English hit makers, Kaiser Chiefs, were last in the country for a handful of sideshows in conjunction with the Groovin’ The Moo regional music festival earlier in the year – fresh from the release of their singles collection Souvenir – but fans looking forward to a return from the band will have to concede it will be without one of their founding members.
The band have confirmed that drummer and co-songwriter Nick Hodgson has departed the group, taking to their website to break the news to Kaiser Chiefs loyalists: “We can confirm that Nick has decided not to be in the band any more and that our show at Reading Festival in August was his last as a member of Kaiser Chiefs.”
Earlier, the drummer also took to his Twitter account to tell fans: “I can confirm I have left Kaiser Chiefs after 15 spectacular years. I’m moving on. I wish the rest of the band the very best!”
Energetic frontman Ricky Wilson swiftly offered a warm response, writing, “the door is on the latch and the key under the mat. X”
The statement on the Kaiser Chiefs website further adds that they’ve “all had a while to get used to it – we’ve got a bunch of shows next year and things are sounding great in the studio.” Confirming that the band would be forging ahead without their fellow band member, and that there was zero animosity between bandmates.“I can confirm I have left Kaiser Chiefs after 15 spectacular years. I’m moving on.”
Bassist Simon Rix even cheekily tweeted: “I can exclusively confirm we will still be collaborating on pints in pubs.”
Writing on the page of his own Chewdio record studio, Hodgson emphasises that his departure from Kaiser Chiefs after a decade-and-a-half’s service is to “turn my attention to other areas within the world of music and to pursue new challenges.” Namely, to focus on the Chewing Gum record label that he runs, and the accompanying Chewdio recording facilities. Which, as NME points out, has seen the likes of The Vaccines, Mark Ronson, and The Cribs’ Ryan Jarman all record material there.
“It has not been an easy decision and one that the boys and I have discussed throughout this year,” says Hodgson. “The band have been incredibly supportive of my decision. I wish them all continued success.”
The remaining members of Kaiser Chiefs begin their touring schedule early next year, but to ensure they continue never missing a beat, have begun the search for a replacement drummer.
