We all know that keeping a band together can be tough; we’ve all seen (and loved!) That Thing You Do, but now Jay Reatard knows firsthand that a band often functions as a collective, and that sometimes communal projects simply fall apart once Europe gets involved (like with Russia, for instance).
While using Twitter, Jay Reatard had this to say: “Band quit! Fuck them! They are boring rich kids who can't play for ahit anyways ... Say hello to your ugly and boring wifes opps I mean lifes guys suck it." Apparently, Mr. Reatard was so broken up about the whole thing that he forgot how to use the DELETE key to erase his mistakes. Or perhaps he's trying to exhibit a certain level of authenticity?
So, yes, drummer Billy Hayes and bassist Stephen Pope have left the band and Reatard is, of course, looking for a couple new string and skin men. And, at the moment, none of Jay Reatard’s upcoming European or U.S. tourdates have been cancelled.