The guitarist was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer earlier this year.
Surfer Blood guitarist Thomas Fekete has announced the release of a new demo cassette, written and recorded from his bedroom. While healing from surgery as part of his cancer treatment, Fekete wrote and recorded Burner, a collection of raw demo tracks. The cassette is available to listen to via Joyful Noise.
Fekete is currently receiving chemotherapy for a rare form of cancer. Following his diagnosis easier this year, Fekete released a statement (Via Pitchfork):
“A few months back I had a major surgery to remove a large tumor from my abdomen. I was diagnosed with a very rare and aggressive cancer (a sarcoma), which unfortunately has moved. A few days ago, my doctors informed me that it had spread to my lungs and my spine
The lesion on my lower spine will be treated with radiation, and I’ll also start chemotherapy this week. Because my cancer is so rare, there is very little research on it (cancer treatment is a business after all), so going to a typical doctor and getting loaded with all types of drugs would probably kill me. However, I found a doctor who is on the cutting edge of cancer treatments, and we have assembled a team of brilliant doctors who all seem to be extremely confident in an alternative treatment plan, to complement the chemotherapy. Because these doctors are doing things a bit differently, insurance will only cover a portion of my treatment. I never in my life thought that I would be asking for money publicly, but the universe works in funny ways.
Any bit of help would be massive for me, as I’m no longer able to tour and make a living, and my wonderful wife/best friend whom I just married in November will now be leaving work to help me throughout my treatment. If you can’t help, no worries whatsoever, all I ask is that you spread the word. Any extra funds collected when this is all said and done will be donated to further my doctor’s alternative cancer research. I not only feel great, but I am in great spirits, and I know this will soon be over like a bad dream. Please take care of yourselves, enjoy every single day. Life is beautiful. Love and light always”
He has since release a GoFundMe page to raise money for his treatment. His Surfer Blood bandmates have also auctioned off a series of unreleased 7″s to help fund treatment and to aid his recovery. Fekete has unveiled the new track ‘Treason’, as well as Burner’s track list, which you can check out below:
Loser Uncle
Ocean
Weather Press
Roll on River
Banklet
Knife Bank
Treason
Problems
Gold
Melk Mustache
Pick Up The Things That You Need
‘Treason’.