The Flaming Lips Share Drummer’s Statement on Steven Drozd’s Departure

Final week, Steven Drozd revealed in a since-deleted post that he’s now not in the Flaming Lips after an almost 35-year-long run. The band hasn’t formally launched its personal assertion, and neither has Wayne Coyne, however their present drummer Matthew Duckworth Kirksey did share some ideas in an Instagram post at present in collaboration with the band’s official account.

“A whole lot of nice pals and higher folks have come and gone alongside the best way. I nonetheless love them, and miss them, and a few of them are my household,” wrote Kirksey, who joined the Flaming Lips again in 2014. “This concept that Steven was THE musical genius, and Wayne is just a few weirdo artist… Its simply not true.”

Kirksey goes on to elucidate how laborious it’s to be in a band for a very long time, going as far as to name their rehearsals “brutal” however “fucking FUN,” and credit Coyne’s drive as making all of it worthwhile. He additionally revealed that the Flaming Lips are releasing new music quickly and referred to as it “the very best factor we’ve finished in ages.”

Learn Kirksey’s full assertion beneath:

“Man… laborious to learn loads of these feedback. Being in a band, for a very long time, that by no means actually stops touring is difficult. Some Folks can hack it for five years, some folks can hack it for 25 years… A whole lot of nice pals and higher folks have come and gone alongside the best way. I nonetheless love them, and miss them, and a few of them are my household. I simply wish to say… If you have not heard this latest iteration of the band, give us a shot. The music, and the present is healthier than ever. And bear in mind… NONE of this ever occurs with out Wayne. This concept that Steven was THE musical genius, and Wayne is just a few weirdo artist… Its simply not true. Wayne pushes the creativity, the sound, and the present ahead, like no artist I’ve ever been round. Being in The Lips is difficult… I bear in mind earlier than I used to be within the band, I might see them rehearsing for hours and hours and suppose… man… thats brutal. However when you get to be part of that imaginative and prescient… its fucking exhilarating. Its fucking FUN. Its Wayne’s drive to be nice that makes all of it potential. All the time has, at all times will. Derek has been is that this band for 16 years. I have been in it for 12 years. It is our blood, sweat, and tears as effectively. We have given our entire selves to this factor… As a result of we like it, and imagine in it. There’s new music on the best way and I feel its the very best factor we have finished in ages. I can not wait so that you can hear it. Come see us this summer season if you happen to get an opportunity. Comfortable Holidays!”