Last week, in a since-deleted Threads post, Steven Drozd revealed that he’s no longer in the Flaming Lips after a 35-year-long run. Now, the band’s current drummer Matthew Duckworth Kirksey has addressed the departure in a statement on Instagram, shared in collaboration with the Flaming Lips’ official account.
“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,” Kirksey wrote. “This idea that Steven was THE musical genius, and Wayne is just some weirdo artist… Its just not true.”
He went on to describe the band’s rehearsals as “brutal” but “fucking FUN,” and ultimtely worth it. “There is new music on the way and I think its the best thing we’ve done in ages,” Kirksey added. “I can’t wait for you to hear it. Come see us this summer if you get a chance.” Check out the full statement below.
Commenting on the post, Drozd confirmed what many fans had suspected. “I only thought I was messaging with some kid on threads,” he wrote, adding, “I’m not claiming anything. So this feels not right to me.”
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