Andrew Seward - bassist of Florida punk-rockers Against Me! - has left the band, it has been confirmed.
Seward held a place in the band for over 10 years, and has seen them go from strength to strength - from an underground band to charting inside the Billboard 200 Top 40. Now, he’s decided to part ways - but has promised that he’s still on good terms with his former bandmates.
Each of the three Against Me! stars have released a statement about the news via their official website - Seward himself wrote:
“I’ve left AM!. No drama here. I reached a point where I need to focus on other things. Respect to Laura and James. The last 10 years ruled.”
Guitarist James Bowman commented:
“It’s been an honor and privilege to stand on stage with Andrew for the past 10 years. I am sad to see him go, but I wish nothing but the best for him moving forward.”
Finally, the band’s transgender frontwoman Laura Jane Grace - formerly Thomas Gabel - left her statement, which reads:
“It’s heartbreaking to know that Andrew won’t be standing next to me out on stage the next time I stand upon one. I realize that at this point there’s a possibility that it may look pretty ridiculous to carry on playing under the name Against Me! If I didn’t feel like I had something that I really needed to say with the album we’ve been working on for the past year then I’d humbly hang the hat and move on.
“Andrew’s been a solid partner. Some of the best sleep I’ve ever gotten has been in the back of a 15 passenger van with him behind the wheel. He’s got a steady hand and has always been someone I’ve trusted. The definition of a good friend. I wish him all the best in his journey.”
Seward is the second member of the band to leave in the past six months, with short-time drummer Jay Weinberg also parting ways in December last year. The band’s sixth studio album ‘Transgender Dysphoria Blues’ is set for a release later this year - stick with Stereoboard for future information on the record, and to find out whether they hit the road in support of it.
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