Silverchair Cancels Concerts

SYDNEY, Au. (Silverchair official Website) - The Australian rock trio Silverchair has canceled all their upcoming concerts because lead singer and guitarist Daniel Johns is suffering from a severe case of reactive arthritis.

"I am truly sorry that I am not able to do the touring we had planned for so long," the 23-year-old said in a statement released Friday. "I apologize for the inconvenience these cancellations will cause. I am doing everything humanly possible to try and get well, but lately things have just kept getting worse."

Johns contracted the disease late last year, and has had trouble recently fighting the virus that triggers this form of arthritis, the band said. His symptoms include chronic swelling of the joints, resulting in impaired movement and extreme pain.

Ticketholders for shows scheduled in New York and London the next two weeks will receive full refunds. The band also had plans to perform a series of shows in the United States , Canada and Europe in upcoming months.

The guys in Silverchair were just 15 when their 1995 debut album, "Frogstomp," went double platinum, featuring the hit "Tomorrow." Their fourth album, "Diorama," is scheduled for release in the United States on July 30.