Death Cab For Cutie yesterday announced that co-founder and lead guitarist Chris Walla has left the band after 17 years.
A statement from the band read:
“We’ve had an incredible 17 years of making music with Chris. We are very proud of what we’ve accomplished together, including our 8th studio album which we have just put the finishing touches on. We will miss Chris and wish him all the best in the next chapter of his career. We are excited about sharing new music, and seeing all of you very soon.” – Ben, Nick and Jason
The band did also state that Walla will be staying on the road with them on their upcoming summer festival appearances through to their performance at Rifflandia Festival on September 13th.
In a personal statement made on The Slog, Walla was somewhat vague on what the future held for him, but that he knew that he “long[ed] for the unknown”.
“Deciding to leave the band was not, and is not, easy. It’s really, really sad. I love my bandmates, and I’m proud of what we’ve done, and mercifully, those things don’t change with my departure. Moving forward, my plans are simply to continue making music, producing records, and erring on the side of benevolence and beauty whenever possible. Darkness may find me, but I shall never choose it.”
But the statements also brought some good news for Death Cab fans, as it was revealed that their upcoming and as-yet-untitled eighth studio album is slated for a 2015 release, so at least we have that to look forward to.
But Hit The Floor wish the best of luck to Chris and we have a sneaking suspicion that he shall grace these pages again in the future.
