Despite the band's optimistic words last month, TV On The Radio's bassist Gerard Smith passed away yesterday after battling with lung cancer over the last number of months.

The band have cancelled five dates in the US this week and released the following statement, "We are very sad to announce the death of our beloved friend and bandmate, Gerard Smith, following a courageous fight against lung cancer. Gerard passed away the morning of April 20, 2011. We will miss him terribly."

TVOTR's new album 'Nine Types Of Light' was released on Friday, an album that has just been completed before Smith received his diagnosis. He died aged just 34.