Hollywood Hard Rock Group Ampage Sounds 'Call to Arms" in Support of Fallen Band Brother

SAN FRANCISCO - Dec. 5, 2015 - PRLog -- It has been announced by the West Coast Rock band Ampage that their drummer, Michael Kroeger, has been diagnosed with Leukemia. He is currently hospitalized at the University of Indiana fighting for his life, while undergoing a very aggressive treatment of chemotherapy, radiation and a bone marrow transplant.

Michael Kroeger was in the studio in Point Arena, California, recording his drum tracks for their upcoming 6^th album “Bridge of Souls” (due out in January 2016), when he first had indications that something was not right with his health. Says Ampage lead singer Mark Mason, “Michael kept complaining about how weak and tired he felt. You would've never known how fatigued he was by the way he was killing it on the drums. Michael figured he was just out of shape--or maybe had a touch of the flu. He consulted his doctor…at which point he was told that he had Leukemia.”

Mason continues, “Michael flew back East to be near his family and checked himself into the University of Indiana hospital for treatment and has been there for over a month now battling this bone and blood cancer. The band has cancelled all upcoming concerts until Michael is well enough to play again. Ampage will be doing a few acoustic show fundraisers to help raise money for Michael, with all the proceeds from the album sales being donated for this cause until he is on his feet again. We all look forward to and pray that Michael has a speedy recovery and beats this cancer the way beats the drums, and hope to see him back doing what he is so passionate about. He has been my friend and drummer since high school, when we both started Ampage together. I am asking all of our fans to please pray for him.”

A “Go Fund Me” account has been set up to help offset Kroeger’s medical costs. You can view it here: https://www.gofundme.com/6f6sw9aw.

Hollywood-based “strip” band Ampage blasted onto the music scene in the mid 1980's--fusing Hard Rock with Modern Rock. Their sound packs a tenacious punch, weaving power and melody, passion and compassion. With a career stretching over multiple decades, they have shared the stage with other bands such as Eric Clapton, Def Leppard, Social Distortion, Guns N’ Roses, Billy Idol, and Dramarama,  just to name just a few.

The list of notables that have lent their talents to support Ampage is a virtual “who’s who” in the entertainment business…including producer Mitch Mitchel (Hendrix) producers Duane Baron (Ozzy, Cheap Trick) and Jeff Klaven (Krokus), John Taylor (Duran Duran), John Easdale (Dramarama), Rick Allen (Def Leppard), Gary Busey (“The Buddy Holly Story”, “A Star is Born”), Jeff Conaway (“Taxi”, “Grease”), Billy Wirth (“Lost Boys”) and Corey Feldman (“E.T.”, “Lost Boys”). Conaway produced all of the MTV videos for Ampage in the 1990’s.

The current Ampage lineup includes Mark Mason (lead vocalist, guitarist), Mark Pearce (lead guitar, vocals), Bill Stokem (bass) and of course, Michael Kroeger (drums).

Ampage is looking towards Kroeger’s recovery and the release of “Bridge of Souls”--with touring on the horizon throughout 2016 to promote their latest offering.

To learn more about the band Ampage, visit their website at: www.ampage.com. For additional information, interviews or media inquiries, contact Mark Mason at: ampage@earthlink.net.