moe. have announced they will be going on an indefinite hiatus starting August 1, 2017, due to bassist Rob Derhak’s recent cancer diagnosis. The band announced both the diagnosis and hiatus in a note to fans on their website.

Derhak writes that he was diagnosed with oropharyngeal cancer early last week. The disease affects the oropharynx, a specific part of the pharynx in the throat. The bassist notes that he’d “known something wasn’t quite right for a while” but “wasn’t expecting to get this news.”

“The prognosis is good, and the survival rate is high,” Derhak continues. “Unfortunately the treatment will be rough on my body, and my voice. I will be out of commission for the foreseeable future, which means, moe. will be going on an unplanned hiatus.”

moe. write that they will still be playing their remaining scheduled July shows in New York City and at Idaho’s Huckleberry Jam, along with their performance with Phil Lesh at Lockn’ Festival next month.

Read the full notes from the band and Derhak below.

Due to unforeseen circumstances, moe. will be going on indefinite hiatus effective August 1st, 2017.

We will play our remaining 2 shows in July (7/21 NYC, 7/28 Huckleberry Jam), as well as our Lockn’ Festival appearance with Phil Lesh. Other than these 3 shows, we will be closing our doors until further notice.
More info for the Summer Tour with Railroad Earth will be forthcoming in the next few days. Please give us some time to sort out the details.
Thank you all for your love & support.
We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. We look forward to seeing you down the road.
Love,
Rob, Chuck, Al, Jim, & Vinnie

A letter from Rob:

Early last week I was diagnosed with oropharyngeal cancer. Although I’d known something wasn’t quite right for a while, I wasn’t expecting to get this news. The prognosis is good, and the survival rate is high. Unfortunately the treatment will be rough on my body, and my voice. I will be out of commission for the foreseeable future, which means, moe. will be going on an unplanned hiatus. My treatments will begin in early August, and I will not be available for our planned summer tour. I’m very happy that we, as a band and a fan base, were able to successfully bring moe.down back this Summer and I thank you all for your support. My love for our music, my band mates, our crew, and all of you continually grows and I hope to be back on stage doing what I love to do sometime soon. Until then, know that I’m in good hands, and I’m forever grateful for all of your support.

Your Pal,

Rob