FRIGHTENED Rabbit made a comeback with two gigs in one day after the ill health of singer and co-founder Scott Hutchison raised fears about the band's future.

But there was further turmoil for the band on the day of the gigs with news that Scott's brother and band drummer Grant was splitting from the band for the time being.

Worries that the band may be in trouble came earlier this month when Scott Hutchison admitted he had a "meltdown" in which he invited fans not to buy his records and tweeted: "Goodbye to Frightened Rabbit."

He cancelled appearances at two German festivals, Haldern on August 13 and Rock Am See on August 20 to seek recovery after hinting his outbursts on social media were the result of alcohol and depression.

The Herald:

Frightened Rabbit at Bellahouston Park. Photo: Colin Bilby

On Friday, Hutchison and the band, formed in Selkirk 13 years ago, made a comeback by supporting Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds at the Glasgow Summer Sessions before travelling nearly 80 miles to the Scottish Borders to headline the opening night of this year's Stowed Out festival.

Worries about the band came after a series of tweets in which Hutchison said: "Turns out I'm a complete a*sehole. It's important that everyone knows. I'm not a particularly good person. So don't buy my records.

"I've really hurt people who are in my life and then made records out of that turmoil, when it was entirely my fault anyway.

"So I'd urge you to forget about the band, it's a complete farce. I don't deserve any of the things that have benefitted my life.

He concluded in a string of tweets put out on Friday that led to concerns about the band's future: "Goodbye to Frightened Rabbit. All it has ever been is me boring people with lies and making creative currency out of other people's hurt."

But days later he wrote that that it was not the end of the band and that he now had a "greater appreciation of the pitfalls of mixing alcohol, depression and social media".

His comments were punctuated by a drawing of a disturbed human brain.

"Sometimes there are more important things than playing shows and we wouldn't be pulling out if we didn't think it was necessary," he added.

He had not tweeted since August 10 when he said: "I sought entirely the wrong attention. If you're suffering, turn to your friends and family. Call someone, anyone.

"And stay the f*uk away from the internet. Bye for now. S."

But he broke his social media silence after the festival gig to thank the fans.

The Herald:

Meanwhile his brother said he was not calling time on his involvement with the band, but did not put a date on when he would return.

He said: "This band and the people involved with it are extremely important to me and to avoid jeopardising those relationships and the future of the band, I've decided it would be best for me to take a break from it all.

"This is not the end of my time with FR and although the decision was difficult, I feel it is the right one for me to make at this time and will ultimately be good for us all.

"So as not to let anyone down, the band will be continuing without me for now. There is some rebuilding to do that will require time, but I'm confident this is just a minor wobble and we'll be strong and steady again soon. Thank to the fans for your ongoing support, it means so much to me and to us all. Much love G x."

A statement from Frightened Rabbit said: "We are sorry to share that Grant will not be touring with FR on the upcoming dates. We support him in this and can’t wait to have him back with us soon."

It comes four months after Frightened Rabbit released their their fifth album, Painting of a Panic Attack created while he was living in Los Angeles.

They are best known for hit albums Pedestrian Verse and critically acclaimed LP The Midnight Organ Flight and songs such as Swim Until You Can't See Land, Keep Yourself Warm and The Woodpile.