Fans have rushed to the plight of The Growl and their injured bassist, Marc Earley, after he was the victim of an unprovoked attack in the suburbs of Sydney in the early hours of Monday morning following the band’s appearance at the Sydney Laneway Festival.
Frontman Cameron Avery (also a member of fellow Perth band, Tame Impala) set up an online campaign to raise donations to foot the costs of medical surgery for his bandmate.
“Being a week to week working musician Marc doesn’t have health or income insurance,” wrote Avery on the GoFundMe campaign page; “If you can spare anything to help Marc make a full recovery and get through this tough spot a donation would be so appreciated.”
After word of the The Growl’s crowdfunding campaign spread, fans’ generosity saw the target of $20,000 being reached within 24 hours of going live, ensuring Earley can afford to undergo the occupational therapy sessions and meet the costly medical bills to rehabilitating the damage done to his playing hand.
“I am totally overwhelmed by the support and donations by the public in response to my injuries from Monday’s incident,” wrote the bassist in a statement issued overnight.
“My injury is very serious, with only a 50% chance of regaining normal movement. I will be going into surgery tomorrow and then entering in an intensive daily rehab program. I’m not expected to see the true idea of how successful the procedure was until the 12-month mark,” says The Growl bassist, who also teaches music, composes scores for film, and is an in-demand player in Perth’s jazz scene.
“This truly is my worst nightmare and while in the past few days it’s been incredibly hard comprehending the impact this injury will have on my abilities to keep playing music; seeing all the support from everyone has been the best positive distraction for me,” Earley adds.
Marc Earley peforming with The Growl at the Melbourne Laneway Festival
(Image: Len Panceki Source: Laneway Festival 2014 Melbourne Gallery)
Having already breached the $20K goal, the GoFundMe has reached nearly $25,000 (at the time of publication). The generosity ensures The Growl bassist is “able to get the best hand surgeon in WA as well be under the best rehab care available,” says Earley, who also expressed his sincere gratitude.
“I am eternally grateful for everyone’s support, as well my family, friends, band mates, and especially my brother Cam Avery for organising this whole fundraiser. It’s thanks to all of you that I have the best chance of recovering from this terrible incident,” he concludes.
Police are currently reviewing CCTV footage in an investigation of the attack on Earley, but have yet to charge any suspects.
“Any of you who know Marc, know him for the gentle, friendly and ever laughing bloke he is and didn’t deserve any of this,” wrote Avery in his moving plea to raise funds for his injured bandmate; “not only has this act of unprovoked violence caused Marc a lot of pain and distress it will severely impact his livelihood in the coming months.”
Earley’s rehabilitation process will mean that he misses out on the remaining dates of the Laneway Festival, in Adelaide and Perth. The Growl’s good friend and Pond frontman Nick Allbrook will be filling in on bass duties for the closing legs of the tour.
The injuries may also tragically leave The Growl bassist out of action for the band’s forthcoming trip to Austin, Texas as one of 55 Aussie bands playing SXSW 2014.
You can still donate to the ‘Please Help Marc!’ campaign here: http://www.gofundme.com/6nhi8w
Laneway Festival 2014 Set Times – Adelaide
Friday 7th February – Harts Mill, Port Adelaide
View/download the Adelaide Laneway Map here
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Laneway Festival 2014 Set Times – Perth
Saturday 8th February – Esplanade Park and West End, Fremantle
View/download the Perth Laneway Map here
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