CROHN'S, COLITIS, AND ROCK 'N' ROLL
LIAM BEESON
Crohn’s/Colitis since 2013.
Q: What’s style of music do you play?
A: I play metal/hardcore music. I guess the most accurate term would be “Progressive deathcore” due to the amount of technicality and overall heaviness of the music.
Q: What’s your band’s name?
A: “My Home, The Catacombs.”
Q: What’s your favourite song to play as a band?
A: Our favourite song to play is probably our new single called, “For every crown a king.”
Q: What’s the craziest thing that’s ever happened to you while touring?
A: We were in Red Deer, Alberta on tour, hanging outside the venue after the show, just about to leave. Our friends in the other band pulled out and drove away and, just as we turned out headlights on, across the parking lot we saw some crackhead junkie shooting up and twitching violently. He noticed our headlights and started running towards us and waving his needle. It was almost comedic because we knew we were safe inside the van, but we managed to escape just in time from him getting close to us.
Q: What additional challenges do you face in your music career because of IBD?
A: I think the biggest challenege is obviously maintaining my overall health both medically and mentally. It’s one thing to be sick with Crohn’s/Colitis, but to be living in a van eating crappy food on the other side of the country for 30 days on top of that is a whole other situation. I’ll most likely always be on prescription medications and Remicade infusions, so finding the time and planning ahead to make sure I’m all caught up and stocked up is really key. I am forever hoping my sickness doesn’t get to the point where it will prohibit me from fulfilling my dreams.
Q: How did you tell your bandmates that you have IBD?
A: One of my vocalists and my bassist have been in the band with me for quite some time now and witnessed me go through my lowest, and my sickest times. And my drummer and other vocalist joined later on when my sickness was irrelevant and resolved for the most part. I honestly have no problem talking about it. It’s part of life, and I know they won’t judge me on it. Why would they? I just told them whenever an appointment came up, or maybe stories that related came up so I would give my two cents on how I’ve had surgery and been really sick before. Talking about it is no big deal and the sooner it gets done, the sooner everyone can be on the same page and can understand the situation.
Q: What advice do you have for aspiring musicians who also suffer from IBD?
A: Be open and be honest. If something doesn’t feel right, get it checked out. ALWAYS take things seriously and listen to your body. You absolutely have to eat properly and know what your body can accept and decline. At the same time, overcome your sickness and live your dreams. Fight back and show your disease who is boss. Being away from your doctor and your home environment is very dangerous if you aren’t careful. Just know your limits.
Q: What can we expect from your band in the future?
A: Tours, music releases, music videos, merch, promotional pictures, potentially management and booking agency announcements. We have a lot planned. It’s just a matter of getting work Visas for the USA and financially being able to cover everything
we have set our minds to.
