The Arctic Monkeys have just kicked bassist Andy Nicholson off the tour bus, according to recent reports:
The remaining Monkeys confirmed in a statement posted Monday on their Website that Nicholson will not be rejoining his mates after bowing out of their North American schedule last month, ostensibly to take a breather from the Sheffield, England-based band’s increasingly hectic life in the spotlight.
“We are sad to tell everyone that Andy is no longer with the band,” frontman Alex Turner, guitarist Jamie Cook and drummer Matt Helders said.
“Nick O’Malley, who stood in for Andy while he was absent from the recent tour of North America, shall carry on playing bass for the remaining shows this summer. We have been mates with Andy for a long time and have been through some amazing things together that no one can take away. We all wish Andy the very best.”
Um, that was fast. How long have these guys even been on this round of touring? Like a week, maybe?
Oh, wait, nope: It was a full two weeks. That’s MUCH better. Twice as good, even.
