Important message from Steve Smyth, 4/30/06

..pretty in depth info on his site. It's nice to see a public figure
get "real" and talk about the technical stuff, unlike the big heads in pop culture who spin or say "no comment". Just one observation...I think that front page pic should be one of steve getting crazy onstage rather than the one where everyone says he looks to be frowning.
I wish better health to all the guys with minimal distractions!

The mortal sucks...
 
awww man, thats some hardcore shit happening to the Nevermore guys. I wish youguys the best of luck and a speedy non-pain filled recovery!
 
uhhhhh, steve, if you can wait it out til the end of the year, ill see if you can receive mine free of charge. i first need to do a bunch of clinical trials so i can get myself together financially(im also writing a book about clinical trials)

heres me on the news a couple years ago talking about kidney sales(no this isnt a joke, that is me)
http://youtube.com/watch?v=mecpw217BNM&search=livingston

if you can wait til the end of the year, im o positive, drug and disease free.

get in touch brandonfromohio@yahoo.com
www.myspace.com/brandonfromohio
 
SSJ4SephirothX said:
I just got off of the phone with my drummer.

Apparently, he talked to his old singer (Lance) about a month ago and Lance told him that Steve was admitted into the hospital at that time. If that's true (which I don't see why it isn't), then this news of course is a month late.

Lance also mentioned that Steve was currently living in Britan, which I don't know is true or not.

Then, Scott (my drummer) went off telling stories about Steve. He mentioned at one gig, Scott and this chick were smoking a joint in a room at the venue. Steve went in and got a contact high so badly that Scott could see Steve's eyes glazed over like mad during the show. This was at a venue named Magnolia's. He said that Steve would smoke weed and then stop smoking for a long time and that alcohol was his drug of choice (and mine too). Of course, Scott is an alcoholic too since he's in the military now.

He also told me of when Steve called him to come over to his house for a BBQ when he was married to his first wife, Carrie (who was featured in a Skitzo video, who Scott used to be the drummer for). He said that they got lit and farted so much, they stunk up the kitchen.

I just find it funny how the world is so small that my drummer used to play and be friends with Steve. He seemed to show a little concern but apparently, after Steve joined Testament, they stopped talking. Like I said, the last time they talked was two or three years ago.

NP: Nevermore - I, Voyager
amazing, man. thanks for sharing. ... ....
 
from blabbermouth:

NEVERMORE guitarist Steve Smyth (ex-TESTAMENT) — who was recently diagnosed with end-stage kidney failure (the result of a congenital birth defect) — has posted the following message on his official web site:

"Hi, everyone. Just wanted to clue everyone in as to my situation, and why you will see me in very limited fashion onstage with NEVERMORE in the coming months.

"Around mid-October 2005, I was in a London hospital, undergoing arthroscopic surgery for my right knee, which turned out had been badly sprained during our last headlining show in Athens, Greece two days earlier.

"During my stay at the hospital, numerous blood tests were done, one of which revealed that the level of protein in my body, better known in medical terms as creatinine, was raised well beyond a normal level, 4.9. Normal is 1-2. I was advised by doctors there to see my MD as soon as I got back home, which was following our tour with OPETH in the U.S., around late November 2005.

"After several blood tests, urine tests, and ultimately, X-rays, ultrasounds, and CT scans, doctors came to a few conclusions about my condition. It was revealed that I was born with one kidney, and because of a congenital birth defect, I had an obstruction on my ureter, which was causing my solitary kidney to 'eat' itself over the years, to a point where it is now 85% destroyed. Now, as of late April 2006, I am facing 'complete renal failure' within 6 months. This is called end stage renal failure, or CKD, of which I am on the edge of Stage 4-5. I have had 'stent placement' surgery, around 3 months ago, and that seemed to help things for a bit, but things haven't really changed either.

I have been advised by my doctors that I could continue to tour, but that I might not make it through the next one, which would be the IN FLAMES tour. I have had both a doctor and a registered nurse/transplant coordinator tell me that I could go ahead with touring, but this 'failure' could occur at any time, and through the process of weekly blood tests, I would be aware well in advance of when to 'come off the road.'

