The Flaming Lips drummer addresses Steven Drozd’s exit: “The music, and the show is better than ever”
The Flaming Lips drummer Matthew Duckworth Kirksey has addressed the exit of longstanding member Steven Drozd.
Last week, Drozd took to Threads to confirm in a since-deleted comment on Threads that his tenure with The Flaming Lips had come to an end after more than 30 years with the band.
Drozd responded to a fan who asked if he remained a member of the group, “They’re done with me – but we’re not talking about it. So yes I’m moving on. Just keep it to yourself for now. OK?”
Notably, The Flaming Lips have been performing live for several months without Drozd and have not clarified the reasoning for their new line-up featuring AJ Slaughter.
However, following Drozd’s comments, Kirksey took to Instagram to address the situation. He began by writing, “Man… hard to read a lot of these comments. Being in a band, for a long time, that never really stops touring is hard. Some People can hack it for 5 years, some people can hack it for 25 years… A lot of great friends and better people have come and gone along the way. I still love them, and miss them, and some of them are my family.”
After sharing his gratitude to former members of The Flaming Lips, Kirksey then talked up the newest line-up of the band, adding, “I just want to say… If you haven’t heard this newest iteration of the band, give us a shot. The music, and the show is better than ever. And remember… NONE of this ever happens without Wayne.”
Kirksey continued to praise Wayne Coyne, who he believes is the linchpin of the band rather than Drozd, adding, “This idea that Steven was THE musical genius, and Wayne is just some weirdo artist… Its just not true. Wayne pushes the creativity, the sound, and the show forward, like no artist I’ve ever been around.”
The drummer continued,” It’s Wayne’s drive to be great that makes it all possible. Always has, always will. Derek has been is this band for 16 years. I’ve been in it for 12 years. It’s our blood, sweat, and tears as well. We’ve given our whole selves to this thing… Because we love it, and believe in it.”
He ended his lengthy statement by confirming that new music from The Flaming Lips is on the way, concluding, “There is new music on the way and I think it’s the best thing we’ve done in ages. I can’t wait for you to hear it. Come see us this summer if you get a chance. Happy Holidays!”
Next summer, they will return to Europe for a run of shows, including Latitude Festival, a date at The Piece Hall in Halifax on July 23rd, as well as dates in Galway, InMusic in Zagreb, Belgrade, Prague, and Vienna.
Never Miss A Beat
The Far Out Music Newsletter
All the latest music news from the independent voice of culture.
Straight to your inbox.