Longtime Sleater-Kinney drummer Janet Weiss has announced her departure from the group, issuing a statement saying that it’s “time for [her] to move on”.
Formed back in 1994 by former members of Heavens To Betsy and Excuse 17, few knew that Sleater-Kinney would soon become one of the most respected groups within the punk rock and riot grrrl genres.
Featuring the core members of Carrie Brownstein and Corin Tucker, Sleater-Kinney found themselves going through a few drummers in their early years – including Australia’s Laura Macfarlane – before welcoming Janet Weiss into the fold before the recording of their third album, 1997’s Dig Me Out.
Now, after more than 20 years as part of Sleater-Kinney, Weiss has announced her decision to leave the iconic group
Big changes. pic.twitter.com/PWWHMWDLU9
— Janet Weiss (@jazzzhand) July 1, 2019
View this post on Instagram
Sharing “a letter to the fans” on Twitter late last night, Janet Weiss explained that “after intense deliberation and with heavy sadness”, she had made the decision “to leave Sleater-Kinney.”
“The band is heading in a new direction and it is time for me to move on,” Weiss wrote. “I will never forget the heights we reached or the magnificent times Corin, Carrie and I shared.
“We were a force of nature. To the dearest SK fans – you’re the raddest fans in the universe and I love you. Experiencing the music together has been the honor of a lifetime. Thank you for sustaining me the past 24 years and for proving without a doubt that love and connection are what saves us.”
Sleater-Kinney soon released their own statement, wishing Weiss all the best for the future, before noting they are now looking towards the future.
“We are saddened by Janet’s decision to leave Sleater-Kinney,” the group wrote on Instagram. “It has been an incredible privilege to work with such a talented musician and drummer over the course of so many albums, including The Center Won’t Hold.
“We thank her for joining us on this journey many years ago; we will always cherish our friendship and our time together. We wish Janet all the best as she starts a new chapter in her life.
“We are so excited for everyone to hear the record, and to see you on the road this fall and beyond.”
As alluded to in the band’s Instagram post, Sleater-Kinney recently announced the release of their ninth studio album, The Center Won’t Hold, which is due for release this August.
At this stage, there’s no word as to who will be joining the band as their drummer in the future, but it looks as though we might receive more information closer to the new record’s release.
Check out ‘Hurry On Home’ by Sleater-Kinney:
