Mogwai drummer hospitalised

Mogwai drummer Martin Bulloch was taken to hospital in New York recently, following the band's performance at an All Tomorrow's Parties festival, due to trouble with his heart. Bulloch suffers from a heart condition and has a pacemaker fitted.

The band hope to begin their European tour in Edinburgh on 21 Oct, as scheduled, however; a statement on the band's website reads: "We are sad to announce that we have had to cancel our remaining American and Canadian shows due to ill health. Our other dates in Europe and Japan will be going ahead as planned. We will re-schedule the shows in 2009".

Bulloch himself is quoted as saying: "I was taken into hospital last night almost immediately after the show at ATP. I've been having some problems with my pacemaker for the duration of the tour and it unfortunately culminated in me being sent to the emergency room. The doctors there initially thought I would have to have corrective surgery at a larger hospital nearer NYC but I have been given the all clear to travel home on the understanding that I go straight to my cardiologist on arrival back in Scotland. To be honest, I'm really bummed about having to go home and feel for the folk who had bought tickets for our upcoming shows but I can honestly say it would be almost impossible for me to carry on at this point as my pacemaker has broken skin and the surrounding area has become infected."

Nasty stuff. Rhythm wishes Martin a speedy recovery. You can read an interview with him in the forthcoming November issue of Rhythm on sale 28 October.