Scott Lucas, the lead singer of Chicago alt-rockers Local H, has revealed a brutal post-show attack in Russia that left him with damaged vocal cords and forced the band to cancel shows.

“Here’s what happened: A month ago, after a date in Moscow, I was assaulted and robbed,” the post continued. “The attacker came up from behind and put me in a chokehold until I passed out. When I came to, I was in a stairwell with all of my pockets empty. No phone, no wallet, no cash, and (worst of all) no passport. Nothing. Even my hat and glasses were gone. It wasn’t until I found someone to ask for help that I realized something else was gone – my voice. When I opened my mouth to ask that person to call me a taxi, nothing but a scratchy croak would come out. I touched my throat and could feel that more damage had been done than I initially thought. A purple bruise began to form. I was having trouble swallowing. Fucking Russia…”

Lucus goes on to explain how he soon realized his throat was severely injured, leading him to find a voice doctor through MusiCares, the foundation created by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences whose mission is to “provide a safety net of critical assistance for music people in times of need.”

The doctor discovered that one of Lucas’ vocal cords had been badly damaged, though to what extent is still unknown.

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