"To be fair to myself and out of concern for my lovely fiancée, family, my closest friends, and out of respect and fairness to the band, our crew, and especially the fans of NEVERMORE, I decided it is best not to pursue this tour. However, I will perform at the European Festivals in June, Gods of Metal (Italy), Rock Hard (Germany), Rott Fest (Ireland), and Sweden Rock Festival, after which time doctors will have determined the next step in treatment for me.

"The suggested treatment is a kidney transplant, for which I have so far comprised a list of a few willing donors, and hope to be able to find more along the way. The wait time for a deceased donor is 3-5 years (in the event that my list of donors does not work out), with the worst case scenario being that I will end up on dialysis, waiting that entire time to receive a kidney.

"In the meantime, I intend to carry on developing my internet teaching business, pursuing a teaching career at a top notch music school (those that know me know I have been a private teacher for the last 20 years in my 'off time'), and to finish my instrumental project album, 'The EssenEss Project', with Steve Hoffman and Atma Anur, which is already about 75% tracked. For more info on both, please don't hesitate to visit www.stevesmyth.com or send me an email. I'll gladly add you to my e-mailing list!

"The band has hired on Chris Broderick [JAG PANZER] to fill in for my absence during this time, and I have complete faith that Chris will go out there and kick ass and do a great job!

"To really be completely honest about how I feel physically, and mentally, I have to admit, I feel fine! I have had to quit drinking, smoking, and change my diet, all pretty big changes, and all not without their challenges! But I have met each one along the way, head-on, and succeeded, the same way I have approached, and intend to beat, this! I do feel tired every now and again, but it feels no different than the way I have always felt. Maybe because I have had this for my entire life and not known it, and am therefore used to it. That's the funny thing I suppose about CKD. You don't really know you have it, and as long as doctors detect it early, they can do something about it. As for how I feel mentally, I am upset about not being able to tour, which is something I still love to do, and something I think a lot of musicians out there take for granted.

"I love travelling, playing for people, meeting new faces, and seeing old familiar ones as well, seeing new places, and revisiting old ones! I am going to miss that a lot, and definitely cherish what I have experienced in my 'metal' life so far, and can only hope I will be able to do more in the future. I also don't take for granted the time I have spent in various bands I have been in, including my time in VICIOUS RUMORS, TESTAMENT, DRAGONLORD, and NEVERMORE. Many memories, a lot of great times, working with a ton of awesome musicians and incredible music industry people along the way, recording some killer metal albums, and a lot of great gigs/tours I'll never forget, getting to meet/share stages with my heroes, working with great musical instrument companies, and working with awesome guitar magazines, the list goes on and on!

"I will say this for now: I will fight this, and I will be back!

"If anyone out there has some information to share, or just wants to give a shout, please don't hesitate to e-mail me at steve@stevesmyth.com. I'd love to hear from you."


It's great that steve is being so positive. My thoughts are with you man.
 
a great photo of steve from the san francisco show :headbang: :

sf06-steve01.jpg
 
Hey Steve,

I don't know what to say man. Get well soon!!!

Best wiches from Holland, stay strong and hang in there, talk to you soon and we hope to see you @ Rockhard next month.

Take care bro, we love you.

Eus, Talitha, Martina & Alwin

ps. We hope to see you again like this, shredding up some places in Europe!!!

nevermore050927-22.jpg
 
Get better Steve! We'll miss you on the tour.

But on a side note, how cool would it be to say that you gave your kidney to a member of a major rock band.... I'd do it.
 
All of my love and good thoughts to you Steve ! Get well fast and come back strong all your fans are pulling for you & thanks for being so kind for the pics and the chat ( again ) your a really great guy
 
Get well and someone donate Steve a kidney...well, if you're a proper match. I knew of a friend that died of renal failure, not nice, and dialysis sucks!

Get well Steve, and Jim too!
 
damn. when i saw the thread title i thought it had to be a joke :(

take it easy steve! if you have any troubles getting a donor, you've got a bunch of willing individuals here!

all the best to you. we're all supporting you and keeping you in our thoughts *hugssss*