as it comes and encouraged practical acts of service for people living with cancer, such as helping with dishes or washing.