Flipper Enlist the Jesus Lizard's David Yow for Italian Tour

BY Gregory AdamsPublished Aug 3, 2015

San Francisco sex bombs Flipper have been maintaining an off-and-on schedule with the bulk of their original lineup since 1979, but a decades-old back injury has forced frontman Bruce Loose to retire from the band. All's not lost for the punk outfit, though, as they went fishin' for a new frontman, and managed to hook Jesus Lizard maniac David Yow for an upcoming Italian tour.

KQED [via Stereogum] reports that the band recently let it slip that the upcoming tour with Yow takes place this November, with a few California shows also being a possibility.

A statement from the group noted that the reason for Loose's retirement is a 1994 incident that left him with a broken back. He had undergone corrective spinal surgery, but reinjured his back in 2009. While he had previously headed out on the road for reunion shows, at one point in support of 2009 effort Love, Loose is no longer able to head out on the road.

"It has gotten to the point now where Bruce finds it impossible to continue with performing and touring," they wrote. "We want to thank Bruce for being part of what was a hell of a run from 1979 to now!"

While he's left Flipper, it's noted that Loose will continue working on a solo project. Yow, meanwhile, officially wrapped a reunion stint with the Jesus Lizard in 2012. He's currently living in Los Angeles as an actor and a painter.

The current line-up of Flipper has original members Ted Falconi (guitar) and Steve DePace (drums) joined by Yow and bassist Bruno DeSmartass, who previously played with the act in 1983 and from 2005 to 2006.

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