Shayley Bourget Leaves Of Mice & Men

Early in 2012, Of Mice & Men released a statement saying that they will be returning to the studio to record their third full-length album. All of this progress soon slowed by the February 9th announcement that clean vocalist and bass guitarist Shayley Bourget would no longer be in the band. There has been much speculation about why Bourget chose to leave the band, but the main reason is believed to be that he has been struggling through depression and a drug addiction that was taking over his life. According to the band and himself, Bourget was not only bringing himself down but he was bringing the rest of the band down as well. I recently went to a Of Mice & Men show when they were headlining the Monster Energy Outbreak Tour and Shayley was not at the concert for an unnamed reason and apparently there were many other dates on the tour that he wasn't at either. There are no hard feelings whatsoever between the band and the former vocalist; according to Bourget he still thinks of every member as a friend and part of his family. So, although this may seem like a bad thing for many OM&M fans out there, Bourget is taking responsibility and is doing what is best for himself and the band by leaving. I think as not only metalcore fans but human beings, we can all respect that and wish him the best of luck recovering from whatever he is going through. Below is a video released by Of Mice & Men speaking out about Bourget's departure and the reason for it.