Breaking Benjamin frontman Benjamin Burnley recently discussed the band’s upcoming European tour and revealed his unusual travel arrangements, as reported by Jesea Lee.
Burnley explained his decision to travel by boat rather than fly with his bandmates, citing his fear of flying as the primary reason.
“I’m heading to Europe towards the end of the month. And I don’t fly, so I have to take a boat out there, so I have to leave a week earlier than everybody else. Yeah, [I’m afraid of flying]… And as long and drawn out as the ship is, and as boring as it is, every time I’m, like, ‘Oh, man,’ I just think about flying and I’m, like, ‘Okay, I’m good, actually,'” Burnley said.
The frontman also acknowledged the irony of his travel preferences given his profession.
“Honestly, I don’t like traveling in a… I’m really in the wrong profession. And I don’t like traveling or speed in any way. I don’t like going fast. I certainly don’t like being high… So I’m not that comfortable with [being on a ship] either. It’s just you pick the lesser of the evils, kind of thing,” he continued.
This means Burnley will need to depart a full week before the rest of his band members to accommodate the longer sea voyage to Europe.
Burnley’s fear of flying is not a new development. It has significantly impacted the band’s touring capabilities throughout their career. This phobia has been a consistent challenge for Breaking Benjamin, affecting their ability to tour internationally and reach fans across the globe.
UPI reported that Burnley has previously opened up about the extent of his fears, stating “I have a fear of flying, a fear of traveling at high speeds, heights, the dark — all that kind of stuff.” This comprehensive list of phobias extends beyond just aviation. It encompasses multiple aspects of travel and performance that are integral to a musician’s career.
The frontman’s struggles with these fears actually became a creative catalyst for the band. Breaking Benjamin Central Wiki noted that his fear of flying directly influenced their 2006 album Phobia. The cover depicts a winged man hovering above the ground as a representation of Burnley’s aviophobia. This album transformed his personal anxieties into artistic expression, showing how the band channeled these challenges into their music.
This is not the first time Burnley has made the arduous sea journey to Europe for touring purposes. ThePRP documented that in 2016, both Burnley and drummer Shaun Foist endured a 9-day voyage from the United States to the United Kingdom due to his severe aviophobia. The commitment to reaching European fans despite these personal challenges demonstrates the band’s dedication to their international audience.
Despite the significant inconvenience and additional time required for sea travel, Burnley continues to find ways to connect with Breaking Benjamin’s global fanbase. His willingness to embark on lengthy ocean voyages rather than compromise his mental well-being shows both the severity of his condition and his professional commitment to the band’s touring obligations.
