Co-founder and multi-instrument player dude Chris Walla has left Death Cab for Cutie after 17 years. The divorce was amicable.
“I will miss being a quarter of this band and will support whatever course Death Cab for Cutie chooses from here,” Walla said in a statement. “I am profoundly grateful to Ben, Nick and Jason for the experiences that define my adult life. Truly grateful, beyond words. Thank you.”
No hard feelings, bro.
“We’ve had an incredible 17 years of making music with Chris and are very proud of what we’ve accomplished together, including our eighth studio album, which we have just put the finishing touches on,” stated Walla’s bandmates Ben Gibbard, Nick Harmer and Jason McGerr. “We will miss Chris and wish him all the best in the next chapter of his career. We’re excited about sharing new music, and seeing all of you very soon.”
Chris was responsible for the DCFC sound having produced their first 7 albums. Their 8th is due out in 2015.
“Deciding to leave the band was not, and is not, easy,” he says. “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.”
Wow. I can see what they mean when they say Chris was responsible for their style. Dude talks like a 15-year-old goth girl’s diary.