D.R.I. Guitarist Undergoes Emergency Surgery

Founding member and guitarist Spike Cassidy of hardcore/metal crossover pioneers D.R.I. (DIRTY ROTTEN IMBECILES) underwent emergency surgery late last week for a severe blockage caused by the reversal surgery he had just three weeks earlier. He is now in a regular hospital room being watched closely for signs of infection since his intestines were so stretched out from the blockage.

Commented Spike's fiancée, Jana Perry: "[Spike's] prognosis is good. However, he will need to stay in the hospital another week, give or take a couple days.

"Needless to say, all D.R.I. shows that are scheduled for the month of October are now canceled and hopefully we can re schedule them all at a later date.

"We are bummed. We were looking forward to seeing friends and doing to those shows.

In 2004, Cassidy was diagnosed with colon cancer. He underwent surgery (a one-foot section of large intestine was removed through an eight-inch incision in his stomach on March 27, 2006),radiation and chemotherapy and was previously said to be winning the battle against the disease.

For more information on how you can donate to the Spike Cassidy Cancer Relief Fund, go to this location.

D.R.I.'s classic 1987 album "Crossover" was reissued in April 2010 via Beer City Records. Available on LP, CD and as a digital download, the LP was remastered by Bill Metoyer, who was the engineer for the original recordings. The CD and digital version of the reissue include the original 13 songs plus 11 bonus tracks.

For the past 29 years, D.R.I. has been the epitome of the aggressive, hardcore-punk thrash sound that we've all become accustomed to hearing. Throughout this time, they've been one of the few genuine underground bands to remain true to their pure punk roots. Still actively touring and recording, the only thing that may have changed is that they're a little older now, but time hasn't gotten the best of the DIRTY ROTTEN IMBECILES. They're still thrashing just as hard, and just as loud as ever, continuing to overload our senses with the sound that is, and will always remain, uniquely D.R.I.